Handbook

© November 2017 National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc.

NFPA, PACE Registered Paralegal, RP, PACE, the PACE design logo, and the NFPA design logo are all
Registered Trademarks/Service Marks of NFPA; NFPA - Your partner in your profession, PACE - The
Standard for Excellence, Paralegal CORE Competency Exam, PCCE, PCC Exam, CORE Registered
Paralegal, CRP and PCCE design logo are Trademarks/Service Marks of NFPA.
 Table of Contents

The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)................................................. 3

Certification Overview ................................................................................................................. 3
The CORE Registered Paralegal (CRP™) ............................................................................. 3
Benefits of Certification............................................................................................................ 3
Sponsorship/Administration .................................................................................................... 4
Professional Membership ......................................................................................................... 4
General NFPA Policies ................................................................................................................. 4
Suspension and Revocation ...................................................................................................... 4
Requests for Exceptions and the Appeal Process................................................................... 4
Arbitration Clause .................................................................................................................... 5
Exam Confidentiality ................................................................................................................ 6
Audit of Information Submitted .............................................................................................. 6
Paralegal CORE Competency Exam (PCC Exam) Overview .................................................. 7
Purpose of the PCC Exam........................................................................................................ 7
Number of Questions ................................................................................................................ 7
Basis for Exam Content ............................................................................................................ 7
Exam Standards ........................................................................................................................ 7
Test Specifications..................................................................................................................... 8
Studying for the Exam .................................................................................................................. 9
Exam Preparation ..................................................................................................................... 9
Test Blueprint ............................................................................................................................ 9
Study References ....................................................................................................................... 9
Eligibility Requirements ............................................................................................................. 10
Work Experience and Education Requirements ................................................................. 10
Character and Fitness Requirements.................................................................................... 12
Applying for the PCC Exam ...................................................................................................... 13
90 Day Testing Period ............................................................................................................. 13
Submitting an Application ..................................................................................................... 13
Special Testing Accommodation Requests ........................................................................... 13
Exam Fee.................................................................................................................................. 14
Payment Methods.................................................................................................................... 14
Application Confirmation and Receipt ................................................................................. 14
Authorization to Test Letter .................................................................................................. 15
After Applying for the PCC Exam ............................................................................................ 16
Scheduling an Exam Appointment with Prometric ............................................................. 16
Schedule an Exam Appointment Early ................................................................................. 17
Prometric Test Center (PTC) Locations ............................................................................... 17
Updating Contact Information .............................................................................................. 17
Rescheduling your Exam Appointment ................................................................................ 18
Changing your Test Center Location .................................................................................... 19
Exam Cancellation (Withdrawal).......................................................................................... 19
No-Shows ................................................................................................................................. 19
Medical/Personal Emergencies .............................................................................................. 19
On Exam Day .............................................................................................................................. 21

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 Presenting Proof of Identity ................................................................................................... 21
Hyphenated Names/Middle Name vs. Middle Initial........................................................... 21
Prometric Test Center Rules.................................................................................................. 21
Inclement Weather/Local or National Emergencies ............................................................ 23
Taking an Exam by Computer .............................................................................................. 23
After Taking the Exam ............................................................................................................... 24
Receiving Exam Scores ........................................................................................................... 24
Scoring of Exams..................................................................................................................... 24
Setting the Passing Point ........................................................................................................ 24
Retaking the Exam.................................................................................................................. 25
Requesting a Duplicate Score Report and/or Certificate .................................................... 25
Recertification ............................................................................................................................. 26
Maintaining the CRP™ Credential ....................................................................................... 26
Appendix A .................................................................................................................................. 27
Test Specifications for the .......................................................................................................... 27
NFPA Paralegal CORE Competency Exam (PCC Exam) ...................................................... 27
Appendix B .................................................................................................................................. 33
Appendix C .................................................................................................................................. 36
Appendix D .................................................................................................................................. 40
SPECIAL TESTING ACCOMMODATION REQUEST FORM...................................... 40
DOCUMENTATION OF DISABILITY-RELATED NEEDS BY QUALIFIED
PROFESSIONAL .................................................................................................................... 41
Appendix E .................................................................................................................................. 42
The National Federation of Paralegal Associations ................................................................. 42
Position Statement Regarding Short-Term Paralegal Programs ........................................... 42
Quick Reference Guide ................................................................................................................. 44
Appendix F .................................................................................................................................. 45
Application for Waiver of Six (6) Month Waiting Period to Retake PACE/PCCE.......... 45

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Introduction
The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)

Founded in 1974, the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA®) was the first
national paralegal association. NFPA is an issue-driven, policy-oriented professional association
directed by its membership. NFPA is dedicated to the advancement of the paralegal profession
and leadership in the legal community. It is comprised of more than 50 member associations and
represents over 10,000 individual paralegals throughout the United States and Canada. Members
of NFPA have varying backgrounds, education and job responsibilities that reflect the diversity
of the paralegal profession. NFPA promotes the growth, development, and recognition of the
paralegal profession as an integral partner in the delivery of legal services.

In 1994, NFPA’s membership voted overwhelmingly to develop an exam to test the competency
level of experienced paralegals. The decision to develop an exam was based on the need to
direct the future of the paralegal profession as well as in response to states that were considering
regulation of the paralegal and needed a method to measure job competency. The resulting
exam, the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE®) was developed to measure a
paralegal’s knowledge of general paralegal practice, ethics, and technology.

In 2010, NFPA determined that in addition to testing the competency level of experienced
paralegals, there was also a need to test core competencies in early-career and entry-level
paralegals. Therefore, the Paralegal CORE Competency Exam™ (PCC Exam™) was developed
and administered for the first time on June 11, 2011.

* NFPA, PACE Registered Paralegal, RP, PACE and the NFPA design logo are all Registered Trademarks/Service
Marks of NFPA; PCC Exam, Paralegal CORE Competency Exam, CORE Registered Paralegal, CRP, PCCE and the
PCC Exam design logo are Trademarks/Service Marks of NFPA.

Certification Overview
The CORE Registered Paralegal (CRP™)

Candidates who pass the PCC Exam will receive a commemorative certificate from NFPA
authorizing the use of the credential “CORE Registered Paralegal™” and the acronym “CRP™”
after their name.

Benefits of Certification

The paralegal profession receives two major benefits from the PCC Exam:

1. a fair evaluation of the competencies of paralegals across practice areas; and

2. creation of a professional level of expertise by which all paralegals can be evaluated.

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Sponsorship/Administration

The Paralegal CORE Competency Exam (PCC Exam) is sponsored by NFPA. To assist with the
development of the exam, NFPA contracts with Professional Examination Service (PES), a
testing organization with more than 60 years of experience in the development and
administration of licensing and certification exams.

The first PCC Exam was offered in paper/pencil format only at 12 test sites in the U.S. on June
11, 2011. Starting this fall, all future administrations of the PCC Exam will be offered on
computer at Prometric Test Centers (PTCs) throughout the United States and Canada. Prometric
is a leading global provider of comprehensive testing and assessment services.

A Quick Reference Guide containing contact information for NFPA and Prometric is presented
on the last page of this handbook.

Professional Membership

Professional membership in NFPA or any other association is not required to participate in the
PCC Exam. While all paralegals are encouraged to take the PCC Exam, successful completion
of the exam is not currently required by any state or bar association to be employed as a
paralegal.

General NFPA Policies

Suspension and Revocation

The CRP™ credential can be suspended or revoked for any of the following reasons:

• failing to meet continuing education requirements,

• making false representations on the Candidate Application and supporting documents,
• cheating or other irregularities related to the administration of the PCC Exam, and/or
• failing to maintain the confidentiality of PCC Exam questions or answers.

