Paralegals function in a supportive capacity, performing tasks that help attorneys better serve their clients. Whether working in a private law firm or in government, paralegals may help lawyers improve their practice. 

There’s an increasing demand for paralegals. As of 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates that employment of paralegals and legal assistants will increase 4% through 2032, which is much faster than the national average.

There’s no single pathway to becoming a paralegal. Here, we’ll break down different paralegal requirements that may help you prepare for a paralegal career:

Step 1. Fulfill Paralegal Education Requirements
Step 2. Determine a Specialty
Step 3. Complete a Paralegal Certification (Recommended)
Step 4. Meet State-Level Paralegal Requirements (Optional)
Step 5. Gain Paralegal Experience and Find a Job

Below, you’ll find some common steps you may take to become a paralegal. Familiarity with the prerequisites for paralegal roles can help you better prepare for a career in the field

Paralegals are not licensed at the national level. With the exception of a few states, paralegals are not regulated at the state level either. While it is not required in every state, several professional organizations do provide paralegal certification.

In the absence of state and federal regulations, employers establish the hiring standards for paralegals. At the most basic level, you typically must have some formal education to become a paralegal. You may consider earning one of the following:

If you want to make a career change or have unique scheduling needs, you may consider enrolling in an online Master of Legal Studies program, which grants you the flexibility to pursue a degree while working.

As you map out your graduate degree pathway, you may choose to explore programs approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). The Directory of ABA Approved Paralegal Education Programs can help you evaluate options and consider common paralegal requirements.

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There are a number of specializations to choose from when considering your path to becoming a paralegal. If you’re interested in pursuing a master’s degree, you may select one of the numerous legal studies concentrations offered by programs across the country, allowing you to specialize in a specific area of law. Different concentrations can lead to different careers. For instance:

If you’re not interested in a career in government, you may pursue jobs in real estate, hospitals, social work, human resources or other fields in the private sector. Of course, paralegals can be found working at law firms or corporations as well.

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Beyond your education, the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) recommends that you complete a certifying examination to receive paralegal certification. Paralegal certifications are available through a number of professional organizations. Your options for paralegal certifications include, but are not limited to:

While certification is not required to be a paralegal, you may benefit by pursuing it. As noted by the ABA, certification may enhance your employment prospects. That’s because, for some employers, certification demonstrates your competency in and commitment to your chosen field.

Aside from certification, NALA suggests professional standards for paralegals. Some employers use NALA’s set of standards as a rubric in assessing a paralegal’s preparedness. These qualifications are not a requisite and are simply intended to demonstrate—both to the attorney and the public—that you have a formal legal education and have received broad exposure to the issues you may encounter as a paralegal.

Each certification has its own criteria for continuing education and renewal. Review the requirements and choose a certification that best aligns with your goals.

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Those who want to become a paralegal may also consider state-level certifications, most of which are voluntary and issued by local paralegal associations. 

Certain states, including California, Florida, Texas and Utah, have state-specific certification requisites. Because of that, it’s critical to confirm paralegal requirements for the state where you intend to work.

Of course, you’ll want to double-check the latest information for the state where you want to practice. To find a complete list of paralegal certifications by state, check our guide on paralegal certifications.

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Some accredited degree programs help students find an internship. This internship experience allows students to apply theoretical knowledge to a practical setting, demonstrating their understanding of legal precepts and their ability to function as a real-world paralegal. Internships may also provide students with opportunities to network and potentially earn full-time employment post-graduation.

Upon graduating, paralegals may have a myriad of job options available to them, including working for banks, insurance companies, trade organizations, private law firms or in the legal departments of large corporations. Within the public sector, paralegals may choose to work for state and federal government agencies, public defenders’ offices, district attorneys’ offices and consumer organizations.

Experienced paralegals might want to continue their education or pursue new certifications with the goal of vying for more advanced positions or being entrusted with more job responsibilities.

Learn more about how to pursue a career in law and become a paralegal with the guide: What Can You Do With a Master’s in Legal Studies?

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So, what does a paralegal do? The work paralegals do can be complex and quite extensive, requiring a thorough understanding of law. Attorneys rely on their paralegals, and the success of a case is most often a team effort between the attorney and their support staff.

Paralegal responsibilities may include:

Although paralegals are legal professionals, there are some tasks that are beyond the scope of their duties and are reserved for the attorneys who oversee their work. Generally, paralegals are prohibited from “practicing law.” In other words, they are not permitted to perform tasks that require a legal license. Providing legal advice, deciding which cases are accepted or denied and representing clients at a hearing or trial are all beyond a paralegal’s purview.

Paralegals use a combination of hard and soft skills to get their work done. Continually developing such skills may prove beneficial to your career. Whether you’re pursuing a master’s degree in legal studies or a certification, be sure to familiarize yourself with in-demand paralegal skills. Here are some common skills paralegals use:

Eager to sharpen your skills? You can browse our collection of online resources for paralegals to explore certification options, catch up on the latest legal trends and more.

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Still wondering what it takes to become a paralegal? Check out the answers to some common questions.

Last updated September 2023.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.