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160+ Free NALA CP Practice Questions

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ArticleHow to Become a Paralegal — Salary & Career Guide 202615 min read
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NALA CP Exam

120

Knowledge Exam Items

2026 NALA CP Program Handbook

3 hrs

Knowledge Time Limit

2026 NALA CP Program Handbook

2 hrs

Skills Time Limit

2026 NALA CP Program Handbook

$325

Member First-Time Fee

2025 NALA Certification FAQs

5 yrs

Certification Validity

NALA recertification requirements

50 CLE

Renewal Hours Required

NALA recertification

Earn the NALA CP by passing the Knowledge Exam (120 MCQs, 3 hours, year-round) and the Skills Exam (2-hour essay in Feb/Apr/Jul/Oct windows). Knowledge domains include Civil Litigation and U.S. Legal System at 15 points each, ethics at 12, and Debtor/Creditor and Bankruptcy at 6. First-time fees are $325 for members and $375 for non-members, plus testing-center fees.

Sample NALA CP Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NALA CP exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 160+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In a civil lawsuit, which document is filed by the defendant in response to the plaintiff's complaint?
A.Summons
B.Answer
C.Subpoena
D.Writ of execution
Explanation: The answer is the responsive pleading filed by a defendant that addresses each allegation in the plaintiff's complaint. The defendant must admit, deny, or state insufficient knowledge for each allegation. Failing to file a timely answer can result in a default judgment. Exam tip: Know the sequence of pleadings in civil litigation.
2Which discovery tool requires a party to answer written questions under oath?
A.Deposition
B.Request for production
C.Interrogatories
D.Request for admission
Explanation: Interrogatories are written questions served on a party who must provide written answers under oath. Unlike depositions, which involve oral testimony, interrogatories allow time for the responding party to research answers. Under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, each party is generally limited to 25 interrogatories. Exam tip: Distinguish between the various discovery devices and their procedural requirements.
3A motion for summary judgment is appropriate when:
A.The plaintiff wants to amend the complaint
B.There is no genuine dispute of material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law
C.A witness refuses to testify at trial
D.The defendant wants to change the venue
Explanation: Under FRCP Rule 56, summary judgment is granted when the movant shows there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. This motion eliminates the need for trial on issues where the evidence is undisputed. Exam tip: Summary judgment is a pre-trial motion that can resolve all or part of a case.
4What is the standard of proof in most civil cases?
A.Beyond a reasonable doubt
B.Preponderance of the evidence
C.Clear and convincing evidence
D.Probable cause
Explanation: Preponderance of the evidence means that the fact asserted is more likely true than not. It is lower than clear and convincing evidence and the criminal standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Some civil claims use a different standard.
5Which doctrine identifies the proper geographic district or county for a civil action, often based on where events occurred or where a defendant resides?
A.Subject matter jurisdiction
B.Personal jurisdiction
C.Venue
D.Appellate jurisdiction
Explanation: Venue identifies the proper geographic place for litigation, often where substantial events occurred or where a defendant resides. It is distinct from subject-matter jurisdiction, which concerns a court's authority over the type of dispute, and personal jurisdiction, which concerns authority over a party.
6A paralegal discovers that the attorney's client wants the paralegal to notarize a backdated document. What should the paralegal do?
A.Notarize the document since the attorney approved it
B.Refuse and report the request to the supervising attorney
C.Notarize the document but note the actual date separately
D.Ask a colleague to notarize it instead
Explanation: A paralegal should refuse to participate in a false notarization and promptly alert the supervising attorney. NALA Canon 6 requires integrity and a high degree of professional conduct, and applicable notary law governs the certificate and act. Escalation within the firm may be appropriate if the problem is not addressed.
7Which of the following activities constitutes the unauthorized practice of law (UPL) by a paralegal?
A.Drafting a memorandum of law under attorney supervision
B.Advising a client on whether to accept a settlement offer
C.Conducting legal research on case precedents
D.Organizing discovery documents for attorney review
Explanation: Advising a client on whether to accept a settlement offer constitutes legal advice, which is the exclusive domain of licensed attorneys. Paralegals may draft documents, conduct research, and organize files under attorney supervision, but they cannot give legal advice, represent clients in court (with limited exceptions), or set legal fees. Exam tip: UPL questions test whether the activity involves independent legal judgment.
8Under the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which rule addresses a lawyer's duty of confidentiality?
A.Rule 1.1 (Competence)
B.Rule 1.6 (Confidentiality of Information)
C.Rule 1.9 (Duties to Former Clients)
D.Rule 3.3 (Candor Toward the Tribunal)
Explanation: ABA Model Rule 1.6 establishes that a lawyer shall not reveal information relating to the representation of a client unless the client gives informed consent. This duty extends to paralegals who work under attorney supervision. The confidentiality obligation covers all information related to representation, not just attorney-client privileged communications. Exam tip: Rule 1.6 is broader than the attorney-client privilege.
9A paralegal moves from Law Firm A to Law Firm B. Law Firm B represents the opposing party in a matter on which the paralegal worked at Firm A. What is the most appropriate immediate response by Firm B?
A.Immediately withdraw from the case in every jurisdiction
B.Promptly screen the paralegal from the matter and follow applicable notice and confidentiality requirements
C.Allow the paralegal to continue working on the case since paralegals are not subject to conflict rules
D.Fire the paralegal to avoid any conflict
Explanation: The firm should act immediately to screen the paralegal from the matter and protect all confidential information. The governing jurisdiction's rules determine whether notice, consent, or additional measures are required and whether screening prevents firm disqualification. Withdrawal or termination is not automatically required in every jurisdiction.
10Which NALA Canon expressly prohibits a paralegal from engaging in or assisting the unauthorized practice of law?
A.Canon 1
B.Canon 3
C.Canon 5
D.Canon 7
Explanation: NALA Canon 1 prohibits a paralegal from engaging in, encouraging, or contributing to unauthorized practice and from independently establishing attorney-client relationships, setting fees, giving legal advice, or representing a client unless authorized by law. Canon 6 addresses integrity and competency, while Canon 7 addresses client confidences.