For more detailed information on the NFPA’s general policies regarding suspension and
revocation, requests for exceptions, the appeal process, and arbitration, visit the NFPA website,
www.paralegals.org.

Requests for Exceptions and the Appeal Process

Requests for exceptions to any of the policies stated in this Candidate Handbook must be in
writing and should be addressed to:

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Vice President and Director of Paralegal Certification
NFPA Headquarters
9100 Purdue Rd., Ste. 200
Indianapolis, IN 46268
Phone Number: (317) 454-8312

Requests may also be submitted through NFPA headquarters by emailing [email protected].

Candidates who are not satisfied with the decision of the Vice President and Director of
Paralegal Certification may request a review of the Request for Exception by the Paralegal
Certification Standards Committee (PCSC) within 30 days from the date the Vice President and
Director of Paralegal Certification renders an opinion. The PCSC’s decision may be appealed to
the Board of Directors of NFPA within 30 days from the date the PCSC renders a decision.

All communication with the Vice President and Director of Paralegal Certification that is
intended as an official appeal must state that the communication (whether in writing or via
email) constitutes a formal appeal of a decision.

The appeal should contain all evidence that the PCSC and or the NFPA Board needs for
consideration. The NFPA Board will review the appeal at the next regularly scheduled Board of
Directors meeting and respond, in writing, within 10 days of such meeting. Appellants do not
have the right to appear in person, bring witnesses, or be represented by counsel.

If the Board of Directors upholds a denial of waiver or eligibility, the appellant has the right to
submit a request for binding arbitration within 60 days of the date of the notice of denial of
appeal. Requests for arbitration must be filed with the Seattle, Washington office of the
American Arbitration Association pursuant to its Commercial Arbitration Rules, along with the
appropriate fee, and sent to the following address:

American Arbitration Association

Convention Place
701 Pike Street, Suite 950
Seattle, WA 98101-4111
Telephone: 206-622-6435
Website: www.adr.org

Arbitration applications and rules may also be obtained at the address listed above.

Arbitration Clause

Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to the PCC Exam application will be settled
by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with its
Commercial Arbitration Rules. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be
entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Any such arbitration will be conducted in
Seattle, Washington, unless another place is selected by mutual agreement of the candidate and
the NFPA President.

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The arbitrator will be selected from a panel of persons having experience with and knowledge of
the U.S. legal system.

The scope of arbitration shall be limited to whether the applicant is eligible to take the PCC
Exam.

Exam Confidentiality

In order to protect and ensure the validity and confidentiality of the PCC Exam, all candidates
are prohibited from discussing, sharing, or in any way disclosing the content of or information
related to exam questions. The CRP credential may be suspended or revoked for such activity.

Audit of Information Submitted

A percentage of all applications for the PCC Exam are subject to random audit to verify that the
information submitted is both accurate and truthful. However, NFPA reserves the right to audit
any or all applications and relevant supporting documentation. Candidates randomly selected for
audit will be required to provide all documentation supporting their particular eligibility status.
Any candidate determined to be ineligible as a result of a random audit and who is found to have
knowingly and intentionally misrepresented their eligibility to take the PCC Exam shall not be
entitled to use the CORE Registered Paralegal credential even if said candidate successfully
completed the exam. Further, the candidate shall be permanently prohibited from retaking the
PCC Exam.

Candidates and certificants have the right to request the appeal process. Requests for an appeal
should be submitted through NFPA headquarters by emailing [email protected]. Additional
information on the appeal process can be found on the NFPA website, www.paralegals.org.

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Paralegal CORE Competency Exam (PCC Exam) Overview
Purpose of the PCC Exam

The PCC Exam is a newly developed exam designed to test core competencies primarily for
early-career and entry-level paralegals. Its purposes are to:

• provide the groundwork for expanding paralegal roles and responsibilities;

• provide the public and legal community with a mechanism to gauge the core
competencies of paralegals; and
• be used in states considering the regulation of paralegals.

Number of Questions

The PCC Exam contains a total of 125 multiple-choice questions with four choices. Candidates
are allowed two and one-half (2½) hours to complete the exam. There are 110 scored questions
and 15 unscored questions (pretest questions) that are randomly distributed throughout the test
and not identified. The candidate’s test score is based on the responses to the 110 scored
questions. The 15 pretest questions are not counted in scoring and are used for statistical
purposes only. Pretest questions are essential in building the bank of PCC Exam questions that
are available for use on future exams. The use of pretest questions is a common practice in the
certification arena.

Basis for Exam Content

The PCC Exam is based on the results of a Role Delineation Study (RDS), also called a Practice
Analysis or Job Analysis. NFPA contracted with PES to conduct the RDS. An independent task
force of paralegals, paralegal educators, attorneys, and members of the public participated in the
study, from the preparation of the initial RDS for paralegals through the creation of the exam and
ongoing revisions.

This type of study is conducted approximately every five years to ensure that exam content
remains relevant and current to practice.

Exam Standards

NFPA is committed to offering a fair, valid and reliable exam. A fair exam is one that is not
biased for or against any group of paralegals with respect to ethnic background, geographic
locale or any other demographic characteristics. A valid exam accurately reflects the knowledge
and skills required for competent practice. All questions appearing on the exam have been
validated using accepted psychometric rating scales. The RDS further enhances the exam’s
validity. Reliability means the exam is consistent in its measurement of the knowledge and skills
required for competent practice. Each scored exam question is inspected annually for reliability,
fairness, and validity. Each scored exam question has been verified for accuracy and referenced
to a widely available and reputable source. Exam questions for the PCC Exam are developed by

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practicing paralegals and other content specialists under the guidance of testing specialists from
PES.

Test Specifications

The test specifications (blueprint) for the PCC Exam were derived from the RDS. Two major
areas (domains) of practice were outlined in the RDS. The percentage of questions in each
domain is presented below:

% of
Domain
Questions
Paralegal Practice 52%
Substantive Areas of Law 48%

A complete list of the PCC Exam test specifications can be found in Appendix A.

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Studying for the Exam
Exam Preparation

Candidates should prepare thoroughly prior to taking the PCC Exam. To help prepare for the
exam, candidates should review the test blueprint and recommended study references.

Test Blueprint

The percentage of test questions asked in each domain is presented in the section on Test
Specifications. A complete outline of the test specifications that includes the tasks performed in
each domain can be found in Appendix A.

After carefully reviewing the test blueprint and identifying individual learning needs, exam
candidates should identify additional references and study opportunities as necessary.

Study References

Suggested reference sources for the PCC Exam can be found in Appendix B. This is not an all-
inclusive list and the materials listed should not be considered the only possible study guides for
the exam.

Additionally, a PCC Exam Study Manual is available for purchase through the NFPA website.
The cost is $75 plus shipping and handling.

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Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to take the PCC Exam, candidates must meet the education and work experience
requirements listed below. Eligibility requirements for the exam can also be found at
http://www.paralegals.org.

Work Experience and Education Requirements

Candidates must meet one of the following education and/or work experience requirements in
order to be eligible to take the PCC Exam.
Note: Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria at the time they apply for the exam and must
attest to this fact when submitting their application.

