Certification

Houston ALP has two primary directives, one of which is promoting the certification programs of NALS, Inc., by providing certification opportunities to its members and other legal support professionals in the Greater Houston area.

Need CLE credit?
Certification sessions are available for credit.

Houston Association of Legal Secretaries supports these NALS certification programs:

  • ALS . . . the basic certification for legal professionals
  • PLS . . . the advanced certification of legal professionals
  • Professional Paralegal

Study courses are available for those who wish to prepare for one of these exams, which are given locally twice a year (first Saturday in March and last Saturday in September).  The exams test legal procedure, terminology, ethics, and administrative and performance skills.

Advanced Legal Career Enhancement Seminar:
A Preparatory Course for the March 2011 NALS PLS Certification Exam
(more information to follow)

2010 Legal Training Course for the Lawyer's Assistant
Saturdays, August 7 - November 20, 2010 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Enhance your professional knowledge and image
Increase your marketability
This course is designed for anyone who wishes to work in the legal field or for legal support staff who wish to expand their knowledge of the legal field.
This course is excellent preparation for the NALS ALS Certification Exam
on Saturday, December 4, 2010
Registration Form  Class Schedule

For more information, please contact the Certification Committee at
certification@houstonalp.org.

CERTIFICATION EXAMS

ALS . . . the basic certification for legal professionals

This half-day, three-part entry-level exam covers written communications; office procedures and legal knowledge; and ethics, human relations, and judgment.  To sit for the examination, the candidate must have completed one of the following:  an accredited business/legal course; the NALS Legal Training Course; or one year of general office experience.  Membership in NALS is not a requirement.

PLS . . . the advanced certification for legal professionals

This one-day, four-part advanced comprehensive exam covers written communications; office procedures and technology; ethics and judgment; and legal knowledge and skills.  To sit for the examination, the candidate must have three years’ experience in the legal field.  A partial waiver of the three-year legal experience requirement may be granted for post-secondary degrees, successful completion of the ALS exam, or other certification.  The maximum waiver is one year.  Membership in NALS is not a requirement.

Professional Paralegal

This one-day, four-part paralegal-specific exam covers written communications; legal knowledge and skills; ethics and judgment skills; and substantive law.  To sit for the examination, the candidate must have five years’ experience performing paralegal/legal assistant duties.  A partial waiver of one year may be granted for a post-secondary degree, other certification, or a paralegal certificate; a candidate with a paralegal degree may receive a two-year partial waiver.  Membership in NALS is not a requirement.