PACE - Registered Paralegal

Introduction

The legal service industry is facing great change. While containing costs, it is trying to respond to an increased number of pending cases, rapid changes in technology, and increased demands from consumers for a higher level of client service.

As an active and vital part of the legal service industry, the paralegal profession is facing possible regulation through certification, licensing, or other means. The National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc., designed this brochure to describe the bold step it is undertaking—a step that may dramatically change the entire profession.

A Bold Step Forward

A grass-roots organization, NFPA is directed by its membership—each member association has one vote in the future of the national organization and the profession. During NFPA's 1994 Mid-Year Meeting, the membership voted overwhelmingly to develop an exam to test the competency level of experienced paralegals.

PACE = Paralegal
Advanced Competency Exam

Offering experienced paralegals an option to

validate your experience and job skills;

establish credentials; and

increase your value to your organization and clients.

The only exam of its kind, PACE

developed by a professional testing firm;

administered by an independent test administration company;

tests concepts across practice areas;

offers the profession a national standard of evaluation; and

offered at multiple locations on numerous dates and at various times.

PACE = Personal Advancement
for the Experienced Paralegal

The overwhelmingly positive vote to develop this exam is a conscientious effort by these paralegals to direct the future of the paralegal profession and acknowledges the vital role of paralegals within the legal service industry. It is also a direct response to states that are considering regulation of the paralegal profession and are seeking a method to measure job competency. While NFPA believes in the criteria the members established to take this exam, it recognizes any state may adopt the exam and modify the criteria.

The Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) will be developed in two stages, identified as tiers. Tier I, comprising general and ethics questions, is available; state-specific modules will be developed within particular jurisdictions as the need arises. Tier II will comprise specialty sections.

Paralegals receive two major benefits by taking PACE. The exam

provides a fair evaluation of the competencies of paralegals across practice areas; and

creates a professional level of expertise by which all paralegals can be evaluated.

Experience and Education

Requirements for a paralegal to take either tier of PACE include work experience and education. The paralegal cannot have been convicted of a felony nor be under suspension, termination, or revocation of a certificate, registration, or license by any entity. PACE has generated a great deal of interest since the resolution to develop it was passed. Based on this interest, and the number of paralegals who may apply to take the exam (a number reported by the U.S. Department of Labor to exceed 113,000), a need exists for global grandparenting.

Requirements are

An associates degree in paralegal studies obtained from an institutionally accredited and/or ABA approved paralegal education program; and six (6) years substantive paralegal experience; OR

A bachelor's degree in any course of study obtained from an institutionally accredited school and three (3) years of substantive paralegal experience; OR

A bachelor's degree and completion of a paralegal program with an institutionally accredited school, said paralegal program may be embodied in a bachelor's degree; and two (2) years substantive paralegal experience; OR

Four (4) years substantive paralegal experience on or before December 31, 2000.

NFPA'S Role

First organized in 1974, NFPA was created to provide a communications network and develop channels to expand the role of the paralegal profession. In addition, NFPA has assisted the profession in evaluating educational standards and responding to organizations and entities that appear interested in regulating the profession.

NFPA membership has significantly increased since its inception. In 2000, it included 55 associations, located throughout the United States, with more than 17,000 members.

Independent and Fair

NFPA strongly believes PACE must produce legitimate and verifiable results and consistently pass only paralegals who demonstrate an established level of knowledge, skills and competency. PACE was developed in cooperation with the independent test development firm, Professional Examination Service (PES).

PES was selected through an extensive proposal process and a personal interview with the NFPA Board of Directors. PES has developed professional exams for more than 50 years for groups such as the Federal Reserve System, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics. PES currently works with more than 75 professional associations and more than 300 licensing boards in 62 jurisdictions in the United States and Canada.

But PES does not work alone. An independent task force of paralegals, paralegal educators, attorneys, and other public members who are legal advocates in every step, from the preparation of the job analysis for paralegals through creation of the initial exam and ongoing revisions.

