Frequently Asked Questions
PACE®, Generally
Q. I know there are many paralegal exams out there. Which one is right for me?
A: There are many different paralegal exams available today. Not everyone meets the strict eligibility requirements to take PACE. Please check the eligibility requirements for PACE. If you do not meet these requirements, you might want to check out the other paralegal certification exams which do not require the combination of education plus experience that PACE does. For more information and comparison, please check out the comparison chart on the NFPA® Website at the following link: http://www.paralegals.org/associations/2270/files/PACEComparisonChart.cfm
Q: I graduated from paralegal school and they told me I am a Certified Paralegal. Can I use the RP® initials after my name?
A: If you obtained a paralegal certificate, you are certificated. This is NOT the same as being certified. You can only become certified if you take one of the paralegal certification exams that currently exist (PACE, the CLA/CP exam, or the PP exam offered through NALS). Many people, including some paralegal educators misuse these terms. “RP” and “PACE Registered” are registered trademarks owned by NFPA. You may only use these initials or phrases after your name if you have passed PACE and are in good standing.
Q: What does PACE cover?
A: PACE covers tasks that experienced paralegals routinely perform, regardless of the practice area or geographic region in which they live. These tasks were organized into 5 domains: Administration of Client Legal Matters (23%); Development of Client Legal Matters (30%); Factual and Legal Research (22%); Factual and Legal Writing (20.5%), and Office Administration (4.5%). More information on specific skills within each of these domains can be found on the NFPA website at http://www.paralegals.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=160. PACE is not practice area nor geographic-specific. Ethics are included in all of the above domains, as are technology and terminology.
Q: I have __years of experience as a paralegal, but it is all in _____(insert practice area). Will I be prepared to take PACE?
A: PACE is an exam for experienced paralegals only. It is not uncommon for paralegals who take PACE to have become specialized in one or more areas. PACE is not practice specific, so as long as you have studied for the exam, and have a competent working knowledge of the basics of various areas of law, experience in one area should not be a problem. Paralegals who have specialized in one practice area for 20 years or more have passed PACE. The level of study necessary to pass will depend on the individual’s background and experience, how much of the basics they retained from paralegal school, and various other factors. Many of the questions on PACE are not practice-area specific, but are hypothetical issues testing advanced application of general knowledge, paralegal experience, and critical analysis ability to identify the correct answer. Questions might be posed in a particular type of law practice setting, but the question might really be asking a general question, for example.
Q: How many questions are on the exam?
A: There are 200 multiple choice questions on the exam.
Q: How long does the exam last?
A: Candidates have up to 4 hours to take the exam. Many candidates finish in less than 2 hours.
Q: How can you test such a wide range of skills in a 4 hour exam? Shouldn’t it be much longer?
A: Testing experts have advised that an exam lasting 4 hours or less is sufficient to gauge the skill or competency level for most professions, including the paralegal profession. Any exam more than 4 hours in length will not test competency any better than a shorter exam, provided the shorter exam is well written, psychometrically sound, and properly constructed and validated. Another criteria is that the questions must be carefully constructed, as in PACE, to test on a higher cognitive level than a simple repeat of learned fact. The questions in PACE require an advanced competency level and analytical thought. The candidate must have a working knowledge of the basics of many areas of law, terminology, technology and ethics in order to select the best answer. Each question, therefore, tests skills on a variety of levels. Testing professionals advise that anything more than 4 hours long will simply retest the same information in different ways, and will ultimately be more of an endurance test than a test to validate core skills and competencies.
Q: Why doesn’t PACE incorporate a writing section?
A: Because of the education component for eligibility to take PACE, it is presumed that any candidate possesses sufficient writing and language skills to function at an advanced level of a law firm, corporation or entity. There is no need to test writing skills since writing courses are required in virtually every educational institution offering either a 4 year or 2 year degree, or certificate course. In addition, writing skills are tested in the multiple choice questions on the exam. In addition, a separate writing section would be subjective to evaluate; every element of PACE is objective, and each question is psychometrically sound. We believe that a validated, purely objective exam is more fair to each candidate.
Q: When can I get my results? Why does it take so long to get my official score?
A: At the conclusion of your exam, when you hit the “submit” button, you will be asked if you want to receive your preliminary, instant results. If you choose to get this information, in a few seconds you will be provided your preliminary score. This is NOT the official score, which is done only after all the candidate exams for your testing period are evaluated and reviewed by Professional Examination Services. It is possible that your official score might differ from your preliminary, instant result score and for that reason, we urge candidates who receive instant preliminary results that they have passed to wait to use the RP credential. In fact, the RP credential is intellectual property owned by NFPA and you may properly only use the designation when the official results have been obtained.