• A bachelor’s degree in any subject, a paralegal certificate, no experience or continuing legal

education (CLE); OR

• A bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies or legal studies, no experience or CLE; OR

• A bachelor’s degree in any subject, no paralegal certificate, 6 months of experience and 1

hour of ethics taken in the year preceding the exam application date; OR

• An associate’s degree in paralegal studies or legal studies, no experience or CLE; OR

• An associate’s degree in any subject, a paralegal certificate, no experience or CLE; OR

• An associate’s degree in any subject, no paralegal certificate, 1 year of experience and 6

hours of CLE, including 1 hour of ethics taken in the year preceding the exam application
date; OR

• Active duty, retired or former military personnel qualified in a military operation specialty as
a paralegal and 1.0 hour of Ethics CLE within the year preceding the exam application; OR

• Candidates who are within two months of graduating and registered for the PCC Exam by a
Director of a paralegal studies program participating in the PCCE Assurance of Learning
(AoL) Program at the Partner level; OR

• A paralegal certificate from a program that meets or exceeds the requirements set forth in
NFPA’s Short Term Paralegal Program Position Statement (see Appendix F for a copy of
the position statement), 1 year of experience and 6 hours of CLE, including 1 hour of ethics
taken in the year preceding the exam application date; OR

• A high school diploma or GED, 5 years of experience and 12 hours of CLE, including 1 hour
of ethics taken in the 2 years preceding the exam application date.

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Degrees obtained outside the United States must be evaluated by a professional evaluator for
their equivalence to United States degrees. Paralegal certificates obtained outside the United
States must be evaluated by the Paralegal Certification Standards Committee.

To determine whether an educational program is institutionally accredited, see the listing of

recognized accrediting agencies in Appendix C.

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Character and Fitness Requirements

Candidates applying for the PCC Exam may be disqualified for any one of the following reasons:

1. Conviction of a felony or comparable crime as defined by an individual state that does not
have a felony designation; OR

2. Currently under suspension, termination, or revocation of a certificate, registration, or license

to practice by a professional organization, court, disciplinary board or agency in any
jurisdiction.

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Applying for the PCC Exam

The PCC Exam is a computer based exam offered only at Prometric Test Centers (PTCs)
throughout the United States and Canada. PCC Exam candidates can take the exam at any PTC
in the U.S. or Canada. A current list of PTCs is available online at
http://www.prometric.com/nfpa.

90 Day Testing Period

Once your application has been processed, you will receive notification from NFPA advising you
that you are eligible to take the PCC Exam. You have 90 days from the date on the notification
letter to take the PCC Exam at your choice of Prometric Test Centers.

Submitting an Application

To submit an application, go to the NFPA website, www.paralegals.org, and follow the link to
apply for the PCC Exam.

To access the application, candidates will need to log in by providing an email address
(username) and password. If you do not have an email address, you can obtain a free email
address through Internet sites such as gmail.com, yahoo.com, hotmail.com, etc. Make sure that
you enter your email address accurately when you submit your application since this
address will be used to send confirmation and other correspondence related to the exam.
Candidates will create a user profile that includes their personal and contact information. Note:
The name you use on your application must match the name that appears on the ID you
will use as proof of identity to take the exam. Therefore, when you apply for the exam, please
make sure to enter your name exactly as it is appears on your current, government-issued photo
ID.

Candidates can only have one open application at a time. To complete the application,
candidates will need to indicate their eligibility route, the education (both school and level) they
received, their application status (first-time or retake) and whether they are requesting special
testing accommodations. In addition, candidates will need to indicate their agreement to a
certifying statement before the application can proceed. Finally, payment must be made by
credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express) at the time of application.

Once an application has been submitted, no changes other than contact information (address
changes) can be made.

Special Testing Accommodation Requests

To comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Title VII of the Civil Rights
Act, special testing accommodations will be considered for individuals with disabilities
recognized by the ADA. Candidates who require special accommodations must indicate this
when they submit their application. Candidates must specify the specific accommodation(s) that
will be needed and must also submit the Special Testing Accommodation Request form found in

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Appendix D. This form must be completed by a suitably licensed professional. The nature of the
disability, identification of the methods used to confirm the diagnosis, a description of past
testing accommodations made for the disability, if applicable, and the specific testing
accommodation(s) requested must be included. Candidates must email or fax the Special Testing
Accommodation Request form to Prometric so that it is received within five (5) business days of
submitting their application. Requests received after the deadline will not be processed.

With respect to testing accommodations, NFPA and Prometric will only communicate with the
candidate, professionals knowledgeable about the candidate’s disability, and the candidate’s
authorized representative (if applicable).

Candidates who do not provide the required information by the deadline or whose special
accommodations were denied have the option to take the exam without the accommodation(s).
Candidates who elect not to take the exam will forfeit their exam fee.

Exam Fee

The cost to take the exam depends on whether the candidate is a NFPA member. The exam fee
for non-NFPA members is $250; for NFPA members the exam fee is $215. In addition, all
candidates must include a $25 application processing fee.

Application forms and supporting documentation that are incomplete, not legible, or lacking the
required supporting documentation will be returned to you along with the exam fee. You will be
required to resubmit all documentation with the appropriate exam fee ($215 or $250) plus an
additional application processing fee of $25.

The exam fee is non-refundable except in the event of a medical or personal emergency. See the
section on Medical/Personal Emergencies for more information.

Payment Methods

The exam fee is due at the time of application submission. Candidates can pay for the exam by
using one of the following credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. No
other forms of payment will be accepted.

Application Confirmation and Receipt

Candidates who successfully submit an application will receive a confirmation page. Review
the confirmation page carefully to make sure the information you entered is accurate and
print a copy of the page for your records. If necessary, you can go back into your application
to correct any errors.

Candidates who successfully submit an application will also receive an email confirmation
within 24 hours indicating that they have paid for the exam. If you do not receive the
confirmation page or email confirmation when you submit your application, please contact
NFPA at [email protected].

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Authorization to Test Letter

Once eligibility has been verified by NFPA and Prometric has confirmed receipt of a candidate’s
testing information, an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter will be sent by via email to all eligible
candidates. The ATT letter will provide information on how to schedule, reschedule and cancel
an appointment with Prometric. Candidates who apply without requesting special
accommodations should receive their ATT letter within 14 days of application submission.
Candidates who apply and request special accommodations should receive their ATT within 14
days of receipt of their special accommodation documentation. If you have not received an ATT
letter within this timeframe, contact NFPA. The ATT letter also serves as a receipt of payment
for the exam. Candidates can access the ATT letter online by logging back into their application.
They will need to enter the email address and password they used when they initially applied,
and can then follow the instructions to view, print, or get an email copy of their ATT letter.

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After Applying for the PCC Exam
Scheduling an Exam Appointment with Prometric

As soon as you have received your ATT letter, you may contact Prometric to schedule a time to
take the exam. The ATT letter will contain a toll-free telephone number for contacting Prometric
as well as a website address where you can schedule your exam online.

You must schedule your appointment and test within 90 days of the date printed on your
ATT letter. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of your exam fee. If an emergency situation
arises that prevents you from taking the exam, contact NFPA Headquarters at
[email protected]. See the section on Medical/Personal Emergencies for more information.

Exam appointments may be scheduled with Prometric online or by phone. When scheduling an
appointment, the following information will be required:

• your name exactly as it is printed on the ATT letter,

• your PCC Exam ID number as it is listed at the top of the ATT letter,
• your primary telephone number,
• the name of the exam sponsor (NFPA) and the exam you are taking (PCC Exam), and
• your email address, if scheduling online.

Online scheduling is encouraged because it is faster and more efficient. Candidates who
schedule online will receive an email confirming their exam appointment and their confirmation
number. To schedule online, go to www.Prometric.com/nfpa and click on
“Schedule a Test.”

Exam appointments can also be scheduled by phone Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00
p.m., Eastern Standard Time. To schedule by phone, call Prometric at 1-800-699-4975.
Candidates who schedule by phone will not receive written confirmation of their appointment
unless they have provided an email address, so it is imperative to note the appointment details
and appointment confirmation number.