About the NALA CP Exam

The NALA Certified Paralegal (CP) exam is the NCCA-accredited national paralegal certification. Candidates must pass the Knowledge Exam (120 multiple-choice questions in 3 hours across ten substantive domains) and then the Skills Exam (2-hour written assignment testing legal writing and critical thinking). The CP credential demonstrates professional competence valued by law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies.

Questions

120 scored questions

Time Limit

3 hours (Knowledge); 2 hours (Skills)

Passing Score

Pass/fail (criterion-referenced)

Exam Fee

$325 (members) / $375 (non-members) first-time (NALA / Prometric)

NALA CP Exam Content Outline

15%

United States Legal System

Sources of law, judicial system, remedies, and administrative law

15%

Civil Litigation

Jurisdiction, FRCP and evidence, and alternative dispute resolution

10%

Contracts

Formation, rights and duties, enforcement, and defenses

10%

Corporate/Commercial Law

Business organizations and commercial rights and responsibilities

7%

Criminal Law and Procedure

Elements of crimes, constitutional protections, procedure, and sentencing

7%

Estate Planning and Probate

Estates, trusts, wills, and probate administration

8%

Real Estate and Property

Property rights, ownership, and transactions

10%

Torts

Negligence, strict liability, intentional torts, and damages

12%

Professional and Ethical Responsibility

ABA Model Rules and unauthorized practice of law

6%

Debtor/Creditor and Bankruptcy

Collection concepts, bankruptcy chapters, stay, and discharge

How to Pass the NALA CP Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Pass/fail (criterion-referenced)
  • Exam length: 120 questions
  • Time limit: 3 hours (Knowledge); 2 hours (Skills)
  • Exam fee: $325 (members) / $375 (non-members) first-time

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NALA CP Study Tips from Top Performers

1Prioritize Civil Litigation (15) and United States Legal System (15), then Ethics (12) — together they are over 40% of Knowledge Exam points
2Do not skip Debtor/Creditor and Bankruptcy (6 points) — it is an official Knowledge domain under the Effective 2024 specs
3Practice Skills Exam essays under a 2-hour clock focusing on issue spotting and rule application, not just black-letter recall
4Study federal rules and general concepts — the CP exam is nationwide and does not test individual state procedure
5Use timed 120-question Knowledge sets to build pace for the 3-hour exam window

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the NALA CP Knowledge Exam?

The Knowledge Exam contains 120 multiple-choice questions (100 scored and 20 pretest) to be completed in 3 hours. Candidates must also pass a separate 2-hour Skills Exam essay after passing the Knowledge Exam.

What is the NALA CP passing score?

NALA uses criterion-referenced pass/fail scoring. The organization does not publish a numeric cut score to candidates; results are reported as Pass or Fail, with domain-level feedback for unsuccessful attempts.

What subjects are tested on the CP Knowledge Exam?

Under the Effective 2024 specifications, the Knowledge Exam covers ten domains: United States Legal System (15), Civil Litigation (15), Contracts (10), Corporate/Commercial Law (10), Criminal Law and Procedure (7), Estate Planning and Probate (7), Real Estate and Property (8), Torts (10), Professional and Ethical Responsibility (12), and Debtor/Creditor and Bankruptcy (6).

What are the eligibility requirements for the CP exam?

NALA offers three main pathways: Category 1 (qualifying paralegal education), Category 2 (bachelor's degree in any field plus one year of paralegal experience or 15 semester hours of substantive legal courses), and Category 3 (high school diploma or equivalent plus five years of paralegal experience and 20 CLE hours completed within the prior two years).

How is the CP different from the CLA?

The CLA (Certified Legal Assistant) was NALA's original designation. It has been rebranded to CP (Certified Paralegal) but represents the same credential and examination program.

Can I take the CP exam online?

The Knowledge Exam may be taken via remote proctoring or at a Prometric test center. The Skills Exam is administered during scheduled windows and is not offered through remote proctoring according to NALA's current FAQs.

How much does the NALA CP exam cost?

First-time standard fees are $325 for NALA members and $375 for non-members and include one Knowledge Exam attempt and one Skills Exam attempt. Subsequent attempts are $150 each, and separate testing-center fees apply. Student and military discounted application rates are also published by NALA.