A formal education is not required to become a paralegal. Paralegals start off their career paths in many ways including varying levels of formal education, certifications, and on-the-job-training and experience. They can start working for law firms, non-profits, real estate firms, large companies, and even for the government. Where and what they do for work depends on a mixture of education, certifications, and experience.
Paralegals come from a variety of backgrounds. Some paralegals have a degree (either 2-year or bachelor's) in paralegal studies. Others started with a degree from a completely different field. Some of these paralegals have completed a paralegal certificate while others have only on-the-job experience! The paralegals with on-the-job experience may have worked their way up from a lower position in a law firm. Typically CEU or Continuing Education Units are required by their firm.
There is generally no requirement in states for legal assistants or paralegals. California, however, is a major exception. Up until Business and professions code 6450 was signed into law by Governor Gray Davis in 2000, there was little, if any regulation of paralegals in the state. This caused the paralegal community to demand that the paralegal profession in California be regulated. Now persons wishing to become paralegals must complete a program approved by the ABA, complete a 24 semester unit paralegal program at an accredited institution or they can be grandfathered in under BPC 6450-56.
