Kentucky’s paralegals are the most valued support professionals in the legal field. Known for their organizational prowess, their expertise in producing legal documents and correspondence, and their proficiency in multi-tasking, paralegals are indispensable members of corporate law departments, independent law firms, state and federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations throughout the state.
Whether you’re looking for a paralegal job in one of Kentucky’s major corporations like Ashland, Omnicare, and Humana or at one of the state’s biggest law firms like Frost Brown Todd LLC in Louisville, Stoll Keenon Ogden in Lexington, and McBrayer, McGinnis, Leslie & Kirkland PLLC (MMLK) in Lexington, you’ll need to first understand how to become a paralegal in Kentucky to ensure you have what today’s top employers demand.
Kentucky holds the distinction of being the first state to define paralegals and their use within the legal field. In 1979, the Kentucky Supreme Court issued Rule 3.700 which requires the direct supervision of paralegals by lawyers, expects paralegals to maintain client confidentiality, forbids the unauthorized practice of law by a paralegal and mandates that paralegals disclose to clients that they are not lawyers.
In 2010, the Kentucky Paralegal Association (KPA) implemented a voluntary certification process for paralegals in order to fully implement the standards set forth in Rule 3.700. The goal of the KPA’s certification process is to raise the level of professional competence and responsibility of paralegals by setting minimum expectations for training, on-the-job experience and paralegal education. The hope is that long-term, the certification process will improve the quality of service that paralegals provide thereby increasing their utilization and availability to the public.
In order to qualify take the Certified Kentucky Paralegal (CPK) exam, a paralegal must meet one of the following qualifications:
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- Completion of an American Bar Association (ABA) approved paralegal studies program, such as a certificate program or an A.A. or B.A. in paralegal studies
- Completion of substantive coursework in paralegal studies from a non-ABA approved program that meets standards similar to those of the ABA
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited institution, combine with one year of work experience as a paralegal
- Performance of at least five years of verifiable work experience as a paralegal under the supervision of an attorney
Paralegal Education
With a statewide focus on certification and increasing the utilization of paralegals in the legal field, many paralegals in Kentucky find it helpful to obtain formal education in order to get started in the field. Educational programs can help a paralegal qualify to take the Certified Kentucky Paralegal exam and also can distinguish the entry-level paralegal from other job candidates.
Paralegal studies programs are offered at several different levels: certificates, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees. Paralegal studies programs may be recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA) or not, and may or may not be offered by accredited institutions. For the purposes of becoming a Certified Kentucky Paralegal, aspiring paralegals should investigate these distinctions and choose a program that will help them meet the exam’s eligibility requirements.
Is There Paralegal Certification in Kentucky?
Certificate programs are educational program that offer students a certificate of completion. Such certificates may help make a paralegal eligible to take a certification exam, but they do not make the paralegal “certified.” After completing an educational certificate program, a paralegal is considered “certificated”.
In order to become certified, a paralegal must successfully pass a state or national exam in their field. In Kentucky, the Certified Kentucky Paralegal (CKP) exam is a statewide exam which is administered by the Kentucky Paralegal Association. To earn this you must pass the exam, become a member of the KPA, and meet one of the following:
- Graduate from an ABA-approved paralegal studies course, or one that has substantial compliance similarities
- Bachelor’s degree in any subject plus one year of paralegal experience
- Five years of paralegal work experience
National certification is also available through administered by one of the three national paralegal associations. Currently there are four national exams from which to select:
- The PACE offered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)
- The PCCE also offered by National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)
- The CLA/CP offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
- The PP offered by the Association for Legal Professionals (NALS)
Requirements for the national exams differ between the three national paralegal organizations and also differ from the requirement to become a Certified Kentucky Paralegal.
Professional Paralegal Associations
The Kentucky Paralegal Association works at the statewide level on matters such as certification than affect all paralegals in Kentucky. The KPA cooperates with the Kentucky State Bar, the American Bar Association, government agencies, law firms and other organizations to further the professional goals of paralegals and ensure smooth working relationships throughout the state’s legal community. The KPA offers its members educational programs, continuing legal education, networking opportunities and current information pertaining to the practice of their profession.
The KPA offers five levels of membership:
- Active – Open to any paralegal employed and supervised by a licensed attorney within Kentucky who meets one of the following:
- Graduate from an ABA-approved paralegal studies course, or one that has substantial compliance similarities
- Bachelor’s degree in any subject plus one year of paralegal experience
- Associate’s degree in any field, completion of 24 credits from an ABA-approved paralegal studies course or one that has substantial compliance similarities, and one year of paralegal work experience
- Five years of paralegal work experience
- Associate – Open to anyone who meets the requirements for active membership except for one of the following exceptions:
- Does not live or work in Kentucky
- Not currently employed as a paralegal
- Does not have one year of work experience
- Does not have five years of work experience
- Student – Open to any student who would be eligible for active membership upon graduation from their school
- Adjunct – Open to any program director or educator of an ABA-approved paralegal studies course or course that has substantial compliance similarities to the ABA
- Sustaining – Open to any attorney, law firm, business entity, educational institution, or bar association that shares the KPA’s goals and purposes
Regionally, there are five paralegals associations that build professional relationships between local members of the legal community and offer regional insights to their membership. These associations: the Association of Paralegals (LAP), the Greater Appalachian Paralegal Association (GAPA), the Greater Lexington Paralegal Association (GLPA), the Northern Kentucky Association of Paralegals (NKAP), and the Western Kentucky Paralegals (WKP) also work with the KPA on statewide issues.
Important Contacts for Paralegals
- Kentucky Paralegal Association (KPA)
- Louisville Association of Paralegals (LAP)
- Greater Appalachian Paralegal Association (GAPA)
- Greater Lexington Paralegal Association (GLPA), affiliated with the NFPA
- Northern Kentucky Association of Paralegals (NKAP)
- Western Kentucky Paralegals (WKP), affiliated with NALA
- State of Kentucky Supreme Court Rule 3.700 – Provisions relating to paralegals
- Overview of Paralegals and Paralegal Certification in Kentucky
- Kentucky Secretary of State
- Kentucky Bar Association
- Kentucky Court of Justice