Because the official scoring runs are costly, our budget currently limits these to two per year. Scoring runs are done every March 31 and September 30 of each year. It can take up to two weeks thereafter for PES and the Vice President and Director of PACE to review and evaluate the official scoring run. You will be notified by letter from PES of your score and pass/fail status shortly after the scoring run. In addition, you will be congratulated by NFPA as well, and you will receive your certificate and wallet RP card (with your RP number).
Q: When is the next scoring run?
A: Scoring runs are done on March 31 and September 30 of each year. It can take up to two weeks to evaluate and certify the results.
Q: I am currently living in ___(insert name of country). Can I take PACE?
A: Candidates for PACE take the exam in a controlled, proctored, setting at select Prometric (formerly Sylvan Learning Center) testing facilities. There are hundreds of such facilities throughout the United States and many major U.S. cities have multiple facilities. Currently, the exam is offered only in the United States and Canada (including Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the American Trust Territories – Guam. We are hoping to be able to offer the exam overseas but at present, PACE is not offered overseas.
PACE Eligibility
Q: How much experience do I need to take PACE?
Q: How much education do I need to take PACE?
A: Requirements for a paralegal to take PACE include both work experience and education. Generally, the more formal education post-high school, the less experience is required. The paralegal cannot have been convicted of a felony nor be under suspension, termination, or revocation of a certificate, registration, or license by any entity.
Requirements are:
* An associates degree in paralegal studies obtained from an institutionally accredited school, and/or ABA approved paralegal education program; and six (6) years substantive paralegal experience; OR
• A bachelor's degree in any course of study obtained from an institutionally accredited school and three (3) years of substantive paralegal experience; OR
• A bachelor's degree and completion of a paralegal program with an institutionally accredited school, said paralegal program may be embodied in a bachelor's degree; and two (2) years substantive paralegal experience; OR
• Four (4) years substantive paralegal experience on or before December 31, 2000.
Q: I had a felony conviction. Can I still take PACE?
A: The paralegal cannot have been convicted of a felony nor be under suspension, termination, or revocation of a certificate, registration, or license by any entity.
Q: I am an attorney in ____ (insert name of country). I want to take PACE. Does my law school experience substitute for paralegal experience?
A: The PACE Standards Committee has determined that a candidate may use his law school experience to substitute for a paralegal certificate or an AA in paralegal studies. In some circumstances, it may also be used to substitute for the 4 year degree. In no circumstances may it be used to substitute for hands-on, full-time, substantive paralegal experience for purposes of PACE eligibility.
Q: Does a Master’s Degree substitute for a Paralegal Certificate?
A: No, unless the Master’s Degree is in paralegal studies.
Q: My paralegal certificate is not from an ABA approved school. Can I still use it for my PACE eligibility?
A: For PACE eligibility, it does not matter whether your paralegal school is/was ABA accredited. What does matter is whether your paralegal school is “institutionally accredited.” For more information on this, see the NFPA website at: http://www.paralegals.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=2.
Q: How is part-time experience, or experience as a legal secretary taken into account for PACE eligibility?
A: The amount of experience required for eligibility for PACE will depend on your particular level of formal, post-high school education. Regardless of the amount of experience, the experience requirement is listed as full-time, substantive paralegal work. If you only worked part-time, you cannot count part time work as full time and the months, days, years will be added to achieve the minimum experience requirement for the eligibility bracket you apply under. For example, a paralegal with a bachelor’s degree and no paralegal certificate needs the equivalent of 3 years of full-time, substantive paralegal work. If he/she only worked ½ time, or if only ½ of the work they did was substantive paralegal work (as opposed to clerical), that candidate would need 6 years of part-time work to qualify.
Q: I have 200 hours of undergraduate college credit but I do not have a bachelor’s degree. Will this substitute for having the degree for PACE eligibility?
A: No, the eligibility requirements are firm. You must have either a Bachelor’s degree (in any subject), an Associate’s Degree in paralegal studies, or a paralegal certificate to take PACE, unless you are eligible under the grandfather clause which allows candidates who had 4 years of full-time, substantive paralegal experience attained before 12/31/2000 to sit for PACE.
Q: My degree was obtained from a college outside of the United States. Will it count for PACE eligibility?
A: It might qualify. Degrees obtained outside the United States must be evaluated by a professional evaluator for their equivalence to U.S. degrees. Paralegal certificates obtained outside the United States must be evaluated by the PACE Standards Committee.
