In 1992, the National Federation of Paralegal Associations ("NFPA") adopted a resolution establishing a position on regulation of the paralegal profession. In 1994, that position was modified to endorse the establishment of the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam. ("PACE"). With the assistance of the Professional Exam Service, NFPA developed a computer generated two hundred question multiple choice exam designed to be taken within a four hour time period. Test question are based on federal law and address topics such as the administration and development of client legal matters, legal research, legal writing, office administration and ethics.

The purposes of PACE are to provide the groundwork for expanding paralegal roles and responsibilities, to provide the public and legal community with a mechanism to gauge the competency of the experienced paralegal; and to provide a standard for states considering regulation of experienced paralegals.

Paralegals wishing to sit for the exam should visit the NFPA website (www.paralegals.org) in order to obtain a PACE Candidates Handbook and learn more about the fees associated with the exam. The Handbook contains an application, information on exam content, sample exam questions, and logistical information on taking the exam at one of the more than two hundred Sylvan Technology Centers nationwide. Any member interested in applying for a PACE Scholarship should contact the NCAPA PACE Ambassador.

PACE is not an entry level exam and paralegals considering sitting for PACE are encouraged to contact the NCAPA PACE Ambassador or other NCAPA RPs with questions, concerns or suggestions on how to prepare for the exam. Successful strategies for preparing include studying on your own utilizing the PACE Study Manual, creating/joining a PACE study group or taking the seven week on-line American Institute for Paralegal Studies ("AIPS") PACE preparation course.

Once a paralegal has successfully passed PACE, he/she earns the Registered Paralegal ("RP") credential. In order to maintain the RP Credential, paralegals must complete twelve hours of continuing legal education ("CLE") credits, including at least one hour in ethics every two years. It is the individual RP's responsibility to obtain the necessary CLEs and provide documentation to NFPA in accordance with the renewal guidelines.