Why should it be certified?

The issue of certification has been debated for a long time. Here are some questions I am frequently asked:

*I graduated from a paralegal program, why should I take a certification exam?

* I have a paralegal certificate from a university, doesn’t that make me ‘certified’?

* I have a good job and several years of experience, how will being certified make a difference?

* What will those letters after my name really do for me?

I wholeheartedly support the paralegal certification process and believe it is an important career goal. Please consider the following points:

Having a certificate does not mean you are certified. A certificate is issued upon completion of an educational program, at which point you are certified. Certification involves passing an exam set by a sponsoring organization that generally has specific education and experience requirements for exam takers. Upon completion of the exam, you are certified.

The American Bar Association defines certification as ‘a process by which a non-governmental agency or association grants recognition to a person who has met certain predetermined requirements specified by that agency or association’.

I’m certainly not minimizing the importance of completing a paralegal program and earning your certificate or degree. In fact, I consider paralegal training to be essential. I am simply pointing out that there is one additional step you can take that will increase your professional profile. That step is certification.

Credential = credibility. Certification is a voluntary process and is not a prerequisite for paralegal employment. However, certification gives you credibility. It demonstrates that you have the knowledge base and skill necessary to pass the exam. It can also make you more marketable and can increase your earning potential.

Certification takes you off the level playing field. Graduation from a paralegal program (and thus certification) is the primary route by which people enter the paralegal profession. If everyone has a certificate, how will a potential employer judge the best candidate for the position?

Think about it, two paralegals side by side with the same certificate from the same school and the same amount of experience. How can one be distinguished from the other? The answer is certification. The certified paralegal demonstrates that he or she is a multi-skilled professional with diverse knowledge and effective communication skills.

Certification provides paralegals with an avenue for self-regulation. The issue of paralegal licensing is old news…it has been discussed to the last degree for more than a quarter of a century. Paralegals work under the supervision of a licensed attorney and do not provide their services directly to the public. For this reason, they do not need to be licensed.

Also, the license says that a person is ‘qualified’ to work. Does not demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills. An example is a hairdresser (and I have the highest regard for my hairdresser, believe me!). Barbers can enter the profession when they are licensed by a state agency. The license doesn’t say they have fantastic abilities, it just says they can perform the services. The certification credential is awarded to individuals who demonstrate their advanced knowledge and skills by meeting the standards of the accrediting organization.

Certification will do a lot for you personally. Ask anyone who has a credential and they will tell you that the achievement made them walk a little taller, made them feel stronger professionally, gave them incredible personal satisfaction, and increased their level of professional confidence. They set a goal and they achieved it. They took risks and survived. They have the credibility that the credential provides. They literally stand out above the crowd. Their achievement gave them great pride. You too can have all of that with a professional certification.

Another benefit you will get from the certification exam is the learning that takes place in preparation for the exam. Even the most experienced paralegal will learn something new and benefit from the intense review.

Additionally, you will typically be required to participate in continuing education programs to maintain your certification. This requirement will help you keep up with changes in the profession and in the legal field.

Additionally, the accrediting organization will generally set high ethical standards for those who use the credential. Unethical behavior will result in loss of credential.

Certification can give you a ‘head start’ when looking for a job. In today’s economy, you need all the ammunition you can muster to prove you’re the right person for the job. Having the certification credential behind you exhibits not only the advanced knowledge I mentioned above, but it also shows discipline, ambition, motivation, and a willingness to accept a challenge.

Which exam/certification credential is right for you? That is a personal decision. Many paralegal associations offer certification exams (ie, NALA, NFPA, NALS, and AAPI). There are also voluntary certification programs offered by some states…examples are North Carolina and Florida, but there are others. They all have different structure and eligibility requirements, as well as different continuing education and recertification requirements.

What is important is that the accreditation organization you choose is a bona fide entity, that the exam is administered according to rules and regulations in accordance with government laws, and in compliance with issues such as antitrust and fairness.

It is essential that the organization agrees to keep applications and records confidential. It is critical that the organization prepare an exam under the guidance of professional testing consultants, that the exam is continually reviewed for accuracy, and that it is regularly updated.

Generally, the certification designation is a certification mark duly registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Claims of certified status must be verifiable…in other words, if a paralegal claims to be certified, he or she must have the credential to prove it.

Can you ethically use the credential after your name? Yes! Be it CLA, CP, PP, RP, AACP, ACP, PLS, AVA, ALS, NCCP, etc. you can use it. The United States Supreme Court has addressed the issue of the use of credentials issued by private organizations. In Peal v. Illinois Bar Registry and Disciplinary Committee, 110 S.Ct. 2281 (1990), the Court suggests that a certification claim is true and not misleading if:

* The statement itself is true

* The bases on which the certification was granted are factual and verifiable

* The certification in question is available to all professionals in the field who meet relevant, objective and consistently applied standards

* The certification statement does not suggest a higher degree of professional qualification than can reasonably be inferred from an evaluation of the certification program requirements.

* There is a qualified organization behind the certification process

Of course, the credential cannot be used to mislead the public and represent something you are not.

How do you prepare for a certification exam? The thought of all that study may sound overwhelming. The thought of taking such a critical exam can be frightening. The key to success is preparation and planning. The best thing you can do is break the process down into steps:

* Decide which exam you will take.

* Decide when you will take the exam

* Working backwards from the test date, block off a period of time to study and determine a study schedule (I recommend three months, but that’s an individual decision)

* Plan how you will study and what reference materials you will need (these may be available from the accrediting organization)

* Join a study group and recruit ‘study buddies’ to hold you accountable

* Take advantage of educational and training opportunities offered by the accrediting organization as well as your professional association. For example, NALA offers an intensive three-day CLA review course as well as CLA prep courses at its convention.

Your challenge: If you already have a professional credential, congratulations! If you don’t, please put it at the top of your list. Follow the steps above and start planning your exam. You will never regret the time and effort it takes. You will always feel immense professional pride when you put those initials after your name!

© 2009 Vicki Voisin, Inc. Want to use this article in your newsletter, ezine, or website? You can, as long as you include all this hype: Vicki Voisin, “The Paralegal Mentor,” offers simple strategies for paralegals and other professionals to achieve success and satisfaction by achieving goals and determining the direction they will take in their races. Vicki highlights resources, organizational tips, ethics issues, and other areas of continuing education to help paralegals and others reach their full potential. She publishes a bi-weekly ezine titled Strategies for Paralegals Seeking Excellence. More information is available at http://www.paralegalmentor.com