Top Certifications to Boost Your Legal Career

Earning a professional certification in the legal profession, be it as a legal secretary, assistant, or paralegal or potential JD student, can help add to your knowledge and credibility, broaden your professional skill set, and help boost your career—and salary.

Whether you are thinking about entering the legal profession or want to advance your current career in the field, here are certifications to consider to help you stand out as a candidate and advance your career.

Certified Legal Secretary

Offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), the CLS certification recognizes professional skills and achievements in the legal secretary field. To qualify, you must have at least two years’ professional experience as a legal secretary, or work/education equivalent. The multiple-choice exam covers topics such as legal terminology, court procedures, ethics, and office management, and takes approximately three hours to complete.

Professional Legal Secretary

The PLS is offered through the National Association for Legal Support (NALS) and its exam covers general US legal knowledge and office skills. Candidates must also be versed in how to communicate with legal staff. To qualify, you must have at least two years’ post high school education and work experience. The one-day exam is divided into four parts.

American Institute for Paralegal Studies Certification

This certification is offered through the American Institute for Paralegal Studies (AIPS) and is a highly regarded mark of distinction in the paralegal field. The process entails passing a four-hour exam that covers such areas as legal writing, ethics, research methods, and legal principle in 200 multiple-choice questions.

Certified Paralegal/Certified Legal Assistant

The CP/CLA certification can be very important for a career as a paralegal. This highly demanding exam is split into two sections, the knowledge exam and the skills exam. The knowledge exam is given year-round. Once you pass that section, you are invited to sit the skills exam, which is offered four times a year. The knowledge portion covers such subjects as contracts, civil litigation, and torts. The skills exam covers such areas as grammar and punctuation, critical thinking, and information analysis.

Accredited Legal Professional

Becoming ALP-certified will demonstrate your readiness to succeed in a career in the field of law. The exam has three parts: Communication, The Law Firm: Legal Procedures and Knowledge, and Legal Ethics and Authority. Together, passing the ALP exam demonstrates your ability to perform communication tasks, understand legal terminology, complexity, and supporting documents, understanding of computer terminology, and more.

Advanced Paralegal Certification

The APC is designed for professionals who have already completed the Certified Paralegal program but want to go further in developing their skills in a particular practice area. Completion of the APC requires approximately 20 hours of study to complete approved courses and there is also an assessment component.

Professional certifications can be challenging, and costly—both in terms of time, commitment, and money. But the value return is there, in terms of helping you grow your skills and stand out from the competition when applying for a new job or other advancement in your legal career. Talk to one of our experienced talent specialists today about upskilling your career, or search for open roles!