How to Become a Paralegal: State-by-State Requirements

As of 2025, only California has paralegal certification requirements. In California, to use the title “paralegal,” the applicant must:

Once you have any of these requirements, you may call yourself a paralegal. There are no registration or licensing requirements. However, if you violate the state code, the penalties are severe, including jail time, fines, and restitution.

In all other states, registration with the state or state bar is entirely voluntary. Some states, such as Florida, have a voluntary registration with the state bar. Florida Registered Paralegals must meet certain education or work experience requirements and continuing legal education.

In every state, paralegals may not give legal advice and cannot hold themselves out as attorneys or “legal professionals.” Paralegals may only perform legal duties under the supervision of a licensed attorney.

Aspiring paralegals should review the paralegal programs offered by colleges and universities. Consider whether you want a certificate or a legal studies degree before beginning your legal career. You can start working in a law office as a legal secretary or legal assistant without any training, and “learn as you earn” in a small law firm or with a sole practitioner.

It’s a good idea to join a local or national paralegal association and work towards their certification exam. The national organizations require either a four-year degree or legal experience, but local groups have fewer requirements. If your state does have a voluntary registration group, consider joining. This gives you access to networking opportunities and specialization courses.

Also, keep in mind that the topic of licensing paralegals and legal paraprofessionals has been debated in the profession for the past decade. Utah has established the Licensed Paralegal Practitioner program, which allows practitioners to give legal advice in narrow practice areas. As of 2025, only a handful of attorneys and paralegals have completed Utah’s LPP program. Other states have shelved similar programs.

It's a good idea to stay current on the status of licensing requirements, in case things change, since licensing standards could change quickly.

Despite ominous reports online, paralegal job statistics have remained constant. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows a steady 1.4% job growth rate for paralegal and legal assistant jobs until 2033.

Worries about artificial intelligence (AI) eliminating the paralegal profession have not come to pass, mostly because AI has proven unreliable in writing accurate memos, briefs, and other legal documents. On the flip side, AI is valuable for paralegals as a tool for crunching wordy court opinions and extracting key issues, especially when time is critical.

A paralegal can expect to make around $60,000, according to BLS statistics. This figure depends on the practice area, the location, and the amount of experience the individual has. For instance, a senior litigation paralegal in a metro area like New York or Washington, D.C., will command a salary in the low six figures, while an entry-level paralegal in rural Nebraska might only expect to start at $40,000.

Other things that can influence your salary include a college degree, any specialized certifications or professional organization memberships, and your dedication to your profession.

A recent trend on job boards like LinkedIn and Indeed has shown a demand for “certified” paralegals. This does not necessarily mean NALA certification, but employers are starting to look for paralegals who have more than just experience or basic legal knowledge. Having a certification shows employers that you’re not just willing to pass a test, you want to stay informed about the legal profession.

The NALA certification must be renewed every five years, and members must submit proof of 50 clock hours’ worth of CLEs at that time. By requiring certified paralegals, employers know they have applicants who have current legal knowledge and are up-to-date on laws and regulations.

If you want to start your paralegal career and register with your state, the best place to start is the ABA or your state bar association. They have links to paralegal professional organizations and ABA-accredited paralegal programs. Get this information and begin the certification process today.