Please note: It may take up to 60 days for submitted CLE forms to be processed. This supersedes what is printed on some of the forms. Please be sure to submit early enough to allow for turnaround time.
Also, the mailing address for NFPA has changed:
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Old: P.O. Box 2016, Edmonds, WA 98020-9516
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New: 23607 Highway 99, Suite 2-C, Edmonds, WA 98026
Please be sure to mail correspondence to the new address.
Address Change
Please send an e-mail with both your old and new addresses to info@paralegals.org to submit a change of address. Note the credential information is handled separately, so if your information also needs to be updated for the National Paralegal Reporter® mailing list or member database please indicate that.
Credential Renewal
To maintain your CORE Registered Paralegal™ (CRP™) or PACE Registered Paralegal® (RP®) credential you must submit, prior to the second anniversary of achieving your CRP or RP status, the affidavit. Be sure to include the application fee of $25. This maintenance must be repeated every second year to retain active status.
New! As of 3/8/2013 we have an online form which works as either credential's Registration Statement and Affidavit of Continuing Education.
Registered Paralegal (PACE) Forms
CORE Registered Paralegal (PCCE) Forms
Answers to Frequent Renewal Questions
Q: I’m putting together my renewal package and I realize I have accumulated more than the required hours of CLE. Can I save any of these “extra” hours to use for my next renewal?
A: Yes. A CRP or RP may carry forward up to 3 hours of CLE (not Ethics) that were not used for the current renewal. Any hours carried forward must have been earned with the six months immediately preceding your previous renewal deadline. For example, if your renewal deadline is June 10, 2013, you may carry forward to the subsequent renewal CLE hours earned between January 10, 2013 and June 10, 2013 to the renewal for June 10th, 2015. Those CLE hours cannot be Ethics hours. The Ethics CLE hours must be earned within the current two year renewal period.
Q: I have some extra hours that fall within the six month window and I want to use them for my next renewal what do I need to do?
A: If the extra hours (1-3) are part of a larger number of hours, e.g., a full day seminar for 6 CLE hours, and you are using 3 of those hours for the current renewal you will need to submit documentation of your attendance at the full day seminar; documentation of the number of hours approved for the seminar and note on the current Registration Statement and Affidavit of Continuing Education form that you are using only 3 hours of the total 6 hours for the current renewal. You will then need to retain for your records and submittal with the subsequent renewal a copy of the current renewal with the appropriate annotation, copies of the proof of your attendance and the number of hours approved for the seminar.
When the next renewal comes up, you will submit a copy of the previous Registration Statement and Affidavit of Continuing Education form indicating that you applied only 3 hours of the total 6 hours for that renewal along with the copies you retained documenting your attendance and the number of hours of CLE approved for the seminar.
Q: How early can I submit my Renewal form and CLEs?
A: We prefer that you not submit your renewal more than 6-8 months in advance of your renewal date. Regardless of when you submit your renewal, it does not change the date of renewal. If you need CLE approval for any of your CLEs, please make sure to submit a CLE Approval Request form no later than six (6) months prior to your renewal date. DO NOT submit CLE approval requests at the same time that you submit your renewal.
Q: How do I know when my renewal is due?
A: Your renewal is always every other year on the anniversary date (the date you took the exam). You should consider your renewal due 60-90 days prior to the actual date your credential expires. You can check with NFPA HQ as to when your renewal is due, or for RP's you can consult the wallet card which gives your anniversary date, your credential expiration date, and your RP number. NFPA also makes every attempt to send timely reminder letters to your last known e-mail address. Please note that changing your contact information in the credential database is entirely separate from changing your address for purposes of receiving the NFPA publication, National Paralegal Reporter, which comes from a different database.
If you took the exam initially in an even number year, your renewals are always due on that day in every even number year. The same is true if you took the exam in an odd number year – your renewals are always due on your anniversary date every odd number year.
You should submit your renewal 60-90 days ahead of the actual due date so that we will have time to advise you of any missing paperwork, CLE approvals, etc. before your renewal deadline.
Q: I have just realized that I missed my renewal date. Do I have to take the exam again? May I still use my credential? What can I do to come current in my registration?
A: First of all, you must realize that NFPA and the Certification Standards Committee expect calendaring of this important date to be automatic to certified paralegals. We do recognize that sometimes dates do slip up, and if you are within 60 days of missing your renewal date we can usually give you an extension, for good cause. You will need to pay the $25 late fee if your renewal is received at headquarters after your renewal date. If you are or will be more than 60 days overdue, contact NFPA and we can advise you further depending on your situation. Only certified paralegals in good standing may use the “CRP™”, “RP®”, “CORE Registered Paralegal™” or “PACE Registered Paralegal®” designations. These marks are registered and are the property of NFPA.
modified 3/8/2013