ALS Information - PLS Information


PLS - Certified Professional Legal Secretary
  1. PLS . . . the advanced certification for legal professionalsŪ -- A Professional Goal
    How do your skills compare with the hallmark of a professional? PLSŪ is the designation for lawyer's assistants who want to be identified as exceptional. Certification is received after passing a one-day, four-part examination which demonstrates not only dedication to professionalism but acceptance of the challenge to be exceptional. Personal motivation is necessary to attain such a goal.

    The purpose of the examination is to certify a lawyer's assistant as a person who possesses:

    • a mastery of office skills
    • the ability to interact on a professional level with attorneys, clients, and other support staff
    • the discipline to assume responsibility and exercise initiative and judgment, and
    • a working knowledge of procedural law, the law library, and how to prepare legal documents.

  2. PLSŪ Examination Eligibility

    Any person who has had three years' experience in the legal field may take the examination. Membership in NALS is not a requirement. A partial waiver of the three-year legal experience requirement may be granted for post-secondary degrees, successful completion of the ALSŪ exam, or other certifications. The maximum waiver is one year.

  3. The PLS Certification Exam Covers

    • PART 1: Written Communications
    • PART 2: Office Procedures and Technology
    • PART 3: Ethics and Judgment
    • PART 4: Legal Knowledge and Skills

  4. Examination Guidelines

    All four parts of the examination must be taken on the first attempt. If you do not pass the entire examination on the first attempt, but do pass one or more parts, you may retake the part (or parts) you failed. All failed parts must be retaken at the same time.

    Those passing the exam will receive a certificate which is valid for five years. Re-certification is required every five years and may be achieved through the accumulation of continuing legal education hours and activities.

  5. Examination Dates Each Year

    • March: First Saturday in March
    • July: In conjunction with the regional conferences held in July (if offered)
    • September: Last Saturday in September

  6. Preparing for the Exam

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ALS - Accredited Legal Secretary
  1. ALSŪ ... the basic certification for legal professionals - a Career Goal

    One way to demonstrate your preparedness for the demanding field of law is by becoming an ALSŪ. This designation is awarded after passing a four-hour, three-part examination. Attaining this goal demonstrates your commitment and aptitude for succeeding in the ever-changing legal environment.

    The ALSŪ Examination:

    • demonstrates ability to perform business communication tasks;
    • gauges ability to maintain office records and calendars, and prioritize multiple tasks when given real-life scenarios;
    • measures understanding of office equipment and related procedures;
    • denotes aptitude for understanding legal terminology, legal complexities, and supporting documents;
    • assesses recognition of accounting terms in order to solve accounting problems, and
    • appraises knowledge of law office protocol as prescribed by ethical codes.

  2. ALSŪ Examination Eligibility

    To sit for the examination, you must have completed one of the following:
    • an accredited office curriculum course,
    • the NALS Legal Training Course, or
    • one year of general office experience.

    Membership in NALS is not a requirement.

  3. The Exam Covers

    • PART 1: Written Communications
    • PART 2: Office Procedures and Legal Knowledge
    • PART 3: Ethics, Human Relations, and Judgment

  4. Examination Guidelines

    All three parts of the examination must be taken on the first attempt. If you do not pass the entire examination on the first attempt, you may retake the examination parts you did not pass. All failed parts must be retaken at the same time. You will be charged the full exam fee each time you sit.

    Those passing the exam will receive a certificate which is valid for five years.

    Certification may be extended through continuing education, based on NALS guidelines, for one year.

  5. Examination Dates

    March: First Saturday
    June: First Saturday *
    July: In conjunction with the regional conferences held in July (if held)
    September: Last Saturday
    December: First Saturday *

  6. Application Deadlines

    March: Postmarked by January 1
    June: Postmarked by April 15 *
    July: Postmarked by June 15
    September: Postmarked by August 1
    December: Postmarked by October 15 *

    * June and December testing are for those who've completed the Basic or Advanced NALS Legal Training Course.

  7. Preparing for the Exam

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