Candidates are strongly encouraged to use the Prometric website to schedule their appointment
since they will be able to select from a variety of options at their convenience.

Note: Candidates who have been approved for special testing accommodations must schedule
their appointment by telephone by calling Prometric’s Special Accommodations Customer
Service Call Center at 1-800-967-1139.

Whether you schedule your appointment online or by phone, make sure to retain your
appointment confirmation number. This number differs from your PCC Exam ID number and is
required to confirm, reschedule, or cancel an appointment with Prometric. It is highly
recommended that candidates confirm their exam appointment within 48 hours of making it.
Appointments can be confirmed online at www.Prometric.com/nfpa. The appointment
confirmation number will be required in order to do so.

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Note: All scheduling, rescheduling, and cancellation of exam appointments must be made
through Prometric, not NFPA. If you experience problems trying to schedule an appointment
with Prometric, (e.g., your PCC Exam ID number cannot be found in the Prometric system),
contact Prometric Customer Service at 1-855-754-7288 (toll free) or (847) 686-2247 NFPA
Headquarters at [email protected] for assistance.

Schedule an Exam Appointment Early

It is highly recommended that candidates schedule their exam appointment as soon as they
receive their ATT letter. Candidates who attempt to schedule an appointment toward the end of
their 90 day testing period may not be able to test at a time and PTC of their choice.

Prometric Test Center (PTC) Locations

Prometric currently has more than 250 test centers throughout the United States and Canada.
Before scheduling your appointment, be sure to visit the Prometric website
(www.prometric.com/nfpa) to determine the PTC closest to you. Most PTCs are open Monday
through Saturday. Prometric reserves the right to change test center locations as necessary. If
Prometric needs to change or cancel your exam appointment, you will be contacted by Prometric
directly.

Candidates are strongly advised to physically locate the PTC prior to their test date to make sure
they can find the test center and are aware of transportation and parking requirements. Driving
directions can be obtained through www.prometric.com. The most up-to-date list of PTCs is
available online at www.Prometric.com/nfpa.

Updating Contact Information

It is important to make corrections or notify NFPA Headquarters of any name or address change
as soon as possible for the following reasons:

1. if the name on your unexpired government-issued ID does not match the name on your
ATT letter, you may be denied admission to the PTC,
2. your score report and certificate may not display your name properly, and
3. your score report and/or certificate may get lost in the mail since this information will be
used to mail these items.

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 Name Changes:

To correct minor changes in your name (e.g., incorrect middle initial, missing hyphen,
misspelling) as printed on your email acknowledgement or ATT letter, email NFPA
Headquarters at [email protected] and provide them with the correction(s) at least ten
(10) business days before your exam appointment. For security reasons, name changes
cannot be made online after the application has been submitted.

To change your name because of a legal name change (e.g., marriage, divorce), you must
submit the original documentation with embossed (raised) seal to NFPA by mail so that it
is received at least ten (10) business days before your scheduled exam appointment. If
you are unable to submit the documentation within this timeframe, please contact NFPA
Headquarters for assistance.

When submitting a name change, make sure that you have an unexpired government-
issued ID that matches the requested name. When appearing for the exam appointment,
candidates without a valid, unexpired ID will not be admitted to take the exam and will
forfeit their exam fee.

Address Changes:

If your address changes at any time before, during, or after your 90 day testing period and
you have not yet received your score report and certificate, notify Prometric immediately
since score reports and certificates are mailed to the address listed on your application.
You can update address information in your application by going to NFPA’s website,
www.paralegals.org, and following the link to apply for the PCC Exam. You will need to
log into your application by entering the email address and password you used when you
initially submitted your application in order to make an address change.

Rescheduling your Exam Appointment

Candidates can reschedule an exam appointment as often as they like within the 90 day testing
period. Test center seats fill up quickly so it is advisable to reschedule your appointment as soon
as possible.

As of January 13, 2013, you will be required to pay a rescheduling/cancellation fee if you cancel
or reschedule your testing appointment less than 31 days before your scheduled test date. If you
reschedule or cancel during the 3-30 day period before the scheduled test day, the fee will be
$62.50 per reschedule/cancellation. If you reschedule or cancel less than 3 days before the
scheduled test date, the full candidate testing fee will be charged. You must reschedule by
midnight Eastern Standard Time (EST) at least two (2) calendars days prior to your appointment
to avoid paying the full candidate testing fee. This fee will be assessed online if you reschedule
or cancel online at www.Prometric.com/NFPA, or by Prometric customer service if you cancel
over the phone. If a timely cancellation is made, you will be permitted to reschedule the
examination date within the same 90-day window following your confirmation notice.

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Candidates who do not reschedule an appointment within this timeframe and/or who do not
appear to take the exam will be considered no-show candidates and will forfeit their exam fee.
Candidates who attempt to reschedule their appointment toward the end of the 90 day testing
period cannot be guaranteed that a seat will be available and risk forfeiting their exam fee. To
reschedule an appointment, contact Prometric at www.prometric.com/nfpa or call 1-800-699-
4975.

Changing your Test Center Location

Candidates can change their test center location; however, doing so will cancel their previously
scheduled appointment. Test center changes must be made at least three (3) business days before
your schedule appointment date. Candidates who do not change the test center location within
this timeframe and/or who do not appear to take the exam will be considered no-show candidates
and will forfeit their exam fee. Candidates who attempt to change their test center toward the end
of the 90 day testing period may not be able to reschedule at a time and test center of their
choice. To change test centers, contact Prometric at www.prometric.com/nfpa or call 1-800-699-
4975.

Exam Cancellation (Withdrawal)

Candidates are strongly encouraged to make sure that they are eligible and intend to take the
exam before submitting an application since candidates who cancel their exam and do not
reschedule or do not appear for their scheduled appointment will forfeit their exam fee. No
refunds will be issued to candidates who cancel and do not reschedule their appointment or to
candidates who do not show up to take their exam.

No-Shows

Candidates who do not appear for their scheduled exam appointment or arrive late will be
considered no-shows and will forfeit their exam fee. If a sudden or unforeseen emergency
occurs on the day of the exam or prevents you from rescheduling your appointment within the
required timeframe, contact NFPA Headquarters at [email protected]. See the section on
Medical/Personal Emergencies for more information.

Candidates who do not schedule an appointment and test within their 90-day testing period will
be considered no-shows and will forfeit their exam fee. Therefore, candidates are advised to
make sure that they will be able to test within the 90 days of the date they submit an application.

Medical/Personal Emergencies

The exam fee is non-refundable. However, in the event of a medical or personal emergency
(e.g., personal illness, illness or death of immediate family member, traffic accident, etc.), you
may be considered for a partial refund. If you have a medical or personal emergency on the day
of the exam or an emergency that prevents you from rescheduling your appointment within the
required timeframe, contact Prometric Customer Service as soon as possible, but no later than

19
five (5) business days after your scheduled test date at www.prometric.com/nfpa or call 1-800-
699-4975.

You will be required to submit appropriate documentation to NFPA, such as a letter from a
physician, death certificate or notice, etc. so that it is received within five (5) business days of the
date you notified NFPA about the emergency, as noted in the previous paragraph. If approved, a
partial refund (that excludes the cost for processing the application and reserving a seat at the test
center) will be issued to the credit card that was used when you submitted your application.

