Pa.C.P. » FAQ

What is a paralegal?
The Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations defines a paralegal as a "person who is qualified through education, training or work experience to perform substantive legal work requiring knowledge of legal concepts and ethics and is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency, or other entity to work under the direction of a lawyer or pursuant to state statute, administrative regulation or court authority in a capacity that, in most instances, would be performed by a lawyer in the absence of a paralegal."

What is the Pennsylvania Certified Paralegal Program?
The Program is a voluntary certification program that is regulated through the Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations.  The Program challenges Paralegals to meet the minimum level of qualifications under either the Grandfathering or Educational Requirements. 

Why did the Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations choose to certify paralegals?
The Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations is offering a voluntary certification program to paralegals who are current members of one of the member associations of the Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations to identify individuals who are qualified by education, work experience and training and have the knowledge, skill and proficiency to perform substantive legal work requiring the knowledge of concepts and ethics and is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency, or other entity to work under the direction of a lawyer or pursuant to state statute, administrative regulation or court authority in a capacity that, in most instances, would be performed by a lawyer in the absence of a paralegal and to improve the proficiency and aptitude of those individuals by establishing mandatory continuing legal education and other requirements of certification.

Why did the Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations chose to create a voluntary program?
The Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations is offering a voluntary certification program to those individuals who chose to become a Pennsylvania Certified Paralegal and use the designation of Pa.C.P. to provide paralegal employees and employers a benchmark of qualified individuals that are competent to provide legal services under the supervision of an attorney.

Why would a Paralegal choose to apply for the Pennsylvania Certified Paralegal program?
Voluntary certification is a decision that each qualified individual must make for themselves.  Choosing to become certified would demonstrate a commitment to the paralegal profession and provide recognition that the professional standards have been met.  Certified paralegals are required to take continuing legal education courses in order to assist in keeping current in the legal field.  When choosing employment, the hiring process becomes easier as credentials are already verified through this program.

Will becoming a Pennsylvania Certified Paralegal help me find employment or obtain a promotion?
Becoming a Pennsylvania Certified Paralegal offers employers a benchmark for hiring and possible promotion opportunities.  It is the hope of the Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations that the Pennsylvania Certified Paralegal program will become the standard for hiring and/or promoting paralegals.

What is the best way to present the Pennsylvania Certified Paralegal program to my employer?
Attorneys need to know that the paralegals they employ are qualified through education, experience and training to provide legal services to their clients and members of the public.   This program is voluntary, yet it gives the employer a benchmark of the minimum standards of a qualified paralegal that they are considering for hire or promotion.  Even though paralegals work directly under the supervision of an attorney, paralegals are under the same ethical duties and requirements as attorneys to prevent the unauthorized practice of law.  The Program will not prevent attorneys from hiring uncertified paralegals, but it will help attorneys to identify qualified candidates.

^top