PARALEGAL ADVANCED COMPETENCY EXAM (PACE)
PARALEGAL ADVANCED COMPETENCY EXAM (PACE). Victoria M. Newman, RP PACE Ambassador, San Francisco Paralegal Association. WHAT IS PACE?. Developed by NFPA in 1996 Established to set a standard within the paralegal profession Advanced exam Not entry level
PARALEGAL ADVANCED COMPETENCY EXAM (PACE)
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Presentation Transcript
PARALEGAL ADVANCED COMPETENCY EXAM (PACE) Victoria M. Newman, RP PACE Ambassador, San Francisco Paralegal Association
WHAT IS PACE? • Developed by NFPA in 1996 • Established to set a standard within the paralegal profession • Advanced exam • Not entry level • Based on education and work experience
WHY TAKE PACE? • Professional recognition • Personal satisfaction • Improve work product • Improve time management skills • More challenging work assignments • Billable hours not written off • Billable hours approved by court
WHO SHOULD TAKE PACE? • Delegates who voted for it in 1996 • Seeking job satisfaction • Validate paralegal skills • Validate knowledge in area of practice • Not for everyone • Meet education and work criteria
HOW TO STUDY FOR PACE • Study Groups • On-line course • PACE Study Manual • Study Buddies • By yourself
COSTS OF PACE • Application fee: $ 25 • Exam fee: $225 • PACE Study Manual: $ 75 plus shipping/handling • On-line practice exam: $ 50 • On-line study course: $395 • Designation renewal fee: $ 25
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO TAKE PACE? • Education and work experience: • An associates degree in paralegal studies obtained from an institutionally accredited and/or ABA approved paralegal education program; and six (6) years substantive paralegal experience; OR • A bachelor's degree in any course of study obtained from an institutionally accredited school and three (3) years of substantive paralegal experience; OR
ELIGIBILITY Cont. • -A bachelor's degree and completion of a paralegal program with an institutionally accredited school, said paralegal program may be embodied in a bachelor's degree; and two (2) years substantive paralegal experience; OR • --Four (4) years substantive paralegal experience on or before December 31, 2000
WHAT IS THE EXAM? • 200 multiple choice questions • Computer generated • Four hour time frame • Ethics given throughout the exam • Given at Prometric Testing Center • Take when you are ready
WHAT IS ON PACE? • Administration of Client Matters • Development of Client Matters • Legal and Factual Writing • Legal and Factual Research • Office Administration • Ethics
WHAT ELSE? • Exam was updated in 2008 to include more practice areas • PACE Study Manual now in fifth edition • Last pass rate (April 1, 2009) was 86%
CONCLUSION • Any questions? • Interest in starting study group? • Contact me: vmnewman@sbcglobal.net