20
On Exam Day

Presenting Proof of Identity

All candidates must provide positive proof of identity by presenting two forms of identification.
One of these must be an unexpired government-issued photo ID with a signature. Examples of
government-issued IDs are a driver’s license with a photograph, a military photo ID, or a
passport. The name on the ID must match the name used on the application and the ATT letter
and the photo must validate the candidate’s identity. A school ID or an employee ID are
acceptable as secondary forms of identification provided the name, signature, and/or photo on
the ID matches the government-issued ID.

Candidates who arrive at the test center without the required identification will not be allowed to
test and will forfeit their exam fee.

Hyphenated Names/Middle Name vs. Middle Initial

Candidates with hyphenated last names whose photo IDs show only one of the last names may
be admitted if the single name matches part of the hyphenated name and the signature and
photograph clearly match. Candidates whose middle names are spelled out on their ID but are
listed with an initial on the application may be admitted as long as the initial matches the first
letter of the middle name and the signature and photograph clearly match. This also applies to
candidates who use their middle name instead of their first name on their application but their ID
displays their first, middle, and last names.

Prometric Test Center Rules

The following rules are enforced at all Prometric test centers to ensure a fair and consistent test
experience for all candidates:

• All candidates must arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes before their scheduled
reporting time.
• All candidates must present positive proof of identity as described above in order to be
admitted to the test center.
• Admittance to the testing center is by appointment only. Candidates must be present at
the time and location of their appointment to be admitted.
• No test materials, documents, or memoranda of any sort may be taken into or from the
test room.
• Smoking is prohibited.
• Candidates may not ask test center proctors or any other individuals’ questions about
exam content.
• All exam administrations are monitored and may be recorded in both audio and video
format.
• No breaks are scheduled during the exam. Candidates who have to leave the testing room
to take a break (e.g., to use the restroom) will not be given extra time on the exam. To re-

21
 enter the testing room, candidates must sign-in and present their identification documents
again.
• Candidates may not leave the test center while the exam is in progress.
• None of the following items, including but not limited to food, drinks, purses, briefcases,
notebooks, calculators, pagers, cellular telephones, recording devices, and photography
equipment are allowed in the testing room.
• It is expressly prohibited to disclose, publish, reproduce, or transmit any part of the exam
in any form, by any means, verbal or written, for any purpose without the express written
permission of the certifying organization. Violation will result in civil and/or criminal
prosecution.
• Religious headwear may be worn into the testing room; however, it may be subject to
inspection by a test center administrator before entry in the testing room is permitted.
• Candidates are expected to behave in a civil manner when on the premises of the test
center. Exhibiting loud and/or abusive behavior toward the test center staff or other test
candidates may result in forfeiture of your exam fee and/or criminal prosecution.
• Any request to bring medical equipment of any kind, or food (if a candidate is diabetic or
subject to hypoglycemia) into the test center must be made when applying for the exam
using the Special Testing Accommodations form (see Appendix D) as described in this
Handbook. If this request is not made as described in this Handbook, candidates
will not receive the accommodation at the test center and the candidate may not be
able to test. In this instance, the exam fee will be forfeited.

Please remember that other exams are being administered at the same time that you are taking
your exam so you may hear typing on keyboards for an essay exam, coughing, and/or people
entering and leaving the testing room. It is impossible to provide a completely noise-free testing
environment. The Prometric Test Centers allow candidates to bring small earplugs that can be
inserted inside the ear. Candidates are not allowed to bring in headsets or headphones. Earplugs
and glasses are subject to inspection by the test center administrator before entry into the testing
room is permitted.

Candidates may be dismissed from the test and/or scores may be cancelled for any of the
following reasons, including but not limited to:

• failure to provide positive proof of identity and/or signature identification;

• not following testing directions and procedures;
• using unauthorized aids;
• creating a disturbance or giving or receiving help on the exam;
• attempting to remove test materials or notes from the exam room;
• impersonating another candidate;
• failure to provide appropriate payment for the exam.

NFPA and Prometric reserve the right to cancel any test score believed to be obtained in a
questionable manner.

22
Inclement Weather/Local or National Emergencies

In the event of inclement weather or a local or national emergency, please contact Prometric at
the number provided in your ATT letter or go to www.prometric.com/sitestatus to determine the
appointment status. If the center is open, candidates are expected to arrive for their appointments
or forfeit their exam fee. If the center is closed and appointments are cancelled, candidates
should wait two (2) business days before calling to reschedule their appointments.

Taking an Exam by Computer

A brief tutorial will be provided prior to the start of the exam to instruct candidates on how to
mark and unmark answers, how to navigate through the exam, etc. A clock that counts down the
time remaining on the exam will appear on the screen throughout the entire testing session.
When taking the exam, you can skip questions, change your answers to questions, and mark
questions for review so that you can come back to them later. Each question on the PCC Exam
is a multiple-choice question that lists four choices, only one of which is the correct or best
answer. You should read the entire question and all four choices before marking your answer.
There is no penalty for guessing, so candidates should answer all the questions, if possible. You
should answer the easy questions first and mark the more difficult ones to return to later. At the
end of the exam, there are optional survey questions regarding the test-taking experience which
candidates are encouraged to answer. Responses to the survey are confidential and will not affect
your score on the exam

AB

23
After Taking the Exam
Receiving Exam Scores

Prior to leaving the test center, candidates will receive a score report. Passing candidates will
receive a commemorative certificate from NFPA, approximately six to eight weeks after passing
the exam. The certificate (if applicable) will be sent to the mailing address provided in your
application, so make sure that you update your address if it has changed. Under no circumstances
will scores or pass/fail information be released over the phone, via email or Internet, or by fax.

The score report provides the scale score in each domain and the total scale score and indicates
whether the candidate passed or failed the exam. In order to pass the exam, candidates must
obtain a total scale score of 550 or higher. See the following section on Scoring of Exams for
more information. Due to the need to maintain test security, exam questions and answers will not
be released to candidates.

Scoring of Exams

Scale scores are used when scoring the PCC Exam. The scale score range for the PCC Exam is
300 to 700, with 550 set as the passing point. Different scales are often used to transform and
report scores on an exam – these are commonly called scale scores. The reason for using scale
scores instead of raw scores (the number of questions answered correctly) is to make scoring
comparable from one exam form to the next.

Although all exam forms are based on the same test blueprint and are carefully constructed to
have similar difficulty levels, slight differences in difficulty are unavoidable. To ensure that
candidates who take an easier or more difficult form of the exam do not have an advantage or
disadvantage, a statistical process called equating is used to adjust for the difficulty level of the
form. For example, candidates who take a more difficult form may need to answer fewer
questions correctly in order to pass whereas candidates who take an easier form may need to
answer more questions correctly to pass the exam. Although the raw score passing point may
change to account for the difficulty of the form, the scale score passing point is always set at the
same point on the scale, i.e., 550. Since raw scores usually differ slightly from one form to the
next, many certifying bodies use scale scores so that the passing point can be provided to
candidates prior to the exam.

Setting the Passing Point

The passing point for the PCC Exam was determined by a passing point study using the
modified-Angoff method. The Angoff method is a commonly used criterion-referenced passing
point methodology in the credentialing industry. For each exam, a panel of NFPA content
experts independently rated each question on the exam in terms of how many of the just barely
qualified candidates will answer each question correctly. These ratings were then used to
determine the passing point by averaging the panel’s ratings for each question and summing the
averages across panel members.

24
Retaking the Exam

NFPA does not limit the number of times a candidate may retake the PCC Exam. However,
candidates must wait at least six (6) months from the date they failed the exam before
reapplying. The applicant may apply to waive the six (6) month waiting period and retest at their
own risk no earlier than four (4) weeks after the original exam date and before the next
scheduled scoring run. Appendix H. The additional testing fees would be submitted at the
applicant’s own risk and will not be refunded. The exam fee and application procedures for
candidates retaking the exam are the same as those for first-time candidates.

