The Advanced Paralegal Certification Board aimed at developing a program that would better serve experienced paralegals who wanted to enter new areas of practice, as well as those seeking advanced credentials in their practice areas. The board consulted Kurt Kraiger, Ph.D., former McFarlin Professor of Psychology at the University of Tulsa, about developing program changes. Kraiger is an expert in occupational testing and evaluating certification training programs.
The new curriculum-based program is largely interactive, which distinguishes it from the specialty exam-site testing program used for the CLA/CP certification. Participants will discuss course materials and consult outside sources, including colleagues, reference books, and specialty practice area experts.
Since participants in the program have already earned their CLA/CP certifications, each advanced certification program has a statement of assumed knowledge. It is expected that a paralegal who seeks an APC has a general foundation of knowledge in the specific practice area he or she works in. Paralegals are advised to review the prerequisites for the certification programs they are interested in.
Three APC courses made their debut this July, and four additional courses—business organizations, trial practice, land use, and personal injury—are scheduled to begin before the end of the year.
One of the first specialized certification programs offered was contract management/administration. A paralegal who is interested in earning the certificate should have a working knowledge in one of the following areas of substantive law: administrative law, business organizations, entertainment/media law, insurance, labor relations, or real property.
Paralegals can also earn specialty certificates in discovery, the investigative stage of a case before a trial. Paralegals often play a vital role in discovery, and if they do their job well, parties can anticipate the opponent's strategies and accurately evaluate the likelihood of a successful trial.
The discovery certification teaches paralegals how to draft discovery requests and responses, gather and organize documents, analyze evidence, interview witnesses, and locate experts. In addition, paralegals can expect to gain in-depth understanding of the rules of civil procedure, criminal procedure, and evidence, as they relate to discovery.
The social security disability certification is designed for paralegals currently helping claimants in the social security disability claims process. It is a refresher course for paralegals who want to expand their existing knowledge and skills. Participants will learn about the terminology, ethics, representation requirements, administrative structure, and processes involved in the social security disability claims process.
A board of experienced paralegals, paralegal educators, paralegal managers, and attorneys head the APC program. Vicki Voisin, a member of the APC board since its inception, was recently appointed chair of the board for one term. Voisin served as NALA president from 1998 to 2000 and is currently serving as chair of the Legal Assistants Section of the State Bar of Michigan.
Like the CLA/CP examination, the APC program is regularly evaluated by outside experts. A paralegal who holds CLA/CP certification credentials from NALA and successfully completes an APC course is awarded use of the APC credential to signify the achievement. Each course is $250 for NALA members and $300 for non-members.
