General Paralegal, State Requirements
FAQs - Paralegals
Paralegal Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements differ throughout the United States, with only five states—California, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, and Ohio—maintaining regulatory bodies for certified paralegals. In these regulated states, paralegals must fulfill a designated number of CLE hours within specific timeframes, typically including mandatory coursework in legal ethics or professional conduct. Compliance is generally achieved through participation in programs offered by accredited providers like LegalEdge, and failure to meet these requirements may result in decertification.
The process for obtaining CLE credits differs by jurisdiction, with some states permitting paralegals to self-apply for credits while others require participation in pre-approved courses. In states without formal CLE regulations for paralegals, participation remains voluntary, with guidance typically provided by the supervising attorney.
General Paralegal
No. Only five states—California, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, and Ohio—have official certification or regulatory bodies. In all other jurisdictions, compliance is non-mandatory and typically determined by the supervising attorney.
Paralegals in regulated jurisdictions can fulfill their CLE compliance by taking accredited CLE programs through LegalEdge.
If you’re a paralegal in California, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, or Ohio, choose a program from the LegalEdge catalog that includes your jurisdiction. When starting the program, select your jurisdiction and ensure the radio button for “I am requesting CLE through LegalEdge“ is checked. Then, go to “Requesting Credit?“, select “Yes“ for your jurisdiction, and enter “PARALEGAL“ in the License Number field along with a Bar Admission Date. Click Next to proceed.
If your jurisdiction is not listed, it means that paralegal CLE credits are not advertised on that program in LegalEdge.
Self-application policies vary by state.
Paralegals should refer to their respective state bar or regulatory body for submission requirements. Many states allow submission through an online portal or require a certificate of completion from an accredited provider such as CeriFi LegalEdge.
Yes. Failure to meet compliance requirements may result in decertification or suspension of paralegal certification in some states. Paralegals should verify their compliance deadlines and requirements with their regulating authority.
Most jurisdictions require CLE courses to be from an accredited provider. CeriFi LegalEdge offers accredited CLE courses that meet compliance requirements for all five regulated states.
State Requirements
- Total CLE Hours: 8 hours every two years
- Required Categories: At least 4 hours must be in legal ethics
- Self-Application Allowed? N/A - All California CLE-accredited programs qualify for paralegal credits.
- Total CLE Hours: 30 hours every three years
- Required Categories: 5 hours in ethics or professionalism, 3 hours in technology
- Basic Skills Requirement? Not required
- Florida Registered Paralegals need to post credit via their online profile.
- Total CLE Hours: 12 credit hours within three years preceding paralegal certification.
- Required Categories: At least 2.5 hours in professional conduct
- Self-Application Allowed? No
- Total CLE Hours: 6 hours each year
- Required Categories: At least 1 hour in legal ethics
- Self-Application Allowed? Yes, using the Paralegal’s Request for Approval of a CPE Activity form
- Total CLE Hours: 6 hours each year
- Required Categories: At least 1 hour in legal ethics
- Self-Application Allowed? No