Requesting a Duplicate Score Report and/or Certificate

Candidates can obtain a duplicate copy of their official score report and a duplicate copy of their
commemorative certificate. The fee for each document is $10. Contact NFPA at
[email protected] for instructions on how to submit a request.

25
Recertification
Maintaining the CRP™ Credential

Maintaining an active certification status through recertification is the way in which certified
professionals demonstrate to the public that they have current and up-to-date knowledge and
experience. Candidates can recertify by satisfying the recertification requirements listed below.

To maintain your PCC Exam Core Registered Paralegal (CRP™) credential, you must obtain
eight (8) hours of continuing legal education (“CLE”) in a legal or specialty field every two (2)
years from the date the exam was successfully passed. At least one (1) hour of the 8 required
CLE hours must be in legal ethics. CLE hours may be obtained through pro bono work,
teaching/lecturing on substantive legal topics, authoring and publishing substantive legal articles
and self-study within established guidelines. Dual credentialed paralegals in good standing
holding both the CRP™ and the RP® credentials may use the same CLE hours required in the
renewal process, as long as it is within the two year time period according to their renewal date.
See the links about a CRP’s CLE requirement at www.paralegals.org.

The deadline for submitting proof that you have obtained the required CLE credits is every
two years on the anniversary of the date you took the exam. You should plan on submitting
your renewal statement and CLE evidence approximately 60 days prior to the anniversary date of
your exam. NFPA will send you a reminder email before your deadline, but obtaining the
required 8 CLE credits and submitting your Renewal Affidavit with the required supporting
documentation on time is your responsibility. CRPs have an obligation to notify NFPA if
they move so that accurate contact information can be maintained. Failure to receive a reminder
email from NFPA is not an excuse – calendaring this important date is the responsibility of every
CRP.

Evidence of meeting the continuing education requirements must be submitted with the PCC
Exam Registration Statement and Affidavit of Continuing Education. A copy of the Registration
Statement and Affidavit of Continuing Education is located in Appendix E. The process to renew
your credential is handled totally online and can be located under Paralegal Education and
Certification and then Maintaining Your Credential. Proof of continuing education must be
submitted for seminars. Seminars that have not been approved by NFPA, a bar association, or
other NFPA-approved provider must be submitted and approved by the NFPA CLE
Coordinator first, together with a fee of $10.

Your CRP™ Renewal containing your Affidavit and supporting documentation as well as a letter
from the CLE Coordinator verifying your CLE, if necessary, must all be submitted at one time to
NFPA with the $35 (Member) $50 (Non-Member) registration fee. An additional fee of $50 will
be required to request an extension of up to 60 days or assessed as a late fee if the recertification
is not received prior to the deadline. Questions about renewing your CRP status should be
directed to the PCC Exam Coordinator for Renewals or you can simply email
[email protected] with your question

26
 Appendix A

Test Specifications for the

NFPA Paralegal CORE Competency Exam (PCC Exam)

% of Exam
Domain 01: Paralegal Practice 52%
Paralegal Profession
Role of paralegal in legal profession
National paralegal associations
Paralegal regulation (licensing and certification)
Ethics and Professional Practice
Advertising and solicitation
Confidentiality
Conflicts of interest
Communication of paralegal role to clients and to other legal professionals
Fees and client funds, fiduciary responsibility
NFPA code of ethics
Privilege
Rules of Professional Conduct, Rules of Responsibility, Rules of Ethical Conduct
Unauthorized practice of law
U.S. Legal System
Terminology related to legal and court systems
Administrative law
Branches of government (executive, legislative, judicial)
Case law
Codes (U.S. and state statutes as opposed to common law)
Constitutional law
Court personnel
Court rules
Court systems (including federal court system, state court systems, and appellate
systems, jury versus bench trial)
Criminal versus civil law

27
Legal Research
Primary Sources (including mandatory and persuasive)
Secondary Sources
Case Law
Statutory law (US and state statutes as opposed to common law)
Computer-Assisted Legal Research
Proprietary programs (developing queries)
• Lexis (including defining search terms and Shepard’s)
• Westlaw (including defining search terms and Keycite)
Free or less expensive internet sources
Nexis and other non-legal internet sources
U.S. and State reporters, state codified laws and rules, digests, legislative records,
administrative publications
Law review and journal databases
Manual (hardbound) legal research
Legal Writing and Critical Analysis
Written communication basics
Grammar, punctuation, spelling
Format, captioning, and parts of pleadings
Citation (including Blue Book and Association of Legal Writing Directors
Citation Manual [ALWD])
Critical analysis basics
Identify audience
Identify issues
Identify primary and secondary legal authority
Identify rules
Apply rules to fact pattern to solve problem
IRAC method of case analysis
Legal writing products
Types of pleadings (e.g., complaints, answers and other responsive pleadings,
forms)
Persuasive writing (e.g., briefs in support of summary judgment, motions to
suppress, briefs in support of motions)
Discovery requests and responses
Memoranda of law

28
 Case briefing
Settlements
Forms – locate and utilize
Client communications
Appellate briefing
Communication
Effective communication techniques
Electronic communication (e.g., email, social media, text messages)
Fact finding
Interviewing, including evaluating responses
Written correspondence
Law Office Management and Legal Technology
Case management systems
Conflict checks
Database management systems (e.g., elements, fields, relational operations)
Docketing and calendar control
Electronic discovery
Electronic filing
Litigation support systems
Office management tools
Retainer and fee arrangements
Spreadsheets
Timekeeping and billing
Word processing software
Civil Litigation
Terminology related to civil litigation
Filing – initial case, for appeal, jurisdiction/venue
Parties
Discovery (e.g., depositions, interrogatories, requests for production, third-party
discovery, request for admissions, e-discovery)
Document production and control
Process service
Third party actions
Entering and enforcing a judgment
Appellate process and procedure

29
 Trial Practice
Pre-trial preparation (e.g., motions in limine, direct and cross examination,
checklists/notebooks, opening and closing statements)
Exhibits/presentations
Witnesses/experts
Jury selection
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
Federal Rules of Evidence
% of Exam
Domain 02: Substantive Areas of Law 48%
Business Organizations
Terminology related to business organizations and corporate law
Type of entity (e.g., corporation, partnership, LLC, sole proprietorship,
S Corporation)
Entity formation and dissolution
Registering as a foreign corporation/entity (inter-state)
Governance (e.g., maintaining and filing annual reports, minutes, and resolutions,
maintaining corporate trail)
Contracts
Terminology related to contacts
Elements of a valid, enforceable contract (i.e., offer and acceptance, consideration)
Defenses (e.g., fraud, intent, statute of fraud, duress, impossibility, mistake)
Discharge of obligations
Remedies (e.g., specific performance, mitigation, expectation damages, liquidated
damages, restitution, reformation)
UCC (specific Titles, including I, II, III, IX)
Criminal
Terminology related to criminal law and procedure
Classifications of criminal conduct-- property, persons, morality, public order
Defenses
Constitutional rights
Elements of a crime
Evidence
Stages of criminal procedure (e.g., charging document, arraignment, pre-trial motions,
plea agreements)
Sources of criminal law (common law, statutory law, penal code, constitutional

