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Paralegal Certification vs. Degree: What’s the Difference? 

You’re on the path to a career as a paralegal, and as you’ve researched programs and credentials, you’ve likely come across two terms used almost interchangeably: paralegal certification and paralegal degree.  

They are not the same thing and understanding the difference matters before you decide which path to take. 

Recommended: ABA Approval vs. ABA Accreditation: Do You Need ABA Approval for a Paralegal Program?  

A paralegal certification is proof of passing a third-party professional exam, such as the Certified Paralegal (CP) credential through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). A paralegal degree is an accredited academic credential, like an associate or bachelor’s degree, earned through a college or university. 

Both can strengthen your career. Here’s how they differ, what each requires, and how to decide what’s right for you. 

What Is a Paralegal Certification?

A paralegal certification comes from a professional organization or association, not a college. It typically requires passing one or more exams and demonstrates your expertise in a specific area of paralegal practice or your mastery of the profession more broadly. 

Unlike a degree, certifications do not last forever. NALA’s CP certification, for example, must be renewed every five years and requires 50 hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE), among other requirements. 

You’ll also come across undergraduate certificate programs, which are not the same as a certification. The Institute for Credentialing Excellence (I.C.E.) breaks down the difference between a certificate and certification program here.  

Here are the most widely recognized paralegal certifications available today. 

Certified Paralegal (CP) — NALA

NALA’s Certified Paralegal (CP) credential is one of the most respected certifications in the profession. Earning it means you’ve passed a rigorous, nationally accredited exam that tests the knowledge and skills employers actually look for. 

NALA says it’s also acknowledged by the American Bar Association as a mark of excellence, and more than 47 paralegal organizations recognize it as the definitive paralegal certification. 

To qualify, candidates must meet one of several eligibility pathways. This includes graduation from an accredited paralegal program, a bachelor’s degree with relevant experience, or a combination of education and paralegal work experience. Click here for more information on eligibility requirements.  

The exam itself consists of two parts: a Knowledge Exam (multiple-choice, covering federal law and procedure) and a Skills Exam (a written essay assessment). You must pass the Knowledge Exam before sitting for the Skills Exam, though you don’t have to take both on the same day. 

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Professional Paralegal (PP) — NALS

The Professional Paralegal (PP) certification is issued by NALS (the National Association for Legal Professionals). Since 2004, the PP credential has served as a benchmark for paralegal expertise in areas including legal judgment, substantive law, professional interactions, and communication. 

Requirements include a bachelor’s degree (in any field), graduation from an accredited paralegal program that meets specific clock hour and semester hour thresholds, and five years of legal assistant or paralegal experience. 

As of this publication, NALS certification exams are on hiatus, aside from its Certified Legal Support Professional (LSP) exam for school groups. This temporary elimination is so NALS can revise and enhance its exams, its website said.  

American Alliance Certified Paralegal (AACP)

The American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. issues the AACP certification.  

To qualify, candidates need to meet one of the following: 

  • A Bachelor or advanced Degree in any discipline from an accredited institution; or 
  • An Associate Degree in paralegal studies from an ABA approved paralegal program or a program which is a voting institutional member of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE); or 
  • A Certificate from an ABA approved paralegal program or a program which is a voting institutional member of the American Association for Paralegal Education.  

Recommended: Bryan University’s Paralegal Program Joins American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE)

What Is a Paralegal Degree?

A paralegal degree is an accredited academic credential issued by a college or university, either in person or online. Unlike a certification, a degree does not expire. Once earned, it’s yours permanently with no need to renew or recertify, though staying current with developments in the law is always worthwhile. 

The two most common paralegal degrees are an associate degree and a bachelor’s degree. 

Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies

An associate degree is typically a two-year program and the most common entry point into the paralegal profession. Programs cover core competencies like civil litigation, legal research, document preparation, eDiscovery, and AI for legal practice. 

Bryan University’s Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies program includes hands-on experience through e-Discovery project management and experiential labs, including working in Relativity and Clio.  

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A bachelor’s degree takes your paralegal education further, opening doors to more senior roles, higher earning potential, and a wider range of employers, including corporate law departments, government agencies, and international firms. 

Bryan University’s Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies covers advanced legal research and writing, eDiscovery project management, and management communications.  

Is a Paralegal Degree Worth It?

Yes, and not just for the credential itself. 

While it’s technically possible to enter the paralegal field without a degree, most employers today prefer or require one. The BLS notes that many paralegals and legal assistants have an associate degree or certificate in paralegal studies, and some employers prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree.1  

A degree develops the practical skills that paralegal roles demand every day: legal research, written communication, case organization, document preparation, and analytical thinking.  

Paralegal Job Outlook

Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to show little or no change from 2024 to 2034, according to the BLS.¹ Despite limited employment growth, about 39,300 openings are projected each year, most resulting from the need to replace workers who retire or change careers.  

According to NALAs 2024 National Utilization & Compensation Report, flexible work arrangements are increasing for paralegals with 71% of paralegals now having some form of flexibility in their work. That’s a 13% rise from 2022!2  

For aspiring paralegals, this means consistent entry opportunities in a stable field, even without dramatic job creation, and more flexible options.  

The median annual wage for paralegals and legal assistants was $61,010 in May 2024, according to the BLS.¹  

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a degree to become a paralegal?

No, a degree is not required; except in California which is the only state with a specific educational requirement to work as a paralegal. But, most employers prefer candidates with at least a certificate from a formal paralegal training program or an associate degree in paralegal studies.

What is the difference between a paralegal certificate and a paralegal certification?

These are two distinct things. A paralegal certificate is awarded by a school upon completing a training program. A paralegal certification, like the NALA CP, is earned by passing a professional exam administered by a credentialing organization. Completing a school program does not make you “certified” in the professional sense. 

How long does it take to become a certified paralegal?

It depends on which exam you plan to take. With NALA, for example, there are multiple pathways to become eligible for the exam, not just one set route. Candidates may qualify through a combination of education, including an associate or bachelor’s degree, a post-baccalaureate certificate, or a certificate program with sufficient legal coursework, or by completing a program that meets specific standards, which allows for some flexibility based on your educational background.

Some candidates pursue certification while completing their degree, shortening the overall timeline. At BU, once you complete our Paralegal Studies Undergraduate Certificate program, you can transfer this directly into the Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies.

Is the NALA CP certification hard to earn?

The CP is considered a rigorous credential. It requires passing both a multiple-choice Knowledge Exam and a written Skills Exam, with content based on federal law and procedure. Candidates who complete an accredited paralegal program are generally better positioned to pass on the first attempt. 

How long is the NALA CP certification valid?

The CP certification must be renewed every five years. Recertification requires 50 hours of Continuing Legal Education, including at least five hours of legal ethics, no more than 10 hours of non-substantive credits, and no more than three hours of technology credits during each five-year recertification period. Click here for more information on recertification.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Paralegals and Legal Assistants,
    at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm ↩︎
  2. National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). (2025). 2024 National Utilization & Compensation Report: Executive Summary. https://nala.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2024-NALA-Compensation-Utilization-Report-ExecSumm-FINAL-1-15-25.pdf ↩︎

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