| Specialty Certificate You have your PP or PLS certification, but do you want more? The Specialty Certificate Program is for those who want to go above and beyond. A Specialty Certificate is received after obtaining 50 CLE credit hours in one of the specialty tracks designated by NALS – Litigation/Civil Law, Corporate Law, or Estate Planning/Family Law. This program will set you apart from the competition and make your area of expertise known. |
A Certified PP or PLS may obtain a specialty certificate in one of the educational tracks offered by NALS:
- Litigation/Civil Law
- Corporate Law
- Estate Planning/Family Law
Click here to view the subcategories under each specialty track.
In order to obtain multiple specialty certificates, you must fill out an application form for each specialty, and obtain the 50 CLE hours required in that specific track.
Specialty Certificate Eligibility
Any person who has a current PP or PLS certification, who earns a minimum of 50 hours of CLE in one of the designated tracks within their 5 year validity period may apply.
Specialty Certificate Fees
- Members $150
- Non-Members $200
How Do I Obtain My Specialty Certificate?
You need to have a total of 50 hours of CLE credits in one of the specialty tracks designated by NALS, Litigation/Civil Law, Estate Planning/Family Law, or Corporate Law in order to renew. You can follow these three easy steps:
- Earn Specialty Points: You can participate in educational activities to earn points toward your specialty certificate. Be sure to obtain certificates of completion or other documentation confirming participation in educational activities. You’ll need to attach additional information to documentation as needed. These educational activities consist of the following:
Attendance at Seminars/Workshops, NALS Online Educational Chats, and NALS CLE Online. This covers attendance at conferences, seminars, workshops, chapter educational programs, webinars, and participation in NALS Online Educational Chats on topics related to the specialty area in which you are receiving your certificate. Seminars and NALS Online Chats must be a minimum length of 30 minutes. Copies of certificates of attendance or other documentation confirming participation in the program are to be submitted with the completed application packet. Applicants should retain originals, as the NALS Resource Center discards submitted documents upon approval of the application. Included in this module is credit for watching videotapes or listening to audiotapes on relevant topics. One hour equals one point of education credit. Except for topics related to the specialty, credit is not available for personal development and/or motivational programs. To request points for watching a videotape or listening to an audiotape, complete Section B of the Specialty Certificate Application.
Seminars/Workshops Taught. This covers teaching at conferences, seminars, workshops, webinars, chapter educational programs, etc. on topics related to the specialty area in which you are receiving your certificate. Seminars must be a minimum length of 30 minutes. One teaching hour equals four points, which includes credit for preparation and presentation time. Except for topics relating to the specialty area in which you are receiving your certificate, credit is not available for personal development and/or motivational programs. To request points for teaching educational programs complete Section C. A copy of the seminar brochure verifying the applicant as a speaker or other documentation confirming applicant’s participation in the program is to be submitted with the completed application packet. Applicants should retain originals, as the NALS Resource Center discards submitted documents upon approval of the application.
Authoring Articles and Publications. Section D of the Specialty Certificate Application should be completed and submitted, along with documentation verifying participation in authoring of articles or publications. This covers authoring articles regarding topics pertaining to your specialty track. Five points are awarded for substantive articles.
Successful Completion of Postsecondary Education Courses. This module covers successful completion (Grade C or better) of relevant courses (courses related to the 4 tracks designated by NALS: Litigation/Civil Law, Estate Planning/Family Law, or Corporate Law) at an accredited institution of higher education. Higher education institutions are generally organized into semesters (14 to 16 weeks in length providing “semester hours” or 10 to 12 weeks in length providing “quarter hours”). Points are calculated on the basis of 15 points per semester hour and 10 points per quarter hour. Copies of transcripts or grade reports and official course descriptions are to be submitted with the completed renewal packet. Applicants should retain originals, as the NALS Resource Center discards submitted documents upon approval of the application.
. - Get Organized:Maintain a file with all of your CLE certificates or other documentation. A chart including the date of activity, the program sponsor, the hours attended, the points earned, and the session topic and track may be utilized to keep track of credits. (See renewal form for an example.) Since the Resource Center does not send reminders, be sure to calendar the date when your five-year validity period is due to expire.
. - Documentation to Send to NALS: At any time prior to the expiration of your current validity period, submit the following to the Resource Center:
- Specialty Certificate Application
- Copies of original certificates or documentation pertaining to education credits
- A check made payable to NALS in the amount of $150 for members/$200 for non-members
Return to:
NALS Resource Center
Attn: Specialty Certificate
8159 East 41st St
Tulsa, OK 74145
How Long Will My Specialty Certificate be Valid?
Specialty Certificates will be valid for a total of 5 years. At the end of the 5-year validity period, the certificates must be renewed.
Abbreviations
The following are examples of how Specialty Certificates may be abbreviated.
PP-SC Litigation/Civil Law
PLS-SC Corporate Law
PP, PLS-SC Estate Planning/Family Law
Who can I contact if I still have questions?
The Certification and Education Manager at the NALS Resource Center by telephone at (918) 582-5188, e-mail at cert-edu@nals.org, or fax at (918) 582-5907.