Business & Office

How to become a Paralegal

From no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there

9–24 months

Typical pay

$52k–$72k

Starting from

No experience

Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from no experience and includes any licence or programme legally required, not just course length.

The route

1. 1

   6–24 months

   Get a paralegal certificate or degree

   ABA-approved programs carry the most weight with firms.

2. 2

   during program

   Learn research and drafting

   Westlaw or Lexis, plus discovery and filing procedure.

3. 3

   3–6 months

   Intern or clerk

   Firms hire the people who already know their filing system.

4. 4

   Consider NALA certification

   The CP credential, optional but a differentiator in a crowded market.

   ◆ Certified Paralegal (NALA)

5. ✓

   Destination

   Paralegal

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