Q: I am not able to get a letter from my former employer because the attorney I worked for has died and (/or) the firm has closed. How do I document my experience?
A: You may also provide a letter from a PACE Registered Paralegal if he/she is familiar with your work and can attest to the length of time and the substantive nature of your work. In cases where it is impossible to obtain this information, you should provide an affidavit explaining the efforts you have taken to obtain the verification letter, and attach as many supporting documents as you can to document your work. You should also consult the Vice President and Director of PACE for further information.
Studying for PACE
Q. Can I study the PACE Study Manual (only) and pass the PACE exam?
A: The PACE exam covers an array of areas of law. It is suggested that you refer to the PACE Study Manual as well as supplemental resources that further enforce the sections in the manual. The PACE Study Manual contains a listing of various resources for your convenience. The extent to which you might need to consult additional study materials will depend on your own particular experience.
Q: Are there any courses I can take to prepare for the PACE exam?
A: We suggest the AIPs online review course that can be accessed through the NFPA website. This is a 7 week on-line course with homework assignments, discussion questions, and an on-line study hall where you can benefit from the varied experiences of paralegals around the country. This is especially beneficial since you need a working knowledge of many practice areas and the focus is national, not state-specific. The course ends in a mock PACE exam and the instructor works with each student to assist them in the areas in which they are weak. More information on the AIPS course can be found on the NFPA website at: http://www.paralegals.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=125. Please note that taking the course does not guarantee that you will meet the PACE eligibility requirements, and it does not guarantee a passing score.
Q: What is the on-line practice test and how will it help me study for PACE?
A: NFPA offers an on-line practice exam composed of questions similar to those on the PACE exam. The 100 practice questions are provided in a computer format, and they cover each of the 5 domains, technology, ethics and terminology. The chief advantage of the on-line mock exam is that it identifies the candidate’s weak areas, and provides the questions and correct answer to all questions missed on the mock exam. More information about this is available from the NFPA website at: http://www.paralegals.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=821. Please note that passing this mock exam does not guarantee PACE eligibility or a passing score on the actual exam.
Renewals
Q: I’ve moved or changed employers since my last renewal. What do I need to do to?
A: You will need to submit a change of address form. This form is available on the NFPA website under the drop down menu from PACE/RP. A change of address for the RP database is necessary because this database is separate from the membership database information submitted by your local association.
Q: I’m putting together my renewal package and I realize I have accumulated more than the required 12 hours of CLE. Can I save any of these “extra” hours to use for my next renewal?
A: Yes. An RP may carry forward up to 3 hours of CLE (not Ethics) that were not used for the current renewal. Any hours carried forward must have been earned with the six months immediately preceding your previous renewal deadline. For example, if your renewal deadline is June 10, 2009, you may carry forward to the subsequent renewal CLE hours earned between January 10, 2009 and June 10, 2009 to the renewal for June 10th, 2011. Those CLE hours cannot be Ethics hours. The Ethics CLE hours must be earned within the current two year renewal period.
Q: I have some extra hours that fall within the six month window and I want to use them for my next renewal what do I need to do?
A: If the extra hours (1-3) are part of a larger number of hours, e.g., a full day seminar for 6 CLE hours, and you are using 3 of those hours for the current renewal you will need to submit documentation of your attendance at the full day seminar; documentation of the number of hours approved for the seminar and note on the current Registration Statement and Affidavit of Continuing Education form that you are using only 3 hours of the total 6 hours for the current renewal. You will then need to retain for your records and submittal with the subsequent renewal a copy of the current renewal with the appropriate annotation, copies of the proof of your attendance and the number of hours approved for the seminar.
When the next renewal comes up, you will submit a copy of the previous
Registration Statement and Affidavit of Continuing Education form indicating that you applied only 3 hours of the total 6 hours for that renewal along with the copies you retained documenting your attendance and the number of hours of CLE approved for the seminar.
Q: How early can I submit my RP Renewal form and CLEs?
A: We prefer that you not submit your renewal more than 6-8 months in advance of your renewal date. Regardless of when you submit your renewal, it does not change the date of renewal.
Q: How do I know when my renewal is due?
A: Your renewal is always every other year on the anniversary date (the date you took the exam). You should consider your renewal due 60-90 days prior to the actual date your credential expires. You can check with NFPA HQ as to when your renewal is due, or you can consult the wallet card which gives your anniversary date, your credential expiration date, and your RP number. NFPA also makes every attempt to send timely reminder letters to the last known address of the RP. However, if you have moved since your last renewal, NFPA might not have your current mailing address. Please note that changing your mailing address on the RP database is entirely separate from changing your address for purposes of receiving the NFPA publication, National Paralegal Reporter, which comes from a different database.
