PLS...the advanced certification for legal professionals

How do your skills compare with the hallmarks of a professional? The PLS designation is an attainable goal for lawyer’s assistants who want to be identified as exceptional. The certification is received after passing a one-day, four-part examination.

Attaining this goal demonstrates dedication to professionalism and acceptance of the challenge to be exceptional. Personal motivation is necessary to attain such a goal.

The purpose of the examination is to certify a lawyer’s assistant as a person who possesses:

• A mastery of office skills and people skills.
• The ability to interact on a professional level with attorneys, clients, and other support staff.
• The discipline to assume responsibility and exercise initiative and judgment.
• A working knowledge of procedural law, the law library, and how to prepare legal documents.

PLS Examination Eligibility

Any person who has had three years of experience in the legal field may take the examination. Membership in NALS is not required. A partial waiver of the three-year legal experience requirement may be granted for postsecondary degrees, successful completion of the ALS examination, or other certifications. The maximum waiver is one year.

The Examination Covers

Part 1—Written Communications
Part 2—Office Procedures and Technology
Part 3—Ethics and Judgment
Part 4—Legal Knowledge and Skills

PLS Resource Manual

The PLS Resource Manual is designed to help you achieve the goal of becoming a Certified PLS. It contains information about the program, includes an application to take the examination, an overview of the topics covered by each part, and the reference list for additional study guides. The manual can be used for studying alone, with a group, or by an instructor preparing lesson plans.

NALS Advanced Legal Training Course

Many states and chapters sponsor the NALS Legal Training Course. This course emulates a classroom study style in preparing for the examination. Contact your state or chapter for information on a course near you or visit our web page at www.nals.org/calendar.htm for future course dates.

The PLS Resource Manual, PLS mock exam and exam reference books are available for purchase through the NALS Book Store at https://fpsecure.tulsaconnect.com/nals/bookstore.htm

Examination Guidelines

All four parts of the examination must be taken on the first attempt. If you do not pass the entire examination on the first attempt, but do pass one or more parts, you may retake the part or parts you failed. All failed parts must be retaken at the same time.
Those passing the examination will receive a certificate that is valid for five years. Recertification is required every five years and may be achieved through the accumulation of 75 hours of continuing legal education hours and activities.

Examination Dates

March: First Saturday
July: In conjunction with region conferences in July only
September: Last Saturday

Application Deadlines

March: Postmarked by January 1
July: Postmarked by June 15
September: Postmarked by August 1

Applications postmarked after the deadline date but no later than ten days after the deadline must be accompanied by a $35 late fee.

Examination Fees

Full Examination (member) $150
Retake fee per part (member) $40
Full Examination (nonmember) $200
Retake fee per part (nonmember) $50
Late Fee $35

Transfer/Refund Policy

If you are unable to sit for the examination at your chosen time, you may transfer to another examination date by paying a $25 transfer fee and by making the request no later than two weeks prior to the test date.

If you are unable to sit for the examination at any time following submission of your application, the entire fee, less a 25 percent processing fee, may be refunded if requested 30 days or more before the scheduled examination date. If you are unable to sit for the examination after transferring to another examination date, no refund will be given,