Please note that refunds are not available for PACE materials; please ensure you meet the Education and Experience Requirements before ordering.
Portland Hotel Information
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.
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. Currently it includes 52 associations, located throughout the United States, with more than 11,000 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.
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.
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. For more information on Lexis-Nexis newsletter click here.
Learn more about PACE by selecting the links at the right.
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