PLS, ALS and PP Examinations

PLS Examination

1.  PLS...an advanced certification for legal professionals -- A Professional Goal

How do your skills compare with the hallmark of a professional?  PLS is the designation for lawyer's assistants who want to be identified as exceptional.  Certification is received after passing a one-day, four-part examination which demonstrates not only dedication to professionalism but acceptance of the challenge to be exceptional.  Personal motivation is necessary to attain such a goal.

The purpose of the examination is to certify a lawyer's assistant as a person who possesses:

• a mastery of office skills;
• the ability to interact on a professional level with attorneys, clients, and other support staff;
• the discipline to assume responsibility and exercise initiative and judgment; and
• a working knowledge of procedural law, the law library, and how to prepare legal documents.

2.  PLS Examination Eligibility

Any person who has had three years' experience in the legal field may take the examination.  Membership in NALS is not a requirement.   A partial waiver of the three-year legal experience requirement may be granted for post-secondary degrees, successful completion of the ALS exam, or other certifications.  The maximum waiver is one year.

3.  The PLS Certification Exam Covers

• Part 1:  Written Communications
• Part 2:  Office Procedures and Technology
• Part 3:  Ethics and Judgment
• Part 4:  Legal Knowledge and Skills

ALS Examination

1.  ALS -- A basic certification for legal professionals - A Career Goal

One way to demonstrate your preparedness for the demanding field of law is by becoming an ALS.  This designation is awarded after passing a four-hour, three-part examination.  Attaining this goal demonstrates your commitment and aptitude for succeeding in the ever changing legal environment.

The ALS Examination:

• demonstrates ability to perform business communication tasks;
• gauges ability to maintain office records and calendars, and prioritize multiple tasks when given real-life scenarios;
• measures understanding of office equipment and related procedures;
• denotes aptitude for understanding legal terminology, legal complexities, and supporting documents;
• assesses recognition of accounting terms in order to solve accounting problems; and
• appraises knowledge of law office protocol as prescribed by ethical codes.

2.  ALS Examination Eligibility

To sit for the examination, you must have completed one of the following:

• an accredited office curriculum course,
• the NALS Legal Training Course, or
• one year of general office experience.

Membership in NALS is not a requirement.

3.  The Exam Covers

• Part 1:  Written Communications
• Part 2:  Office Procedures and Legal Knowledge
• Part 3:  Ethics, Human Relations, and Judgment

4.  Examination Guidelines

All three parts of the examination must be taken on the first attempt.  If you do not pass the entire examination on the first attempt, you may retake the examination parts you did not pass.  All failed parts must be retaken at the same time.  You will be charged the full exam fee each time you sit.  Those passing the exam will receive a certificate which is valid for five years.  Certification may be extended through continuing education, based on NALS guidelines, for one year.

5.  Examination Dates

March:  First Saturday
June:  First Saturday*
July:  In conjunction with the regional conferences held in July
September:  Last Saturday
December:  First Saturday*

6.  Application Deadlines

March:  Postmarked by January 1
June:  Postmarked by April 15*
July:  Postmarked by June 15
September:  Postmarked by August 1
December:  Postmarked by October 15*

*June and December testing are for those who have completed the Basic or Advanced NALS Legal Training Course.

7.  Examination Fees

Full-time student -- $50
NALS member (not a full-time student) -- $75
Nonmember (not a full-time student) -- $100

8.  Transfer/Refund Policy

You may transfer your examination or retake fee once per payment; the fee, less a 25% processing fee, may be refunded if requested 30 days or more before the examination.  If the fee is transferred, no refund is then available for that payment.

9.  Preparing for the Exam

• ALS Resource Manual* -- the ALS Resource Manual is designed to help you achieve the ALS designation.  It contains information about the program, including an appliation to take the exam, an overview of the topics covered by each part, and the primary and secondary reference lists as additional study guides.  The manual can be used for studying alone, with a study group, or by an instructor preparing lesson plans.
• NALS Basic Legal Traning Course -- Many state and local chapters sponsor the NALS Legal Training Course.  This course emulates a classroom study style in preparing for the exam.  Check the NALS calendar for an upcoming course in your area.

*These materials are available for purchase through the NALS website.

Professional Paralegal Examination

Are you looking for a way to establish your credentials nationwide as a Professional Paralegal? Established in 2004 at our members request, the Certified PP designation is an attainable goal for paralegals who wish to be identified as exceptional in all areas of law. The certificate is received after passing a one-day, four-part examination.

    Successful completion of the PP examination demonstrates:

        • A mastery of procedural skills and communication skills.
        • An advanced knowledge of procedural law, the law library, and the preparation of legal documents.
        • A working knowledge of substantive law and the ability to perform specifically delegated substantive legal work under an attorney’s supervision.
        • The ability to interact on a professional level with attorneys, clients, and other staff.
        • The discipline to assume responsibility and exercise initiative and judgment while adhering to legal ethical standards at all times.

    Working under the supervision of a practicing lawyer or a judge, the Certified PP is expected to possess:

        • The same high standard of ethical conduct imposed upon members of the Bar.
        • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
        • Knowledge and understanding of legal terminology and procedures, as well as procedural and substantive law.
        • The ability to assume responsibility, exercise initiative and judgment, and prepare substantive legal documents within the scope of assigned authority.
        • Attaining this goal demonstrates dedication to professionalism and acceptance of the challenge to be exceptional. Personal motivation is necessary to attain such a goal.

        PP Examination Eligibility

        Any person who has five years’ experience performing paralegal/legal assistant duties (a candidate may receive a partial waiver of one year if he or she has a post-secondary degree, other certification, or a paralegal certificate; a candidate with a paralegal degree may receive a two-year partial waiver).

        The Exam Covers

            PART 1: Written Communications
            PART 2: Legal Knowledge and Skills
            PART 3: Ethics and Judgment Skills
            PART 4: Substantive Law

        Examination Guidelines

        All four parts of the examination must be taken on the first attempt with the exception of current PLS’s in which only Part 4 in Substantive Law is needed. If you do not pass the entire examination on the first attempt, but do pass one or more parts, you may retake the part (or parts) you failed. All failed parts must be retaken at the same time.
        Those passing the exam will receive a certificate which is valid for five years. Recertification is required every five years and may be achieved through the accumulation of continuing legal education hours and activities.

        Examination Dates

              o March: First Saturday
              o September: Last Saturday

        Application Deadlines - Apply Today!

              o March: Postmarked by January 1
              o September: Postmarked by August 1

        Examination Fees

            For Current PLSs
            Members: $150
            Nonmembers $200

            For Non-PLS
            Members: $200
            Nonmembers: $250

            Retake fees
            Members: $50 per part
            Nonmembers: $60 per part

        Preparing For The Exam

            * NALS Advanced Legal Training Course -- Many state and local chapters sponsor the NALS Legal Training Course. This course emulates a classroom study style in preparing for the exam. Check the NALS Calendar for upcoming training courses in your area.
            * Certification Study Tips - NALS Certifying Board Tips to Certification Success

For more information, contact:

Certification Department
NALS Resource Center
8159 East 41st Street
Tulsa, OK 74145
918.582.5188
918.582.5907 (fax)
info@nals.org