30
 limitations)
Appeals procedures
Trial Practice
Pre-trial preparation (e.g., direct and cross examination, opening and closing
statements, witnesses/experts, exhibits, discovery)
Elements of a jury trial
Voir dire/jury selection
Estates, Wills and Trusts
Terminology related to estates, wills, trusts, and probate
Guardianship
Incapacity
Intestate succession
Living wills, healthcare proxies, durable power of attorney
Probate
Trusts
Wills (including validity, testamentary capacity, revocation)
Family
Terminology related to family law
Adoption
Alimony/spousal support/maintenance
Custody and visitation
Child support
Division of property
Divorce/annulment/separation
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
Paternity
Alternative Dispute Resolution (e.g., mediation, collaborative)
Real Estate
Terminology related to real estate law
Closing
Deeds
Easements and covenants
Financing, mortgages, promissory notes, foreclosure
Landlord-tenant
Liens

31
 Ownership types
Regulations and zoning
Rental and leases
Surveys
Title search
Types of transfers
Torts
Terminology related to torts
Elements of negligence (e.g., duty of care, breach of duty, causation, damages)
Types of Torts
Negligence
Intentional
Strict
Defenses (e.g., contributory, comparative negligence, assumption of risk)
Effects of insurance
Remedies
Damages
• Economic damages (e.g., medical bills, loss of earning capacity)
• Non-economic damages (e.g., mental anguish, disfigurement)
• Punitive damages
Injunctions

32
 Appendix B

Suggested Reference Sources for the

NFPA Paralegal CORE Competency Exam (PCC Exam)

General Texts

Bouchoux, D., A Practical Introduction to Paralegal Studies, Aspen, 2009.

Carper, D., McKinsey, J., and West, B., Understanding the Law, 5th Edition, Thomson West,
2008.

Eimermann, Thomas E., Currier, Katherine A., Introduction to Law for Paralegals: A Critical
Thinking Approach, 4th Edition, Aspen.

Eimermann, Thomas E., Currier, Katherine A., Introduction to Paralegal Studies: A Critical
Thinking Approach, 4th Edition, Aspen.

Goldman and Cheeseman, The Paralegal Professional, 3rd Edition, Pearson-Prentice Hall.

Hart, W. and Blanchard, R.D., Litigation and Trial Practice, Thomson Delmar Learning, 2007.

Hughes, R., .Surviving and Thriving In the Law Office, Thomson, 2005.

Maerowitz and Mauet, Fundamentals of Litigation for Paralegals, 6th Edition, Aspen.

PACE Study Manual, 6th Edition, 2011.

Roper, B., Practical Law Office Management, 3rd Edition, Thomson West, 2007.

Statsky, William, Introduction to Paralegalism: Perspectives, Problems and Skills, 7th edition.

Ethics Texts

ABA Model Guidelines for the Utilization of Paralegal Services.

Cannon, T, Concise Guide to Paralegal Ethics, 2nd Edition, Aspen, 2006.

Cannon, Ethics and Professional Responsibility, 5th Edition, Aspen.

Kauffman, K., Legal Ethics, Thomson, 2004.

NFPA Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Guidelines for Enforcement.

33
Orlik, Ethics for the Legal Professional, 7th Edition, Pearson-Prentice Hall.

Legal Research and Writing Texts

Bouchoux, Legal Research and Writing, 5th Edition, Aspen.

Bouchoux, D., Cite-Checker: A Hands-On Guide to Learning Citation Form, Thomson West.

Putman, W., Pocket Guide to Legal Writing, Thomson.

Yelin and Sambor, The Legal Research and Writing Handbook: A Basic Approach, 5th Edition,
Aspen.

Specific Practice Area Texts

Bouchoux, Business Organizations for Paralegals. 5th Edition, Aspen.

Buchbinder, D., and Cooper, R., Basic Bankruptcy Law for Paralegals, Abridged Edition,
Wolters Kluwer, 2009.

Buckley, William R. and Okrent, Cathy J., Torts and Personal Injury Law, 3rd Edition.

Ehrlich, J.S., Family Law for Paralegals, 4th Edition, 2008.

Hall, D., Criminal Law and Procedure, 5th Edition, Delmar Cengage Learning, 2009.

Helewitz, J., Basic Contract Law for Paralegals, Aspen, 2010.

Helewitz, J., Basic Real Estate and Property Law for Paralegals, 3rd Edition, Wolters Kluwer,
2009.

Helewitz, J., Basic Wills, Trusts, and Estates for Paralegals, 4th Edition, Wolters Kluwer, 2008.

Jennings, M., Business: It's Legal, Ethical, and Global Environment, 7th Edition, Thomson West,
2006.

Stim, R., Intellectual Property Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights, 2nd Edition, Thomson West,
2001.

34
General References

Baicker-McKee, Janssen, Corr, Federal Civil Rules Handbook: 2011, West, 2011.

Black's Law Dictionary

The Blue Book - A Uniform System of Citations

Brown, H., Fundamentals of Federal Litigation, Thomson, 2005.

http://www.uscourts.gov/FederalCourts.aspx, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure

http://www.uscourts.gov/FederalCourts.aspx, Federal Rules of Evidence

http://www.uscourts.gov/FederalCourts.aspx, Federal Bankruptcy Rules

http://www.uscourts.gov/FederalCourts.aspx, Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure

35
 Appendix C

ACCREDITING ORGANIZATIONS AND

FOREIGN DEGREE EVALUATION SERVICES

Accrediting Organizations

There is no centralized authority in the U.S. that exercises control over postsecondary
educational institutions. Each state assumes control over education within the state. However,
institutions of higher education are generally allowed to operate with considerable autonomy.

Accreditation has developed as a method of peer evaluation of educational institutions and

programs in order to insure a fundamental level of quality. National and regional associations
have developed criteria and procedures for evaluating institutions or programs to determine
whether or not they are providing basic levels of education.

Types of educational accreditation:

Institutional – applies to an entire institution, demonstrating that each of an institution’s parts is

contributing to the achievement of the institution’s objectives.

Programmatic – applies to programs, departments, or schools that are parts of an institution.

If your bachelor’s degree and/or paralegal certificate was awarded by a school accredited by an
association or agency not included on this list, you may request a review by the Certification
Standards Committee (the Committee). In order to apply for a review, you will need to
provide the Committee with a program catalog, institution catalog, and course syllabi. The
review process will take 45 days, and the Committee will make the final determination.

Degrees obtained outside the United States must be evaluated by a professional evaluation for
their equivalence to U.S. degrees. See below for foreign degree evaluation services. Paralegal
certificates obtained outside the United States must be evaluated by the Certification Standards
Committee.

New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher

Education
Barbara E. Brittingham, Director
3 Burlington Woods Drive, Suite 100
Burlington, MA 01803-4514
Phone: (781) 425-7700
www.neasc.org
(CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT)

36
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Elizabeth H. Sibolski, President
3624 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: (267) 284-5000
www.msche.org
(DE, DC, MD, NJ, NY, PA, PR, USVI)

North Central association of colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Sylvia Manning, President
230 South LaSalle St., Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1413
Phone: (312) 263-0456 or (800) 621-7440
(AZ, AR, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, NM, ND, OH, OK, SD, WV, WI, WY)

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Sandra E. Elman, President
8060 165th Avenue, NE, Suite 100
Redmond, WA 98052
Phone: (425) 558-4224
www.nwccu.org
(AK, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA)

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges

Belle S. Wheelan, President
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, GA 30033-4097
Phone: (404) 679-4501 or (800) 248-7701
www.sacscoc.org
(AL, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA)

Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and
Junior Colleges
Barbara A. Beno, President
10 Commercial Boulevard, Suite 204
Novato, CA 94949
Phone: (415) 506-0234
www.wascweb.org
(CA, HI, AMERICAN SOMOA, GUAM, REBUBLIC OF PALAU, FEDERATED STATES OF
MICRONESIA, COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS,
REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS)

