Is Paralegal Certification Required in West Virginia?

Paralegal certification is not required in West Virginia. However, West Virginia paralegals can, and do, earn voluntary certification from several national paralegal associations.

Certificate vs. Certification

• A paralegal certificate is not the same as paralegal certification. Colleges, universities, business schools and other educational institutions offer paralegal certificates and degrees. Professional associations offer voluntary paralegal certification.

National Paralegal Certification

• The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) and the American Alliance of Paralegals Inc., (AAPI) each offer a voluntary paralegal certification. As of 2010, West Virginia had 113 NALA certified paralegals. The NFPA website listed one PACE Registered Paralegal in West Virginia as of 2010. The AAPI website listed one AACP certified paralegal in West Virginia in 2010.

Advanced Paralegal Certification

• NALA also offers advanced paralegal certification in more than a dozen legal specialties. As of late 2010, 17 West Virginia paralegals had earned advanced certification in specialties including civil litigation, criminal law, probate, real estate, business organizations, contracts, discovery, Social Security disability and trial practice.