Ever wonder what it takes to pass the NALA Certified Paralegal (CP®) certification exam? Let’s break it down and set you apart in your field. You can do this. 

Guest Lori Young is a full-time faculty member at the College of the Canyons in California and a part-time instructor at the University of California Santa Barbara. She has been a paralegal professional for more than 25 years and specializes in legal tech, contract law, estate planning, and helping students just like you prepare for and pass the CP exam. 

Young knows firsthand the ins and outs of the CP exam. She freely admits she failed it the first time, so she’s been there, done that, and knows what it takes. She buckled down and passed, then helped develop a curriculum to help others pass the exam the first time. She offers tips and inspiration for anyone considering taking the plunge. (Spoiler: Taking a prep course can give you the confidence you need). 

In California, CP Exam test prep programs are free at community colleges, but they’re also available at a very low cost online for those outside the state. Certification can boost your career, elevate your performance, increase your confidence, and make you more valuable to your team. Bottom line: the CP designation opens new doors. No more putting it off. 

Lori also offers her first hand experience with the recent California wildfires. The College of the Canyons became an evacuation center for the community and served as a center for the Incident Command team. She urges paralegal students to become more involved in their communities via volunteer opportunities and working with legal clinics to assist those impacted by disaster. 

Mentioned in This Episode:

NALA Certified Paralegal (CP®) program

NALA CP practice exam

Certified Paralegal Exam Test Preparation Program, College of the Canyons

NALA Conference & Expo 2025

NALA, The Paralegal Association

Los Angeles Paralegal Association (LAPA)

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