37
Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and
Universities
Ralph Wolff, President and Executive Director
985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100
Alameda, CA 94501
Phone: (510) 748-9001
www.wascweb.org
(CA, HI, AMERICAN SOMOA, GUAM, REBUBLIC OF PALAU, FEDERATED STATES OF
MICRONESIA, COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS,
REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS)

American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar
Barry A. Currier
Interim consultant on Legal Education
ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar
321 North Clark Street, 21st Floor
Chicago, IL 60610-4714
Phone: (312) 988-6744
www.abanet.org/legaled

Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools

750 First Street NE, Suite 980
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Phone: (202) 336-6780
www.acics.org

Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges of Technology

2101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 302
Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: (703) 247-4212
www.accsc.org

Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and training

1722 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 955-1113
www.accet.org

Council on Occupational Education

7840 Roswell Rd., Bldg. 300, Ste 325
Atlanta, GA 30350
Phone: (800) 917-2081
www.council.org

38
FOREIGN DEGREE EVALUATION SERVICES

The following organizations provide evaluations, for a fee, of foreign degrees as to their U.S.
equivalent:

American association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers (AACRAO)

Foreign Credential Evaluation services
Website: www.AACRAO.org
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 202-296-3359

World Education Services, Inc.

Website: www.WES.org

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 Appendix D

SPECIAL TESTING ACCOMMODATION REQUEST FORM

Candidates with disabilities covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act should complete this form
and have an appropriate licensed professional complete the Documentation of Disability-Related Needs
form so their requests for accommodations can be processed efficiently. The information provided and
any documentation regarding the disability and the need for accommodation in testing will be treated with
strict confidentiality.

CANDIDATE INFORMATION

Last Name: ___________________________ First Name: ___________________ Middle Initial: _____

Address:_____________________________________________________________________________

City: _____________________ State: _____ ZIP/Postal Code: ___________ Country:______________

Primary Telephone Number: ___________________________

Test Date: __________________ Test Site: ________________________________________________

SPECIAL TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS

Please check the accommodation(s) that you require: (Check all that apply.)

Wheelchair access
Special seating
Reader
Extended Time (30 minutes)
Extended testing time (60 minutes)
Separate testing area

Please email this completed form to NFPA within five (5) business days of submitting your application.

Email the form to:

NFPA Headquarters
Email: [email protected]

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 DOCUMENTATION OF DISABILITY-RELATED NEEDS BY QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL

This section must be completed by a licensed health care provider or an educational or testing
professional to ensure that Prometric is able to provide the required test accommodations.

The nature of the disability, identification of the test(s) used to confirm the diagnosis, a description of past
accommodations made for the disability and the specific testing accommodations requested must be
included.

PROFESSIONAL DOCUMENTATION

I have known _____________________________________________ since ______________________

(Name of Candidate) (Date)

In my capacity as a(n) __________________________________________________________________

(Professional Title)

I have discussed the nature of the test to be administered with the candidate. It is my opinion that,
because of the candidate’s disability described below, he or she should be accommodated by providing
the special arrangements listed on the Special Testing Accommodation Request form.

Comments:
______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Signature:______________________________________________________________________

Title: ________________________________________________ Date: ____________________

License No. (if applicable): ________________________________________________________

Please email or fax this completed form to NFPA within five (5) business days of submitting your
application.

Email the form to:

NFPA Headquarters
Email: [email protected]

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 Appendix E

The National Federation of Paralegal Associations

Position Statement Regarding Short-Term Paralegal Programs

Recently, there have been many short-term paralegal programs offered for entry-level
paralegals. Many of these programs require less than nine semester credit hours. And
charge fees that average more per credit hour than non-short-term programs. These
programs not only provide a disservice to students who desire a paralegal certificate.
They are also a disservice to the employer who expects someone with a paralegal
education to have certain knowledge and skills upon graduation.
Most paralegal education programs have minimal standards recognized by paralegal
educators, lawyers and other paralegals. Some short-term programs are affiliated and/or
rent space from well-known colleges and universities which may lead students and
employers to associate the reputation of that facility with the program.
Short-term programs provide a disservice to students and prospective employers because:
1. Tuition fees often are often billed at a higher rate and students expect these short-term
programs will provide a complete paralegal education thereby ensuring that they will be
able to secure a paralegal position upon graduation from the program.

2. Fewer legal courses are taught in short-term programs, some of which do not cover
major areas of law.

3. Short-term programs do not provide enough semester credit hours to teach sufficient
legal theory and practical skills that are necessary in the workplace.

4. Reputations of colleges and universities offering these programs may also be harmed if
programs offered make misleading advertisements to paralegal students.

5. Consumers are aware of the value of paralegals and expect a certain level of service
from paralegals including the ability to perform complex assignments. Paralegal
education from a traditional paralegal program provides graduates with an ability to
perform those types of assignments.

6. The reputation of paralegals as cost-effective and valued members of the legal team
may be minimized if short-term programs lower education standards.

Employers who currently employ paralegals require them to have certain knowledge of
legal theory and skills. Many employers have worked with paralegals who have earned a
paralegal degree or certificate and are aware of the skills learned by such paralegals.
Short-term programs have the potential of harming the reputation of paralegals who have
attended traditional paralegal programs.

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CONCLUSION

NFPA, as the leader of the paralegal profession™, has an obligation to its members and
to the legal community to provide reliable, current and comprehensive information
relating to the paralegal programs so that paralegal students can perform their own due
diligence in the selection of a paralegal program. NFPA recommends that those colleges
and/or universities offering short-term paralegal programs evaluate the courses offered by
them to determine if those courses meet the following standards, which is a minimum of
at least 18 semester units of paralegal coursework and appropriate general education.

 Post-secondary coursework in substantive and procedural law, the American legal

system, law offices and related environments, the paralegal profession, legal
research and writing, ethics and areas of legal practice such as those described in
AAfPE’s Core Competencies for Paralegal Programs;

 No fewer than 18 semester credit hours (or the equivalent) of substantive

paralegal courses;

 The completion of a minimum of 60 semester (or the equivalent) of total

postsecondary study prior to graduation. A semester hour is equivalent to 15
classroom hours of at least 50 minutes in duration. The course offerings may be
for credit or not for credit, but should meet these minimum time periods;

 The paralegal education program must be offered by an institution that is:

• An institutional member of the American Association for Paralegal Education

(“AAfPE”); or

• A paralegal educational program approved by the American Bar Association; or

• A paralegal education program offered by an institution accredited by an agency

recognized by the United States Department of Education and offering courses at
the postsecondary level.

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 Quick Reference Guide

Contact Information

NFPA Headquarters
9100 Purdue Rd., Ste. 200
Indianapolis, IN 46268
Phone Number: (317) 454-8312
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.paralegals.org

Prometric
NFPA Certification Program
1501 S. Clinton St.
Baltimore, MD 21224
Tel: 1-800-699-4975
Website: www.prometric.com/nfpa

44
 Appendix F
Application for Waiver of Six (6) Month Waiting Period to Retake PACE/PCCE

Applicant Name:

Address:

City/State/Zip:

Email Address: Phone:

Date of Exam:

I am requesting a waiver of the six (6) month waiting period to retake

Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE)

Paralegal Core Competency Exam (PCCE)

________ (initial) I understand that I am retesting at my own risk before the next
regularly scheduled scoring run, but no sooner than four (4) weeks from original exam
date.

________ (initial) I understand that the additional testing fee is being submitted at
my own risk and will not be refunded.

Applicant Signature Date

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