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In June 2014, the Minnesota Paralegal Association announced its voluntary certification program, Minnesota Certified Paralegal (MnCP) to establish a standard of competency for paralegals in Minnesota. The first MnCP credentials were awarded September 1, 2014. This program is an opportunity for Minnesota paralegals to validate their qualifications and offers a credential to paralegals that meet certain education and experience requirements.

Applications for the certification program can be found on the Minnesota Paralegal Association’s website or by contacting the Regulation Committee Chair at regulation@mnparalegals.org. 

Applications will be reviewed in the order in which they are received. The Minnesota Paralegal Association will do its best to evaluate applications within 30 days of receipt, but note that at times of high volume, it may take longer. Credentialing occurs on the first of the month, and typically credentials are awarded the 1^st of the month following submission of the application. For example, an application received on August 12th, should be ready for award on September 1^st. 

The new Minnesota Certified Paralegals may begin using the MnCP designation when they receive approval of their application, which typically occurs on or about the 1^st of the month following the application. For example, if you apply for your MnCP credential on September 10, you should receive an approval notice and authorization to use the credential on or about October 1. The form of the credential should be in the following format: your name, any applicable RP® or CRP™ credential, then the MnCP credential, i.e. either "Jane M. Doe, RP®, MnCP," or "Jane M. Doe, MnCP." It would be good practice to follow it up on a signature block with the full title, "Minnesota Certified Paralegal." 

New MnCP’s will receive an Acknowledgement Certificate from the Minnesota Paralegal Association recognizing their achievement, and they will be recognized in the issue of Citations following their credentialing.

After becoming a MnCP, individuals wishing to maintain their credential will be required to complete and record 10 CLE credits, including 2 ethics credit (or one ethics credit and 1 DEI credit), every two years. The CLE credits may cross over with RP®, CRP®, or other CLE requirements.  The individual will renew credentials every two years, due by the anniversary of the date they received their credential.

Any questions can be directed to the Regulation Committee by e-mailing regulation@mnparalegals.org 

REQUIREMENTS

The Minnesota Certified Paralegal (MnCP) must meet one of the following qualifications:

• The applicant has obtained an associate's degree or its equivalent in paralegal studies from an ABA approved or institutionally accredited educational institution and has 4 years of substantive paralegal experience.

• The applicant has obtained a baccalaureate degree in paralegal studies from an ABA approved or institutionally accredited educational institution and has 2 years of substantive paralegal experience.

• The applicant has received a baccalaureate degree in any discipline from an accredited educational institution, has obtained a post-baccalaureate certificate in paralegal studies from an ABA approved or institutionally accredited educational institution, and has 2 years of substantive paralegal experience.

• The applicant has received a baccalaureate degree in any discipline from an institutionally accredited educational institution, and has 4 years of substantive paralegal experience.

• The applicant is a PACE Registered Paralegal.

• The applicant is a CORE Registered Paralegal or a Certified Paralegal (through the National Association of Legal Assistants) and has 4 years of substantive paralegal experience.

• The applicant has received a high school diploma or its equivalent, has a minimum of 10 years of substantive paralegal experience, and has completed a minimum of 10 CLE credits, including two ethics credits, in the two years prior to application.

• The applicant has graduated from an accredited law school and has not been disbarred or suspended from the practice of law by any jurisdiction, and has a minimum of 2 year of substantive paralegal experience immediately preceding their application.