To ensure test results are valid, the test is administered by PES, an independent firm.

All profits received from the exam program will be passed to the "Foundation for the Advancement of the Paralegal Profession," an independent foundation, and will be used to further the entire paralegal profession.

Preparing for the Future

PACE presents a bold opportunity to all paralegals to advance the profession. This exam provides hard facts about the competency of experienced paralegals. While PACE does not address all the issues of regulation, including certification and licensing, it does provide the legal service industry with an option to evaluate the competency level of experienced paralegals.

As members of a self-directed profession, all paralegals should consider the vital role the profession performs within the legal service industry. PACE is independently monitored and well-structured. PACE provides test results across practice areas and, possibly, state-specific laws. While the test is offered on a voluntary basis, all experienced paralegals are encouraged to sit for the exam.

NFPA is committed to ensuring the paralegal profession responds to the changing needs of the public and legal service industry. In voting to develop PACE, NFPA's membership took a bold step toward addressing the future issues facing the profession.

Lexis-Nexis has sponsored a twenty minute presentation on paralegals which highlights PACE. This presentation will be available by mid 2002 on video or CD-rom. For more information on Lexis-Nexis newsletter click here.

Credential

Those who pass PACE and maintain the continuing education requirement may use the designation "PACE - Registered Paralegal" or "R.P."

Click here for a listing of RPs.

To maintain the RP credential, 12 hours of continuing legal or specialty education is required every two years, with at least one hour in legal ethics.

Registered Paralegals should review the Facts Every RP Should Know to be aware of the ways the PACE credential can be used and information on registration of CLE credits. Also included in the fact sheet is information on non-renewal status, inactive status, suspension and revocation of the use of the RP credential and the appeals process.

Inactive status may be granted by the PACE Standards Committee upon completion of an application. One-half of the CLE requirement is required while in inactive status.

How to Prepare and Register

To prepare for the exam, paralegals may use any of the following options:

a study manual

sample exam disk which contains 100 sample questions, grading of the answers and listing of further resources for incorrect answers

seminars sponsored by local paralegal associations and NFPA which can be found on the NFPA's calendar

PACE Review Course, a seven-week course provided through the Internet

On-line seminars can be found on NFPA's CLE page

To register to take the exam, (details on application process) send $15 to NFPA, P.O. Box 33108, Kansas City, MO 64114-0108, for a Candidate Handbook, which includes an application, information on exam content, sample exam questions, and logistical information on taking the exam. The $15 fee will be applied to the overall examination fee of $225. Once the application has been approved, the exam must be taken within 90 days.

NFPA publications on-line order form.

PACE is a four-hour, computer-generated test and is offered at more than 200 Sylvan Technology Centers a/k/a Prometric throughout the country. Once approved, each applicant can schedule the date and time to take the test at his or her convenience on any day except Sundays and holidays. Please note: not all Sylvan Learning Centers are Technology Centers.

Key Points of PACE

The Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) is offered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. (NFPA) to test the competency level of experienced paralegals.

Exam for Experienced Paralegals—PACE is offered to paralegals who have a minimum of two years' experience and meet specific educational requirements. PACE is designed for professional paralegals who want to pioneer the expansion of paralegal roles for the future of the profession, not to restrict entry into the profession.

Two-tier Exam—Each tier addresses different areas. Tier I addresses general legal issues and ethics. As the need arises, a section for state-specific laws may also be developed. Tier II addresses specialty sections.

Fair and Independent—PACE has been developed by a professional testing firm, assisted by an independent task force including paralegals, lawyers, paralegal educators and content specialists from the general public who are legal advocates. Ongoing administration will be handled by PES.

Voluntary—Paralegals will have the option to sit for the exam at more than 200 Sylvan Technology Centers. As activities and proposals for regulation of the profession increase, all paralegals will be encouraged to take the exam.

Credential Maintenance—To maintain the PACE RP credential, paralegals are required to obtain 12 hours of continuing legal education, including at least one hour in ethics, every two years.