200+ Free PCCE Paralegal Practice Questions
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Key Facts: PCCE Paralegal Exam
125
Total Questions (110 scored)
NFPA
2.5 hrs
Time Limit
NFPA
550
Minimum Passing Score
NFPA (scaled)
65-73%
First-Time Pass Rate
NFPA data
CRP
Credential Earned
NFPA
200+
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The NFPA PCCE is a 125-question exam (110 scored, 15 pretest) lasting 2.5 hours. The passing score is 550 on a scaled system. The exam has two domains: Paralegal Practice (52%) covering ethics, research, writing, and civil litigation; and Substantive Areas of Law (48%) covering contracts, torts, criminal, family, business orgs, estates/wills/trusts, and real estate. The CRP (CORE Registered Paralegal) credential requires recertification every 2 years with 8 CLE hours including 1 hour ethics and 1 hour DEI.
About the PCCE Paralegal Exam
The NFPA Paralegal CORE Competency Exam (PCCE) is an entry-level certification for paralegals who have recently graduated from paralegal programs or are within their first two years of practice. The exam validates core competencies in paralegal practice including ethics, legal research, legal writing, critical analysis, and substantive areas of law including contracts, torts, criminal law, family law, business organizations, estates/wills/trusts, and real estate.
Questions
125 scored questions
Time Limit
2 hours 30 minutes
Passing Score
550 (scaled)
Exam Fee
$300 (members) / $325 (non-members) (National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA))
PCCE Paralegal Exam Content Outline
Paralegal Practice
Legal ethics including attorney-client privilege, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and UPL; legal research (primary/secondary sources, Shepard's); legal writing (pleadings, motions, briefs, memoranda); critical analysis and legal citation; civil litigation procedures; office administration and technology
Substantive Areas of Law
Contracts (formation, consideration, breach, remedies); Torts (negligence, intentional torts, strict liability); Criminal Law (elements, defenses, procedure); Family Law (divorce, custody, support); Business Organizations (corporations, partnerships, LLCs); Estates, Wills & Trusts (probate, intestacy); Real Estate (property ownership, deeds, closings)
How to Pass the PCCE Paralegal Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 550 (scaled)
- Exam length: 125 questions
- Time limit: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Exam fee: $300 (members) / $325 (non-members)
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
PCCE Paralegal Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NFPA PCCE exam?
The Paralegal CORE Competency Exam (PCCE) is a national certification exam developed by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA). It assesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities of early-career and entry-level paralegals. Passing the PCCE earns you the CRP (CORE Registered Paralegal) credential, which demonstrates to employers that you possess the core competencies required for paralegal work.
What are the eligibility requirements for the PCCE?
You may take the PCCE if you meet one of these pathways: (1) Bachelor's degree in paralegal studies; (2) Bachelor's degree + paralegal certificate; (3) Bachelor's degree + 6 months experience + 1 hour ethics CLE; (4) Associate's degree in paralegal studies; (5) Associate's degree + paralegal certificate; (6) Associate's degree + 1 year experience + 6 hours CLE; (7) Paralegal certificate + 1 year experience + 6 hours CLE; (8) Military paralegal with ethics CLE; or (9) High school/GED + 5 years experience + 12 hours CLE.
How is the PCCE exam structured?
The PCCE consists of 125 multiple-choice questions administered over 2.5 hours. Of these, 110 questions are scored and 15 are unscored pretest items used for future exam development. The exam is divided into two domains: Paralegal Practice (52%) and Substantive Areas of Law (48%). Questions test federal law and general legal principles rather than state-specific laws.
What is a passing score on the PCCE?
The PCCE uses a scaled scoring system where 550 is the minimum passing score. Raw scores are converted to scaled scores to ensure fairness across different exam forms. You receive preliminary results immediately upon completion, with official scores typically released monthly. The pass rate ranges from 65-73% for first-time test-takers.
What topics are covered on the PCCE?
Domain 1: Paralegal Practice (52%) covers ethics (attorney-client privilege, confidentiality, conflicts, UPL), legal research (primary/secondary sources, databases), legal writing (pleadings, motions, briefs, memos), critical analysis, legal citation (Bluebook), civil litigation procedures, office administration, and technology. Domain 2: Substantive Areas of Law (48%) covers contracts, torts, criminal law, family law, business organizations, estates/wills/trusts, and real estate.
How do I maintain my CRP credential?
CRP credential holders must recertify every two years by completing 8 hours of continuing legal education (CLE), including at least 1 hour in ethics and 1 hour in diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI). CLE hours must be from NFPA-approved providers such as NFPA itself, NFPA-member associations, bar associations, courts, or ABA/AAfPE-approved paralegal programs.
How much does the PCCE cost?
The PCCE exam fee is $300 for NFPA members and $325 for non-members, plus a $25 application processing fee. Optional study materials include the PCCE Study Manual ($75) and online review courses through the Advanced Paralegal Institute ($395). Military personnel may be eligible for discounted registration rates.