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Free NALA CP Exam Prep

NALA Certified Paralegal (CP) Examination

Pass your NALA CP exam without spending hundreds on expensive prep courses. Free study guides, practice questions, flashcards, and related exam resources.

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Your Study Path

NALA Paralegal Certifications License: Complete Roadmap

Follow this path to maximize your chances of passing on the first try

1

Phase 1: Civil Litigation, US Legal System & EthicsYou are here

Master the two 15-point Knowledge domains plus the 12-point ethics domain that drive early score gains.

35
hours
2

Phase 2: Contracts, Corporate/Commercial & Torts

Build fluency across the three 10-point substantive domains with entity and liability comparisons.

25
hours
3

Phase 3: Criminal, Estate, Real Estate & Bankruptcy

Cover the remaining Knowledge domains, including Debtor/Creditor and Bankruptcy (6 points).

25
hours
4

Phase 4: Skills Exam Writing Drills & Timed Practice

Practice IRAC essays for composition, issue spotting, and analysis under the 2-hour Skills clock.

20
hours
Estimated total study time
105 hours
That's about 11 weeks at 10 hours/week

Can You Take the NALA CP Exam?

Check if you meet the basic eligibility requirements

Age
Education
Category 1: qualifying paralegal program (ABA-approved, associate/bachelor's in paralegal studies, post-baccalaureate certificate, or ≥60 semester hours including ≥15 substantive legal hours). Category 2: bachelor's in any field plus experience or coursework.
Experience
Category 2: one year of paralegal experience (or 15 semester hours of substantive paralegal courses). Category 3: five years of paralegal experience plus 20 CLE hours in the prior two years.
Additional Requirements
  • Must submit application, fees, and supporting documentation and receive Authorization to Test
  • Must pass Knowledge Exam before Skills Exam
  • Renewal requires 50 CLE hours within each 5-year certification period
  • Up to three attempts per exam within 365 days of authorization; 90-day wait between attempts; subsequent attempts $150 each

NALA CP Quick Facts

Time to Get Licensed

8-12 weeks for most candidates

From start to license in hand

Exam Provider

Prometric

Remote Testing Available
Schedule Your Exam

Retake Policy

Candidates may attempt each exam up to three times within 365 days of authorization and must wait 90 days between attempts. Subsequent attempts cost $150 each. After three unsuccessful attempts or expiration of the eligibility period, a new application and fees are required.

Total Cost Breakdown

Exam Fee$325 (NALA members) / $375 (non-members) first-time; student and military discounts available
Application FeeIncluded in first-time exam fee
Total Estimated Cost$325-$675+ depending on membership, testing-center fees, and retakes
Why Choose Us

Free NALA CP Prep That Actually Works

110+ Practice Questions

CP-style questions mapped across Knowledge Exam domains including bankruptcy and ethics.

AI-Powered Learning

Targeted guidance for civil litigation, ethics, contracts, and Skills Exam analysis.

2026 Updated

Aligned to NALA's Effective 2024 exam specifications and current handbook logistics.

Free Access

Start CP exam prep free before investing in premium review courses.

Compare:
Kaplan $300+Achievable $200+OpenExamPrep $0

What You'll Study

16 chapters covering everything you need to pass

NALA CP Exam Details

NALA Certified Paralegal (CP) Examination

Administered by National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)

Official Source
Pass/fail criterion-referenced scoring; NALA does not publish a numeric cut score to candidates
Passing Score
Knowledge
Questions
Knowledge
Hours
$325 NALA members / $375 non-members (first-time; includes one Knowledge and one Skills attempt); testing-center fees extra
Exam Fee
Study time: 80-120 hours
Prerequisites: Must meet one of NALA's eligibility categories: qualifying paralegal education, bachelor's degree plus experience or coursework, or high school diploma plus five years of paralegal experience and recent CLE.
Valid for: 5 years (must complete 50 CLE hours to renew)

Exam Content Breakdown

Based on the official National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) content outline

United States Legal System15%

Sources of law, judicial system, remedies, and administrative law (Knowledge Exam Domain 1).

Civil Litigation15%

Jurisdiction, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence, and alternative dispute resolution (Domain 2).

Contracts10%

Formation, rights and duties, enforcement, and defenses (Domain 3).

Corporate/Commercial Law10%

Business organizations and commercial rights and responsibilities (Domain 4).

Criminal Law and Procedure7%

Elements of crimes, constitutional protections, procedure, and sentencing (Domain 5).

Estate Planning and Probate7%

Estates, trusts, wills, and probate administration (Domain 6).

Real Estate and Property8%

Property rights, ownership, and real estate transactions (Domain 7).

Torts10%

Negligence, strict liability, intentional torts, and related doctrines (Domain 8).

Professional and Ethical Responsibility12%

ABA Model Rules and unauthorized practice of law (Domain 9).

Debtor/Creditor and Bankruptcy6%

Debtor-creditor relationships, bankruptcy chapters, stay, and discharge (Domain 10).

Skills Exam — Legal Writing & Critical ThinkingSkills Exam (30 points)

Written assignment graded on composition, mechanics, fact identification, issue spotting, analysis, and conclusions.

What's Included

16 Chapters

Complete exam coverage

Practice Quizzes

With detailed explanations

Free to Start

No credit card required

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What's Next After the NALA CP?

After passing the NALA CP, you can pursue these career paths

ACP (Advanced Certified Paralegal)

Pursue NALA specialty certifications after CP in areas such as discovery, trial practice, or contracts administration.

Coming Soon

PACE (Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam)

Consider NFPA's advanced credential if your employer or specialty market recognizes PACE alongside CP.

Coming Soon

CLA (Certified Legal Assistant)

CLA is NALA's legacy designation for the same Certified Paralegal credential and exam path.

Coming Soon

NALA CP Exam FAQ

Official National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Resources

Verify information with these official sources

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