Continuing Legal Education (CLE)

Legal and other education programs designed to maintain and improve the professional competence of practicing paralegals 



CLE Credit Standards & Eligibility Criteria


As set out in the KPA Professional Standards and Certification Program Policy, continuing legal education (CLE) is legal and other education programs designed to maintain and improve the professional competence of practicing paralegals. CLE activity is approved for KPACC CLE credit if the Committee determines that the activity is conducted by a KPACC approved CLE Sponsor and meets the criteria:

As set out in the Certified Kentucky Paralegal Program (CKPP): 

  • Continuing Legal Education (CLE) means legal and other education programs which are designed to maintain and improve the professional competence of practicing paralegals.  
  • Credit is a 50-minute unit for measuring Continuing Legal Education (CLE) activity. A credit for purposes of this requirement is fifty (50) minutes of actual instruction. Instructional time shall not include introductory remarks, breaks, or business meetings held in conjunction with a continuing legal education activity.  
  • CLE Ethics Credit means any 50-minute unit of a legal or other education program activity relating primarily to legal ethics, including but not limited to the Kentucky Paralegal Association’s Paralegal Professional Standards of Conduct or Kentucky Supreme Court Rule 3.130.

All continuing legal education activity, including those conducted by a KPACC approved CLE sponsor, must meet the following criteria to be eligible for CLE credit:

  • The activity is an organized program of learning including a course of study, workshop, symposium or lecture, which contributes directly to the legal competence of a paralegal.
  • The activity deals primarily with substantive legal issues directly related to paralegal practice and includes consideration of any related issues of legal ethics or professional responsibility.
  • The activity has significant intellectual or practical content which is timely.
  • The activity must be offered by a sponsor having substantial, recent experience and ability in offering continuing legal or law-related education. Demonstrated ability arises partly from the extent to which individuals with legal training or educational experience are involved in the planning, instruction and supervision of the activity.
  • The activity itself must be taught and conducted by an individual or group qualified by practical or academic experience;
  • It is the obligation of the CKP seeking credit to ensure the activity meets the criteria for approval.  

The following categories of activities are not approved by the KPACC as continuing legal education activity and shall not qualify for CLE credit.

    • Activities designed primarily for clerical or administrative functions.
    • Home study or self-study.
    • Correspondence classes.
    • Programs taken in preparation for licensure exams for non-paralegals.
    • Business meetings or committee meetings of paralegal and law-related associations.
    • Activity completed prior to successful completion of the Certified Kentucky Paralegal exam and notification to the CKP of certified status or activity completed prior to the calendar year for which the CKP is required to begin reporting CLE credits. 
    • No additional credit shall be given for completing or participating in duplicate activities at different times or locations. 

 Questions regarding CLE Credit Standards & Eligibility Criteria? Contact KPACC.


KPACC Approved CLE Sponsors

As set out in the KPA Professional Certification Program Policy, Section 9.02(A), continuing legal education (CLE) activity is approved for KPACC CLE credit if the Committee determines that the activity is conducted by a KPACC approved CLE Sponsor and meets the criteria set out under Section 9.02(B). 

KPACC Approved CLE Sponsors include, but may not be limited to:

    • Any legal and other education program sponsor conducting activity approved for CLE credit by the Kentucky Bar Association under SCR 3.650. KBA Accredited CLE Programs can be found here.
    • Any legal and other education program sponsored by the Kentucky Paralegal Association.
    • Any legal and other education program sponsored by local paralegal associations within Kentucky.
    • Any legal and other education program sponsor conducting activity approved for CLE credit by the American Bar Association or a state Bar Association within the United States.
    • Any legal and other education program sponsored by a national paralegal association, including, but not limited to, the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), or a state or local Paralegal Association within the United States.
    • Paralegal studies or legal education courses within a curriculum approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) or in substantial compliance with ABA approval guidelines, or offered by an ABA accredited law school within the state of Kentucky. Restrictions apply. See Policy Section 9.02(A)(1)(f).
    • Courses taken in preparation for non-KPA sponsored paralegal certification or law-related specialty exams, including courses sponsored by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) for Certified Paralegal (CP) and Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) credentials and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations for the PACE RP® credential. Restrictions apply. See Policy Section 9.02(A)(1)(g).
    • Successful completion of the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) or National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) certification or specialty exams. Restrictions apply. See Policy Section 9.02(A)(1)(h).


Upcoming Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Opportunities

KPA | KPA 2025 1/2 Day Free Spring CLE | Coming Soon!

ACEDS | Free E-Discovery CLE Webinars

 Ky Bar Association CLE Programs | Accredited Program Search

Additional CLE Provider Links

Disclaimer: The Kentucky Paralegal Association provides a listing of CLE opportunities for informational purposes only. Posts do not constitute an endorsement of any specific CLE sponsor or CLE program. The KPA encourages paralegals to conduct their own research and due diligence before participating in any program.

Certified Kentucky Paralegals: For CLE credit eligibility, it is the responsibility of the CKP to determine if the program sponsor is a KPACC approved CLE sponsor and if the CLE activity conforms to the KPACC Approved Continuing Legal Education Credit Standards under Section 9.02 of the Kentucky Paralegal Association’s Professional Standards and Certification Program policy.    




 

Kentucky Paralegal Association
P. O. Box 2675
Louisville, Kentucky 40201-2675 

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