Okay, you’re thinking about getting your certification in paralegal studies. Congratulations! *insert party emoji*. You’ve thought long and hard about the process, requirements and the cost and you are instantly pumped about your new endeavor. Now the question remains, what are the benefits of becoming a certified paralegal? Does a certification in this area make sense for you and your future goals? Well that is something only you can answer. If you haven’t already thought about the pros and cons of becoming a certified paralegal, below is a quick list created in part by Paralegal Alliance. Since a paralegal certificate can be a valuable asset or a waste of time and money, making sure you know both the value and disadvantages of becoming certified is important.

BENEFITS

• Paralegal or Legal Assistant Certification shows potential employers that you are a professional willing to take the initiative to become certified and the responsibility of being held to the same ethical standards as members of Bar.
• Certification demonstrates an advanced knowledge and mastery of the profession and the skills required to excel in it.
• Those who participate in paralegal certification programs may be able to easier obtain employment and earn higher wages than those who choose not to take a paralegal certification exam.
• A paralegal certificate will satisfy the educational requirements of paralegal jobs in your area, when combined with your Associate Degree and previous work experience.
• Certificates can be earned in a few months, as opposed to the two years that it takes to earn an Associate degree.

DISADVANTAGES

• Unless you already have some type of degree and/or previous experience working as a paralegal, a Paralegal Certificate may not be worth the paper on which it is printed.
• a Paralegal Certificate is not a degree, it may not satisfy employers’ educational requirements for a paralegal position.
• You are required to maintain a certain amount of CLE credits to keep your certification. The amount varies based on the association you are certified through.
• Certification is not a requirement in order to become a paralegal. If you are not great at test taking and do not want to waste the money, that is okay. There are several ways to still become a paralegal.
• Some certification programs have eligibility requirements before they allow you to take the certification test. The requirements range from having a high school diploma plus seven (7) year’s experience as a legal assistant under the supervision of a member of the Bar to simply having one year of general office experience.