Pa. Paralegal Association Rolls Out Certification Program

On April 12, the Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations — which is composed of eight paralegal associations throughout Pennsylvania: Central Pennsylvania Paralegal Association, Chester County Paralegal Association, Lancaster Area Paralegal Association, Lycoming County Paralegal Association, Montgomery County Paralegal Association, Philadelphia Association of Paralegals, Pittsburgh Paralegal Association and York County Paralegal Association — voted on a voluntary certification program for paralegals working in Pennsylvania. This groundbreaking program would allow paralegals to become “Pennsylvania Certified Paralegals” (Pa.C.P.) and is broken down as follows:

Qualifications and requirements of applicants:

1. Applicant must be a member in good standing of a Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations paralegal association;
2. Applicant must be a legal resident of the United States;
3. Applicant must satisfy education/experience or grandfathering requirements;
4. Applicant must submit declarations from one attorney in good standing with the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania who will attest to his/her direct knowledge of the applicant’s skill level and his/her work as a paralegal;
5. Paralegal making application under work experience only must submit declarations from two attorneys; and
6. Certified copy of applicant’s official transcript(s) from the educational institution(s) attended or a letter from the education institution(s) attended indicating the dates of the applicant’s attendance and the date(s) of the applicant’s graduation or a copy of the diploma/certificate received by the applicant from the education’s institution(s) attended. Certified Legal Assistants (CLA), Certified Paralegals (CP), Registered Paralegals (RP) or paralegals holding another paralegal credential approved and recognized by the Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations need only submit a copy of their original credential certification and their current letter of good standing. Applicants who are making application for certification under work experience only do not need to submit transcripts or diplomas/certificates.