It is actually quite easy to remember. Most RPs remember the day and the month in which they took PACE. If you took it initially in an even number year, your renewals are always due on that day in every even number year. The same is true if you took PACE in an odd number year – your renewals are always due on your anniversary date every odd number year.
You should submit your renewal 60-90 days ahead of the actual due date so that we will have time to advise you of any missing paperwork, CLE approvals, etc. before your renewal deadline.
Q: I have just realized that I missed my renewal date. Do I have to take PACE again? May I still use my RP credential? What can I do to come current in my registration?
A: First of all, you must realize that NFPA and the PACE Standards Committee expect calendaring of this important date to be automatic to PACE Registered paralegals. We do recognize that sometimes dates do slip up, and if you are within 60 days of missing your renewal date we can usually give you an extension, for good cause. You will need to pay the $25 late fee if your renewal is postmarked after your renewal date. If you are more than 60 days overdue, contact NFPA and we can advise you further depending on your situation. Only Registered Paralegals in good standing may use the “RP” or “PACE Registered” designations. These marks are registered and are the property of NFPA.
PACE Ambassadors
Q: I am the new PACE Ambassador for my association. Is there anything I should or shouldn’t be doing?
A: Congratulations on becoming a PACE Ambassador. You will find this experience to be very rewarding as well as fun. First, you need to know what a PACE Ambassador is:
A PACE Ambassador promotes PACE to his or her local paralegal association, the local bar associations, the local courts, law firms, and other members of the legal community, including those who employ paralegals outside of the traditional law firm.
There are various ways to promote PACE within your organization and the legal community at large:
• Write a column about PACE for your association’s newsletter.
• Be the guest speaker at a meeting and talk about the benefits of passing PACE.
• Conduct PACE outreaches to law firms, corporations and any other place that employs paralegals;
• Educate your local placement agencies about PACE. This will help them place Registered Paralegals in top notch positions.
• Start PACE Study Groups.
• Get your association’s Registered Paralegals involved by having them mentor those studying for PACE.
• Create a PACE link on your website and list all of your association’s RP’s.
• Write articles about PACE for your local bar associations’ newsletters.
• Have PACE brochures available at all of your meetings. You can order brochures from NFPA headquarters.
• Include PACE material in your association’s welcome package and in the membership renewal.
• Do a press release announcing the start of your program and name all the RP’s in your association. (Note: Be sure to get the RP’s permission first.)
• Send a congratulations letter to each RP in the association. As members pass PACE, send them each a letter. Be sure to include a PACE brochure for the RP’s file.
• Send a congratulations letter to the RP’s employer. Include PACE brochures in the letter. You can also ask the employer to contact you if they would like you to do a PACE outreach for the firm’s paralegals.
• Survey your RP’s and find out how the firm celebrates their achievement.
Q: I would like to be my association’s PACE Ambassador but I have not taken PACE. Can I still be the PACE Ambassador?
A: Yes. You do not have to be a Registered Paralegal to be your association’s PACE Ambassador. You have to have the desire to promote PACE to the best of your ability. It would be helpful to have the goal of taking and passing PACE as you will be able to describe first-hand how you handled the study process. This proves invaluable in describing the PACE experience and will actually help someone who is on the fence about taking PACE.
Q: Is there a way to contact other PACE Ambassadors to share information?
A: NFPA has provided us with a PACE Ambassador listserv. The purpose of the listserv is to share information with each. We use the listserv to answer questions and to find out what is working or not working for various associations. For example, you can find out how to plan a PACE Overview Seminar; ask for some PACE articles from other ambassadors; find out how to keep a study group together; or ask for sample homework assignments for the study groups. This listserv is used exclusively for the PACE Ambassadors.
Q: How much should my association budget for PACE?
A: Each association has different financial goals and receives support in various ways from member dues to vendors. You can start small by asking the association to purchase the PACE Study Manual for your association’s library. You can also purchase several manuals and raffle them off at your seminars and other events to increase interest in PACE. Your association should budget some money for you to attend a PACE Ambassadors’ Conference. If you send out congratulation letters to RP’s and their employers, you will need to budget for postage. If your association wants to give out RP pins, then you will need to include the cost into the seminar or event that will honor the RP’s.
As interest in PACE grows, your budget will grow. Some associations honor RP’s at a special luncheon and present them with RP pins. Some associations give PACE Scholarships. These are included in your budget unless you are able to get a vendor to underwrite the costs.
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