Gulf Coast Legal Professionals

Recertification literally is the act of having one’s certification renewed. NALS considers recertification to be continuing one’s education in the legal field by obtaining continuing legal education credit hours. Recertification is required every five years. (The validity period for certification is indicated on the certificate issued when examinee passes an exam or on the most recent recertification certificate. The recertification renewal date may also be found in the Professional Development section of your online member profile.) There are three categories of recertification:

1. Mandatory Recertification: The first category, mandatory recertification, applies to all ALPs, PLSs* and PPs who are currently employed or seeking employment. (*PLS recertification is required for those earning certification as of March 1994 or thereafter.)

1. Voluntary Recertification: The second category, voluntary recertification, is recommended and encouraged for those achieving PLS certification prior to March 1994. PLSs who voluntarily recertify must meet the same requirements and established criteria as for mandatory recertification. The first time an applicant recertifies under voluntary recertification, the recertification period will end five years from the date of recertification by NALS. After the first recertification, the recertification period runs five years from the end of the prior recertification period.

1. Emeritus: The third category is Emeritus. Emeritus status is available to the following: (1) certified PLSs or PPs who are 55 years of age or older who are retired from employment in the legal services field; and (2) certified PLSs or PPs who are permanently disabled. A letter requesting Certified PLS or PP Emeritus status may be submitted to NALS. If emeritus status is being requested because of a permanent disability, proof of disability should also be submitted. Upon notification of approval of emeritus status, the Certified PLS or PP will not be required to accumulate points to recertify. If a Certified PLS or PP returns to work in the legal field, the emeritus status is invalidated. PLSs or PPs who previously fell under mandatory recertification will have five years within which to recertify from the date of reemployment.

Why do I need to become recertified?

Recertification is required because of the ever-changing profession to which we belong. Laws, rules, and regulations are continuously changing, and by requiring recertification, NALS ensures that Certified professionals remain up-to-date with current legal practices.

What are the requirements to become recertified?

• ALP: A total of 50 hours of CLE credits are required in order to recertify. 

• PLS: A total of 75 hours of CLE credits are required in order to recertify

• PP: A total of 75 hours of CLE credits are required in order to recertify—a minimum of 50 hours on substantive areas, a minimum of 5 hours on ethics, and a maximum of 20 hours on other areas. 

You can follow these three easy steps to recertify:

• Earn Recertification Points: You can participate in educational activities to earn points toward recertification. See Recertification Modules (bottom of page) for details about which educational activities earn points. Appropriate educational topics include those that reflect the substantive nature of a legal professionals' work, enhance knowledge of the profession, update knowledge of the law, or relate to the examination; including, but not limited to, procedural and communications skills, legal research and citations, law office procedures, technology, ethics and judgment, grammar, and other law-related topics. 

• Get Organized: Maintain a file with all of your CLE certificates and other documentation OR track your CLE credit hours online through NALS New Certification Journal Tool.

• Documentation to Send to NALS: At any time prior to the expiration of your current validity period, submit the following to the Resource Center:

1. Recertification Application 

1. Recertification Affidavit 

1. Copy of your Certification Journal Transcript OR original certificates/documentation pertaining to education credits

1. Payment ($75 for PLS/PP, $50 for ALP)

The Resource Center will accept applications prior to the expiration of the fifth year following certification. Acceptance of early recertification submissions will not affect the recertification period. Education credits may not be accrued during the current validity period for the next period. Credits earned during that period may not be included in the next recertification application.