An Educator's Guide to Preparing for the Accredited Legal Professional (ALP) Exam

NALS is excited to announce that our Accredited Legal Professional (ALP)Exam has been recognized by LAPSEN as the industry Recognized Credential (IRC) for the Legal Services CTE pathway. The ALP has met LAPSEN's own stringent evaluation requirements which include those outlined in 20 U.S. Code § 2302 as well as Perkins legislative requirements. LAPSEN & NALS have partnered together to bridge education & industry, so your students are set up for success from day one. 

The Accredited Legal Professional (ALP) is designed to evaluate the foundational knowledge necessary to succeed in an entry-level legal support position. The certification is awarded after passing the examination. Attaining this goal demonstrates a commitment and aptitude for succeeding in the ever-changing legal environment.

The ALP exam:

• demonstrates ability to perform business communication tasks;
• gauges ability to maintain office records and calendars;
• measures understanding of office equipment, computer terminology, and related procedures;
• denotes aptitude for understanding legal terminology, legal complexities, and supporting documents;
• appraises knowledge of law office protocol as prescribed by ethical codes.

Learn more about study resources, including free lesson plans produced with LAPSEN, at: https://www.nals.org/page/ALPSchoolExamResources.

ALP Examination Eligibility

To sit for the exam, candidates must meet one of the following:

• Completion of an accredited business/legal course (student must have completed 80% by exam date); or
• One year of general office experience. 

Membership in NALS is not a requirement.

The Exam Content

• PART 1: Communications
• PART 2: The Law Firm: Legal Procedures and Knowledge
• PART 3: Legal Ethics and Authority

Please review the ALP Program Handbook for a detailed list of exam content. 

Proctoring Options: 

NALS partners with Prolydian, which supports a secure and smooth exam experience for candidates and offers both live and remote proctoring. Live proctoring is available exclusively to our ALP Partners. The $350 annual Partner fee supports NALS' ongoing investments in our exams and prep materials. Remote proctoring remains available for $45/student. Additional details, such as system requirements, are available here. 

Helpful Links & Videos