PACE

PACE

(Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam)

What is PACE?

PACE was developed by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) to create a professional level of expertise by which paralegals throughout the nation can be evaluated. NFPA retained Professional Education Systems (PES), a respected testing company, to assist attorneys, paralegals, and paralegal educators in developing the exam, which covers five domains of paralegal tasks. To ensure that examination results are valid, the examination is administered independently by PES. It is a four-hour exam which can be taken in your own time frame at any one of 950 Prometric/Sylvan Learning Centers.

To take PACE, paralegals must have the following combination of education and practical experience.

An associate’s degree in paralegal studies obtained from an institutionally accredited and/or American Bar Association approved program and six (6) years substantive paralegal experience OR
A bachelor’s degree in any area obtained from an institutionally accredited school and three (3) years substantive paralegal experience OR
A bachelor’s degree and completion of a paralegal program with an institutionally accredited school (the paralegal program may be included in the bachelor’s degree) and two (2) years substantive paralegal experience OR
Four (4) years substantive paralegal experience completed on or before December 31, 2000.

Paralegals who have successfully completed PACE are entitled to use the designation “RP”, showing they are a PACE Registered Paralegal.

In order to maintain the RP credential, the PACE Registered Paralegal must take a minimum of twelve hours of continuing education in a legal or specialty field every two years, with at least one hour of the twelve in legal ethics.

Ways to Prepare for PACE

PACE Study Manual*
PACE Review Course - The PACE review course is an online class offered by the American
Institute for Paralegal Studies (AIPS) which runs for seven weeks.
The class includes discussion questions, e-lectures, assignments and
readings in the PACE study manual each week covering one unit a week
for a total of 7 units. An instructors posts the questions and leads
the discussion and is available each day of the course. Average
number of hours spent is about 2-3 hours per week. A mock test of
PACE exam is given during the seventh week on the computer. Tuition
cost for this 7 week course is $395.00 plus $65.00 for PACE Study
Manual which can be purchased through NFPA. For more information and
registration form, please visit the PACE page on NFPA website at
www.paralegals.org.
PACE Study Groups (contact PACE Ambassador)
PACE Overview Video*
PACE on-line practice exam*
On-line Study Courses
Study Alternate Reference Sources
Study from Paralegal textbooks from paralegal programs
Study from class notes from paralegal program

*For more information and costs, visit NFPA’s website.

For further information about PACE (application, fee, study materials, CLE requirements and renewals) visit the NFPA website - click here. You may also contact PAP’s PACE Ambassador, Barbara I. Nield, RP by email (bnield@schnader.com) or by phone (215-751-2101).

NEW PACE STUDY MANUAL
The Fifth Edition of the PACE Study Manual is now available. Cost is $75. Orders can still be made through the PACE link on NFPA’s website, www.paralegals.org, or through Barbara Nield, RP, PACE Ambassador.

ONLINE PACE REVIEW COURSE
The PACE Review Course is an on-line class offered by American Institute for Paralegal Studies (AIPS) which runs for seven weeks. The class includes discussion questions, e-lectures, assignments and readings in the PACE study manual each week covering one unit a week for a total of 7 units. An instructor posts the questions and leads the discussion and is available each day of the course. Average number of hours spent is about 2-3 hours per week. A mock test of PACE exam is given during the seventh week on the computer. Tuition cost for this 7 week course is $395.00 plus $65 for PACE Study Manual which can be purchased through NFPA.

Course Schedule for 2008:
• January 21, 2008
• March 10, 2008
• April 21, 2008
• June 9, 2008
• July 21, 2008
• September 15, 2008
• October 20, 2008
For more information and registration form, please visit the PACE page on NFPA website at www.paralegals.org

PACE RENEWALS
In order for RPs to maintain their PACE Registered Paralegal credential, they are required to complete 12 hours of CLE, including one hour of ethics, every two years. Recertification date is date the exam was taken. Registration statement must be filed with NFPA. See NFPA website for more information and forms.

PACE AMBASSADOR’S CONFERENCE 2008

The Georgia Association of Paralegals will host the 2008 PACE Ambassador’s Conference. The conference is scheduled for May 17-18, 2008.

PAP Members who are RPs:

Cynthia Ely, RP, Schwenksville, PA (10/28/97)
Barbara I. Nield, RP, Philadelphia, PA (12/4/00)
Donna Colarulo, RP, Haddonfield, NJ (10/13/01)
Donna McConnell, RP, Logan Township, NJ (7/1/03)
Valerie Dolan, RP, Philadelphia, PA (5/7/04)
Sharon DeNofa, RP, Philadelphia, PA (5/18/07)

PACE SCHOLARSHIP
At least two PACE Scholarships valued at $325 will be awarded each year at the March and September bimonthly luncheons. In order to be eligible for the scholarship, you must be a PAP member, meet the education/experience requirement and are committed to taking PACE within one year. Entry forms are to be completed and returned to Barbara Nield, RP, Pace Ambassador, at least one week prior to the date of drawing. You do not need to be present at the time of the drawing to win. Click here for entry form.

CONGRATULATIONS TO PACE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS!!
Congratulations to Robert Hrouda of Hangley, Aronchik, Segal & Pudlin, and Marie DeCarlo of Pepper Hamilton, winners of the PACE Scholarship awarded at the March 11, 2008 bimonthly luncheon.

PACE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS TO DATE
Sharon DeNofa (12/13/05)
Lisa Lewandowski (5/9/06)
Lisa Ann Zolna (9/19/06)
Desiree Purvenas (3/13/07)
Judy Stouffer, Berner & Klaw (9/11/07)
Elizabeth Montanti, U.S. Department of Justice (9/11/07)
Robert Hrouda (3/11/08)
Marie DeCarlo (3/11/08)

PACE SCHOLARSHIP SPONSORS
Special Counsel (9/19/06)

PACE STUDY GROUPS
Now forming. Please contact PACE Ambassador if you would like to join

PACE AMBASSADOR:
Barbara I. Nield, RP
Schnader, Harrison, Segal & Lewis, LLP
1600 Market Street, 32nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-751-2101

To the NFPA Board and Delegates

Please accept a sincere thank you from the Board of Directors for the
Foundation for the Advancement of the Paralegal Profession for the warm
welcome and reception I received at the 2007 NFPA Annual Convention in
Tampa, Florida.

I appreciated the opportunity to address each of the Regions and
describe the Foundation's first fundraiser. The fundraiser was well
received and is off to a great beginning.

Many Members Associations asked for an electronic copy of the flyer and
for information about making contributions in the name of Andrea
Lupanze (FAPP Memorial Page), RP. Please see attached (Silicone Bracelet).

I am looking forward to making progress on behalf of the Foundation and
will be certain to keep the NFPA membership informed.

Kathleen K. Miller, RP