For more information on PACE, click here to view the January 2006 edition of the PACE Ambassador Newsletter.

The Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) is offered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. (NFPA) to test the competency level of experienced paralegals.

Exam for Experienced Paralegals—PACE is offered to paralegals who have a minimum of two years' experience and meet specific educational requirements.  PACE is designed for professional paralegals who want to pioneer the expansion of paralegal roles for the future of the profession, not to restrict entry into the profession.

Fair and Independent—PACE has been developed by a professional testing firm, assisted by an independent task force including paralegals, lawyers, paralegal educators and content specialists from the general public who are legal advocates.  Ongoing administration will be handled by Professional Examination Service (PES).

Voluntary—Paralegals will have the option to sit for the exam at more than 200 Sylvan Technology Centers.  As activities and proposals for regulation of the profession increase, all paralegals will be encouraged to take the exam.

Credential Maintenance—To maintain the PACE RP credential, paralegals are required to obtain 12 hours of continuing legal education, including at least one hour in ethics, every two years.

 (This information is from the NFPA Website:  www.paralegals.org.  More information is also available at NFPA’s website.)

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PACE ON-LINE STUDY COURSE

By Cindy Welch, RP

PACE Assistant Coordinator – Education

 Have you ever taken an online class?   Distance learning is becoming more and more popular as it allows us to study at any time and almost any place.  A PACE study review class is offered through the American Institute for Paralegal Studies (www.aips.com) .   The seven-week course is taught by Loretta Nesbit, a DAPA Past President, who now lives near Austin.  The PACE Study Manual is used as the main text and other sources of information are recommended.  The cost of the course is $395 (effective March 1, 2006) and a new class begins at least once a month.

             Having recently completed an audit of the class, I must admit that I was very impressed.  I had never taken a class online, but I greatly appreciated the flexibility that this offered.   You are kept on a weekly “track” in that homework assignments must be submitted by midnight every Sunday.  The homework consists of additional practice questions and the following week, answers and a discussion of each question are available to the student.  Towards the end of the term, hints for successful test taking are offered, and the student may take the PACE 100-question practice exam.  (This is a $50 value should you purchase it alone.)

            The class also offers a “study hall” where the students can discuss questions and concerns.  If Loretta saw that the group as a whole was having difficulty with a problem, she was quick to offer some hints.

               For more information go to the NFPA’ website at www.paralegals.org  and click on the link to the  AIPS website on the PACE page, and check out this opportunity. 

 

 

 

 

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