Which exam should I apply for?
While
it is not up to the NFPA staff and board to tell you which exam you
should apply for, here’s some information to help guide your decision:
-
The
Paralegal CORE Competency Exam® (PCCE®) was developed to assess the
knowledge, skills and ability of early-career and entry-level
paralegals. It establishes your education has prepared you for many types of paralegal
work and helps you stand out from others whose schooling and experience
are otherwise similar. Those who have passed the PCCE® may proudly
display the CRP™ ® designation after their name.
PCCE® Test Specifications
Download the PCCE® Brochure
The Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam® (PACE®)
is for those with not only a comprehensive education in paralegal
studies but also years of practical experience. Earning the RP®
designation by passing the PACE® Exam shows that you are one of the best
in the field! Due to the advanced nature of this exam, the eligibility
requirements for the PACE® are more restrictive.
PACE® Test Specifications
Download the PACE® Brochure
PCCE® for the CRP™ Credential
Are you Eligible to take the PCCE® exam?
Requirements
for a paralegal to take PCCE® 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. Additionally, the candidate's experience must
meet one of the following options:
|
Education, Military Service, CRP™ credentials
|
Years of Substantive Paralegal Experience
|
CLE
|
|
Bachelor Degree in paralegal studies
|
None required
|
None required preceding the application
|
|
Bachelor's Degree (any subject) plus a paralegal certificate
|
None required
|
None required preceding the application
|
|
Bachelor's Degree (any subject) - no paralegal certificate
|
6 months
|
1 hour of NFPA®-approved ethics CLE, within the year preceding application
|
|
Associate's Degree in paralegal studies
|
None required
|
None required preceding the application
|
|
Associate's Degree (any subject) plus a paralegal certificate
|
None required
|
None required preceding the application
|
|
Associate's Degree (any subject) - no paralegal certificate
|
1 year
|
6 hours of NFPA®-approved CLEs, including 1 CLE hour of ethics, within the year preceding the application
|
|
Paralegal Certificate*
(program must be an ABA approved or AAfPE member program)
|
1 year
|
6 hours of NFPA®-approved CLEs, including 1 CLE hour of ethics, within the year preceding the application
|
|
Military Paralegal Rate (Job)
|
Defined by rank
|
1 CLE hour of ethics, within the year preceding application
|
|
NFPA® Assurance of Learning Education Students
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
High School or GED
|
5 years
|
12 hours of NFPA®-approved CLEs, including 1 CLE hour of ethics, within 2 years preceding the application
|
Policy & Procedure Manual - Last Updated: 1/19/2021 Page 62 of 279
PCCE® Fees
Members: $300
Non-members: $325
NFPA
Exam Fees are non-refundable. Before applying, applicants should
confirm their ability to document their eligibility per the above list
and the required documentation outlined here
and be prepared to take the exam within 90 days from approval. NFPA is unable to comment on individual eligibility without a submitted application.
PACE® for the RP® Credential
Are you eligible to take the PACE® exam?
Requirements
for a paralegal to take 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. Additionally, the candidate's experience must
meet one of the following options:
|
Education, Military Service, CRP™ credentials
|
Years of Substantive
Paralegal Experience
|
CLE
|
|
Bachelor’s Degree in paralegal studies
|
2 years
|
None required preceding the application
|
|
Bachelor's Degree (any subject) plus paralegal certificate*
(Certificate program must be ABA or AAfPE approved)
|
2 years
|
None required preceding the application
|
|
Bachelor's Degree (any subject) with no paralegal certificate
|
3 years
|
None required preceding the application
|
|
Associate's Degree in paralegal studies
|
6 years
|
None required preceding the application
|
|
Associate's Degree (any subject)
|
7 years
|
None required preceding the application
|
|
Associate's Degree (any subject) plus CRP™ credentials plus 2 successful renewals of credentials
|
Defined by PCCE®
|
Defined by PCCE®
|
|
Military Paralegal Rank of E6 or higher
|
Defined by rank
|
12 hours of NFPA®-approved CLEs, including 1 CLE hour of ethics, within 1 year
|
Policy & Procedure Manual - Last Updated: 1/19/2021 Page 62 of 279
PACE® Fees
Members: $325
Non-members: $350
NFPA
Exam Fees are non-refundable. Before applying, applicants should
confirm their ability to document their eligibility per the above list
and the required documentation outlined here and be prepared to take the exam within 90 days from approval. NFPA is unable to comment
on individual eligibility without a submitted application.
Prometric Testing Info
Our testing Vendor is Prometric; candidates may sit for the exam at over 200 Prometric testing sites across the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, or test remotely via ProProctor.
- Interested in testing from home? View this demo to learn more: Demo of the ProProctor® experience
- Click here to check if your computer meets the requirements to use ProProctor® before scheduling
- No additional fees required to choose the remote proctoring option
- As always, your Authorization to Test email upon application approval will contain details regarding both testing options. You are unable to obtain testing date options or information until you have received your approved application and ATT email
For the PACE® exam, you will have 4 hours to complete 200 multiple choice questions.
For the PCCE® exam, you will have 2.5 hours to complete 125 multiple choice questions; 15 of those questions do not count towards your score.
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