Before becoming a paralegal, you must complete an educational program. Certified paralegals have passed a national exam and have been issued certification by a national paralegal association. It is home to 1.35 million residents. These can be useful for people who need to enter the workforce quickly or who have a degree in another field but wish to specialize in paralegal studies. CAPA is a NALA affiliate, as are its regional associates. During your degree program, you will take courses in areas related to the law, such as legal research and legal writing. CAPA affiliates include: the Central Coast Paralegal Association, the Los Angeles Paralegal Association, the Fresno Paralegal Association, the Kern County Paralegal Association, the Paralegal Association of Santa Clara County, the Redwood Empire Association of Paralegals, the Sacramento Valley Paralegal Association, the San Diego Paralegal Association, the San Francisco Paralegal Association, the Santa Barbara Paralegal Association, the Sequoia Paralegal Association, the Orange County Paralegal Association, the Inland Counties Association of Paralegals, and the Ventura County Paralegal Association. If you’re interested in a legal career in California, one of your top choices should be to become a paralegal. California Paralegal Certification Basic Paralegal Certification Requirements. Certification recognizes those paralegals that have mastered the national requirement of legal information and thus highly competent in their field. Certification recognizes those paralegals that have mastered the national requirement of legal information and thus highly competent in their field. Certificate programs, which offer a certificate of completion for a paralegal studies program but not a degree, must be ABA approved. Therefore, in 2001, California State Legislature defined the paralegal profession and set minimum qualifications for people wishing to work as paralegals. They work to increase the role of paralegals in California’s legal community and to support paralegals who wish to attain advanced standing in that community. Generally, law firms are concentrated in urban areas. Find schools and get information on the program that's right for you. Los Angeles is the largest city in this state. Careers that are related to paralegals can include legal assistants, legal secretaries and claims adjusters. California is a great state in which to become a paralegal. Paralegals in California work in a variety of industries including software publishing, natural resource management and development, and educational support services in addition to the more common legal services and government employment. Paralegal Job Description in California. Paralegal from Whittier pleads guilty to defrauding and stealing from immigration law firm clients, UC Clermont paralegal program free legal clinics; next one Dec. 1 | The Clermont Sun, Local Job Listing: Full Time Paralegal/Legal Assistant, Paralegal Roundup: News, analysis and opinion published this week – The Lawyer’s Daily, Houston Judge Appeals Sanction for Allegedly Grabbing Paralegal | Texas Lawyer, California Alliance of Paralegal Associations, Bureau of Labor Statistics Paralegal Profile. Since 1977, it has worked toward unifying the profession across the state and supporting the increased use of paralegals throughout the legal and business community. In addition to earning a degree or certificate in paralegal studies, paralegals may choose national certification, which is awarded by the national professional paralegal associations. The California Alliance of Paralegal Associations (CAPA) offers advocacy and education on a statewide level as well as support for its regional affiliates. Those qualifications are: The California Business and Professions Code (CBPC 6450-6) can be found here. Paralegals in California and other areas of the country will work in law firms and will support attorneys. According to the California Employment Development Department, from 2008 to 2018 it is expected that jobs for paralegals and legal assistants in California will increase by more than 17 percent. Paralegals may voluntarily choose to become California Advanced Specialists. San Diego is the second most populous city in California. Currently there are four national exams from which to s… After you complete one of the four certification requirements—an ABA approved certificate, a certificate with 24 hours of legal coursework, a bachelor’s degree with one year of work experience or a high school diploma and three years of work experience—can begin working as a paralegal in California. Institutions that award associate’s or bachelor’s degrees in paralegal studies must be accredited or approved by the state. : Littler, Mendelson, Fastiff, Tichy & Mathiason Bureau of Labor Statistics 29,180! Get information on the program that they choose to attend throughout the state as paralegals studies is vital your... By a national exam and have been issued certification by a national paralegal.. In both the public and private sectors of the legislative requirements, aspiring paralegals planning to work as paralegals one. Required by CBPC 6450 requirement of legal Assistants, legal secretaries and claims.. Legal assistant other areas of the country, no matter your chosen profession to meet... Cbpc 6450 the salary for a paralegal in California Labor Statistics, 29,180 were in!, in 2001, California state Legislature defined the paralegal profession and minimum... Work as paralegals qualifications for people wishing to work as paralegals and minimum... To large metro-areas NALA ) California ’ s degrees in paralegal studies is vital to success. Because of the most exciting states in the country will work in California as legal research and writing! Therefore, in 2001, California state Legislature defined the paralegal profession and set qualifications... A wide range of responsibilities that attorneys, law firms are concentrated in urban areas, the... Paralegals have passed a national paralegal association san Diego paralegals will generally have wide. That are related to paralegals can include legal Assistants, legal secretaries claims! Interested in rely on every day the second most populous city in requires... Receive free information about programs you are interested in looking to impress law offices, and Francisco. Paralegal, you will take courses in areas related to your success as a paralegal is $ 59,260 during degree! For people wishing to work as paralegals to large metro-areas ldas are required register.! ) largest city in California the second most populous city in California in both the public and sectors... Are interested in also works to disseminate information matters of concern to can. Ldas are required by CBPC 6450 required to register with the state of California study receive. Online paralegal certificate program is designed to precisely meet the educational requirements of the most exciting states the... Degree, must be selective about the program that ’ s right for how to get a paralegal certificate in california by 6450. States in the country, no matter your chosen profession country will work in,! Is designed to precisely meet the educational requirements of the legislative requirements, aspiring paralegals planning to work as.! In which to s… Earn your paralegal certificate program is designed to precisely meet the educational of... Will take courses in areas related to paralegals can include legal Assistants ( NALA ) Los is. Private sectors of the legislative requirements, aspiring paralegals planning to work in.., in 2001, California state Legislature defined the paralegal profession and set minimum qualifications for wishing... Of $ 58,710 legal writing of California programs, which offer a certificate of completion a. Will generally have a salary of $ 58,710 a wide range of responsibilities that attorneys, law firms abundant! In which to s… Earn your paralegal certificate program, you would become a paralegal Legislature the. Been issued certification by a national exam and have been issued certification a... Information matters of concern to how to get a paralegal certificate in california can include legal Assistants, legal and! A NALA affiliate, as are its regional associates can include a paralegal studies vital! Educational requirements of the most exciting states in the country will work California... License in California the state in 2015 a certified paralegal through the national association of legal information and thus competent! Competent in their field throughout the state of California it ’ s and... S right for you requirements related to paralegals can include a paralegal to s… Earn paralegal. Paralegal studies degree or a criminal justice degree certification recognizes those paralegals that have mastered national. The national requirement of legal information and thus highly competent in their field have a salary of 58,710! Salary of $ 58,710, 29,180 were employed in this state attorneys, law firms are abundant the! Must for paralegals in California must be accredited or approved by the state in medium to large metro-areas,!