Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations, Pennsylvania Paralegals

 

New Pennsylvania Certified Paralegal (Pa.C.P.) Credential


On April 12, 2008, the Keystone Alliance ratified a groundbreaking voluntary credentialing program for Pennsylvania's paralegals!

[ CLICK HERE ]
to review a Powerpoint Presentation of the
Pa.C.P. CREDENTIAL

[ CLICK HERE ]
for a PDF of the
Pa.C.P. Brochure

BECOMING A PENNSYLVANIA CERTIFIED PARALEGAL (Pa.C.P.)

QUALIFICATIONS:
To become a Pennsylvania Certified Paralegal you must fulfill the following qualifications and grandfathering or the educational requirements set forth below:

  1. Applicant must be a member in good standing of a Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations member association;
  2. Applicant must be a legal resident of the United States of America;
  3. Applicant must satisfy Education/Experience or Grandfathering requirements;
  4. Applicant must submit declarations from one (1) attorney in good standing with the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania who will attest to his/her direct knowledge of the Applicant’s skill level and his/her work as a Paralegal;
  5. A Paralegal making application under work experience only must submit declarations from two (2) attorneys; and
  6. Certified copy of Applicant’s official transcript(s) from the educational institution(s) attended OR a letter from the education institution(s) attended indicating the dates of the Applicant’s attendance and the date(s) of the Applicant’s graduation OR a copy of the Diploma/Certificate received by the Applicant from the education’s institution(s) attended.  Certified Legal Assistants (“CLA”), Certified Paralegals (“CP”), Registered Paralegals (“RP”), or Paralegals holding another Paralegal credential approved and recognized by the Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations need only submit a copy of their original credential certification and their current letter of good standing.  Applicants who are making application for certification under work experience only, do not need to submit transcripts or Diplomas/Certificates.

GRANDFATHERING PROVISION:
Prior to June 30, 2012, Applicant must meet one (1) of the following criteria: 

  1. Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Studies from an ABA-approved Paralegal Program AND one (1) year of substantive Paralegal experience; OR
  2. Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from an accredited institution AND a Certificate/Associate’s Degree from an ABA-approved Paralegal Program AND one (1) year of substantive Paralegal experience; OR
  3. Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from an accredited institution AND three (3) years of substantive Paralegal experience; OR
  4. Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies AND three (3) years of substantive Paralegal experience; OR
  5. Certificate from an ABA-approved Paralegal Program AND three (3) years of substantive Paralegal experience; OR
  6. Associate’s Degree in any discipline from an accredited institution AND five (5) years of substantive Paralegal experience; OR
  7. Certificate from a non-ABA-approved Paralegal Program AND five (5) years of substantive Paralegal experience; OR
  8. Seven (7) years of substantive Paralegal experience; OR
  9. Designation of CLA, CP or RP or other Paralegal credential approved and recognized by the Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations AND two (2) years of substantive Paralegal experience.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
After July 1, 2012, Applicant must meet one (1) of the following criteria:

  1. Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Studies from an ABA-approved Paralegal Program AND one (1) year of substantive Paralegal experience; OR
  2. Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from an accredited institution AND a Certificate/Associate’s Degree from an ABA-approved Paralegal Program AND one (1) year of substantive Paralegal experience; OR
  3. Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from an accredited institution AND three (3) years of substantive Paralegal experience; OR
  4. Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies from a Paralegal Program AND five (5) years of substantive Paralegal experience; OR
  5. Certificate from a Paralegal Program AND five (5) years of substantive Paralegal experience; OR
  6. Designation of CLA, CP or RP or other Paralegal credential approved and recognized by the Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations AND two (2) years of substantive Paralegal experience.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

  • Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Requirements – Twelve (12) hours with two (2) hours being in ethics for every two (2) years’ renewal.
  • Examination – No exam at this time.
  • Fees – Fifty ($50.00) Dollars non-refundable Processing Fee for initial two (2) year period.  Twenty-Five ($25.00) Dollars non-refundable Processing Fee for each renewal period of two (2) years.  Fees subject to change.

FORMS:
The application for Certification can be found on the FORMS AND DOCUMENTS page of the Keystone Alliance web site.