There is currently no requirement in Washington State for a person to be licensed, certified or registered in any way or with any state agency or association before he or she can obtain a position as a paralegal (see Regulation.) There is in fact no entity currently set up to "certify" Washington's paralegals. Paralegals who complete a recognized field of study in both ABA and non-ABA approved educational programs are more properly called "certificated" paralegals, not "certified" paralegals.

In Washington, paralegals are usually required to practice law under the supervision of an attorney. Washington State has a statute prohibiting the practice of law without a license as an attorney, and this is sometimes applied to persons purporting to be paralegals and providing services directly to the public. Complaints about unauthorized practice of law by non-attorneys may be addressed to the Practice of Law Board. WSPA, as a voluntary membership professional association, has no authority to regulate or oversee the actions of paralegals, nor to prohibit "non-qualified" individuals from identifying themselves as paralegals.

There is however a voluntary Certification exam known as PACE (Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam), which is administered through WSPA's parent association, NFPA, whereby experienced paralegals can demonstrate their advanced legal competency.

Ex Parte Filings

In certain counties in Washington, including, among others, King County, Pierce County, and Spokane County, a paralegal can register with the Court or with the local County Bar Association in order to be able to present ex parte filings to the Court in place of an attorney. Washington is the exception to the rule in this regard, and we salute those forward-looking paralegals and attorneys who championed this effort!

There are, however, certain voluntary registrations and certifications that a paralegal can obtain which will enhance employability, including the national PACE certification.

Voluntary Certification - PACE Exam

Key Points of PACE

The Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) is offered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. (NFPA) to test the competency level of experienced paralegals.

Savvy employers are recognizing PACE accredited paralegals by the "R.P." (Registered Paralegal) designation after their names, and compensating them at higher levels due to their demonstrated legal competency.

Exam for Experienced Paralegals

PACE is offered to paralegals who have a minimum of two years' experience and meet specific educational requirements. PACE is designed for professional paralegals who want to pioneer the expansion of paralegal roles for the future of the profession, not to restrict entry into the profession.

Two-tier Exam

Each tier addresses different areas. Tier I addresses general legal issues and ethics. As the need arises, a section for state-specific laws may also be developed. Tier II addresses specialty sections.

Fair and Independent

PACE has been developed by a professional testing firm, assisted by an independent task force including paralegals, lawyers, paralegal educators and content specialists from the general public who are legal advocates. Ongoing administration will be handled by PES.

Voluntary

Paralegals will have the option to sit for the exam at more than 200 Sylvan Technology Centers. As activities and proposals for regulation of the profession increase, all paralegals will be encouraged to take the exam.

Credential Maintenance

To maintain the PACE RP credential, paralegals are required to obtain 12 hours of continuing legal education, including at least one hour in ethics, every two years.

More information about the PACE exam can be found on the NFPA web site. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , our PACE Ambassador for any remaining questions you may have about PACE or to arrange for a speaker for your organization to speak about the role of PACE in enhancing the paralegal profession. Please contact Laura  if you would like to join or form a study group in your local area.

Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam

Applications to sit for PACE are available from NFPA; eligible paralegals who meet minimum experience and educational requirements may sit for the exam. PACE focuses on general legal issues and on ethics and may be taken at more than 200 Sylvan Technology Centers across the Country. WSPA encourages all paralegals who meet the application criteria to sit for the exam.

Paralegals who successfully pass PACE, have the privilege of using the NFPA credential “PACE Registered Paralegal” or “R.P.” The R.P. credential is becoming more recognized by employers as a means of identifying the advanced skill level of paralegals.

To maintain the PACE RP credential, paralegals are required to obtain 12 hours of continuing legal education, including at least one hour in ethics, every two years.

More information about the PACE exam can be found on the NFPA web site. Contact Laura Jordan, our PACE Ambassador for any remaining questions you may have about PACE or to arrange for a speaker for your organization to speak about the role of PACE in enhancing the paralegal profession. Please contact Laura if you would like to join or form a study group in your local area.

Washington State's Registered Paralegals

WSPA is proud to recognize those PACE Registered Paralegals who have successfully passed this exam. Below is a list of WSPA R.P.'s that have been brought to our attention to date. If you have obtained your RP, please notify the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it so we can update our listing.

Terri M. Alvarado, RP
Spokane, WA
Received RP Designation--December 29, 2001

Deborah A. Aubrey, RP 
Bellevue, WA
Received RP Designation--March 31, 2009

Anne Marie Bauer, RP

Everett, WA

Received RP Designation--August 26, 2000

Brandy Bewley, RP

Seattle, WA

Received RP Designation--September 3, 1997

Leisa K. Bulick, RP

White Salmon, WA

Received RP Designation--August 24, 2000

Christine M. Carpenter, RP

Auburn, WA

Received RP Designation--June 6, 2006

Lauren M. Cole, RP

Poulsbo, WA

Received RP Designation--June 17, 2006

Frieda Cramer, RP

Fife, WA

Received RP Designation--December 14, 2000

Bonnie S Fruik, RP

Seattle, WA

Received RP Designation--January 8, 2001

Brian Haberly, RP 
Seattle, WA
Received RP Designation--March 31, 2009

Rosemary A. Harnett, RP

Spokane, WA

Received RP Designation--January 19, 2001

Karri J. Harrington, RP

Lynnwood, WA

Received RP Designation--November 29, 2000

Marsha A. Huffsmith, RP

Seattle, WA

Received RP Designation--October 28, 2000

John K. Iki, RP

Edmonds, WA

Received RP Designation--April 28, 2001

Darlene C. Klister, RP

Anacortes, WA

Received RP Designation--May 13, 2000

Julie M. Lycklama, RP 
Vancouver, WA
Received RP Designation--March 31, 2009

Tammy L. Larson-White, RP

Tukwila, WA

Received RP Designation--July 26, 2001

Ava Schroen

Gig Harbor, WA

Received RP Designation--August 13, 2007

Mary H. Schnautz, RP

Redmond, WA

Received RP Designation--January 24, 2000

Kristy A. Taylor, RP

Vancouver, WA

Received RP Designation--May 25, 2006

Sharon D. Thompson

Issaquah, WA

Received RP Designation--August 11, 2007

Carl K. Turner, RP 
Camano Island, WA
Received RP Designation--March 31, 2009

Sandra Watanabe, RP

Seattle, WA

Received RP Designation--February, 2008

Denise Woods, RP

Issaquah, WA

Received RP Designation--February 3, 2001

Theda Yandell, RP

Seattle, WA

Received RP Designation--December, 2006

Ken A. Zeringer, RP

Poulsbo, WA

Received RP Designation--August 16, 2000

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