Active Membership
- Successful completion of the Certified Paralegal/Certified Legal Assistant (CP/CLA) examination administered by the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. (“NALA”). Provide copy of current CP/CLA certificate.
- Graduation from a currently approved American Bar Association (“ABA”) program of study for paralegals. Provide a copy of your degree or certificate of completion. See ABA website at http://apps.americanbar.org/legalservices/paralegals/directory/.
- Graduation from a course of study for paralegals which is institutionally accredited, but not ABA-approved, and which requires not less than the equivalent of sixty (60) semester hours of classroom study. Attach a copy of the degree AND a transcript (unofficial is acceptable) showing total hours earned.
- Graduation from a course of study for paralegals other than those set forth above, plus not less than six (6) months of in-house training as a paralegal. A copy of graduation certificate AND completed Attorney/Employer Attestation (below) must be submitted with this application.
- GA baccalaureate degree in any field, plus not less than six (6) months of in-house training as a paralegal. A copy of baccalaureate degree AND completed Attorney/Employer Attestation (below) must be submitted with this application.
- A minimum of five (5) years of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney, including not less than six (6) months of in-house training as a paralegal. Completed Attorney/Employer Attestation (below) must be submitted with this application AND a separate letter from supervising attorney(s) as to three (3) years of law -related experience.
- Two (2) years of in-house training by a governmental agency or corporation as a paralegal. A copy of your paralegal training coursework, college degree, or governmental job certificate AND a letter from your employer describing your paralegal related duties.
- A Florida Registered Paralegal. A copy of the Florida Registered Paralegal Certificate.
Associate Membership
Associate membership shall be open to any individual who has current law-related experience, such as legal secretaries, judicial assistants, legal studies educators, or recent graduates of a law related program who does not qualify as an Active Member or Student Member.
Patron Membership
Student Membership
Student membership shall be open to any individual who is actively enrolled in, either full- or part-time, and in good standing with any university, college, junior college, or other educational program pursuing a course of studies as a paralegal or legal assistant, and which school or institution is either (a) ABA-approved or (b) institutionally accredited by one of the regional agencies approved by the U.S. Department of Education for accreditation of higher education institutions and requires not less than the equivalent of sixty (60) semester hours of classroom study. In order to apply for student membership, an applicant must have signed an attestation from a professor or administrator confirming enrollment. Upon successful completion of the course of study, a Student Member may then apply for either Active or Associate membership in this Division.
NOTE:
CHANGE OF MEMBERSHIP STATUS – When the eligibility requirements for Active membership are met, a Student member may request a change of status from “Student” to “Active” Membership upon completion of an Application for New Membership, accompanied by supporting documentation, active member dues, and the applicable application fee.