How to Become a Paralegal in Washington

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How to Become a Paralegal in Washington

Paralegals in Washington State receive the second-highest average salaries in the nation.

Only the District of Columbia pays its legal assistants a higher annual wage.

In addition, as one of only four states that allow legal apprenticeships, paralegals and legal assistants in Washington can use their work experience to take and pass the bar exam without first graduating from law school.

Licensing Requirements for Washington Paralegals

Washington State does not have a formal entity to regulate paralegals.

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Instead, paralegals complete a certification program through one of several national professional organizations, including:

The NFPA (National Federation of Paralegal Associations) is an umbrella organization.

Its Washington affiliate is the Washington State Paralegal Association.

NFPA holds study groups for the Paralegal Core Competency Exam (PCCE) for entry-level paralegals and Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) for experienced paralegals.

The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) provides the Certified Paralegal exam, which has two parts: Knowledge and Skills.

Applicants must pass the knowledge test before advancing to the skills test.

Applicants qualify for the exam in three different ways:

  • Current enrollment in or graduation from a paralegal program
  • Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in any field
  • Reaching seven years of experience as a paralegal

The third credentialing organization, the National Association for Legal Support Professionals (NALS), provides three certificates:

  1. Accredited Legal Professional (ALP)
  2. Certified Legal Professional/Professional Legal Secretary (CLP/PLS)
  3. Professional Paralegal (PP)

The Accredited Legal Professional credential exam has three parts.

You must take and pass all three on the same attempt with a 70 percent or higher score.

Exceptional paralegals should take the Certified Legal Professional/Professional Legal Secretary (CLP/PLS) because successful passage grants you a five-year certificate.

The Professional Paralegal (PP) credential proves your superior grasp of all areas of law.

Paralegal Schools in Washington

These paralegal programs in Washington State currently appear on the list of ABA-approved schools:

South Puget Sound Community College

South Puget Sound Community College Logo

  • Program Length: Nine quarters to complete 97 to 101 credits.
  • Cost: $8612, including books and supplies
  • Must complete 13.5 quarter credits of legal specialty courses
  • Students must attend the Paralegal Skills Application course at the Paralegal Community Justice Clinic.
  • Contact Director Adam Tenenbaum (360) 596-5438 or Email: atenenbaum@spscc.edu

Tacoma Community College

Tacoma Community College Logo

Tacoma CC has two Paralegal Program options.

First, enroll in the Associate of Applied Science if you do not possess an associate or baccalaureate degree or do not already work as a legal assistant.

Instead, select the Paralegal Preferred Pro-Certificate, if you have one or more degrees or already have law office experience.

  • Program Length: 101 credits (about two years)
  • Cost: Students must live in Washington for 12 months before enrollment to receive resident tuition rates.
  • Washington residents pay $119.13 per credit, while non-residents pay $135.04. International students pay $306.92 per credit.
  • Contact Director Jennifer Sorensen (253) 566-5053 or Email: jsorensen@tacomacc.edu.

Edmonds College

Edmonds College Logo

Edmonds offers three paralegal options: the Paralegal Associate in Applied Science — Transfer degree, the Paralegal Associate of Technical Arts, and the Advanced Certificate Paralegal.

  • Program Length: 18 months for the AAS-T and the ATA, and nine months for the ACP
  • Cost: $10,700 for the AAS-T, $10,075 for the ATA, and $5,000 for the ACP
  • The AAS-T requires ten credits in American Sign Language
  • Contact Director Scott Haddock (425) 640-1185 or Email: scott.haddock@edmonds.edu

Highline Community College

Highline Community College Logo

Spokane Community College

Spokane Community College Logo

Paralegal Schools in Washington – Summary Table

School Name Address
South Puget Sound Community College 2011 Mottman Rd SW, Olympia, WA 98512
Tacoma Community College 6501 S 19th St, Tacoma, WA 98466
Edmonds College 20000 68th Ave W, Lynnwood, WA 98036
Highline Community College 2400 S 240th St, Des Moines, WA 98198
Spokane Community College 1810 N Greene St, Spokane, WA 99217
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Advantages of Becoming a Paralegal: Salaries and Apprenticeships

In addition to their $71,900 median annual salary, Washington paralegals can work as apprentices for 32 or more hours per week under supervision in an attorney’s office, a business legal department, or a general, limited, or appeals courthouse.

However, the clerk must also pay the Washington State Bar Association fees for the bar exam.

Four Washington counties also grant expanded practice privileges, allowing paralegals to present ex parte filings in court.

Annual Salary Range:
$56K
$64K
$72K
10%
50%
90%
Annual Salary by Location:
Location Avg. Annual Salary
Seattle $65,949
Spokane $58,145
Tacoma $63,960
Vancouver $62,458
Bellevue $65,949
Everett $64,538
Federal Way $63,960
Kent $63,831
Yakima $59,699
Bellingham $61,585

Regional Salary in Washington

Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Bellingham, WA110$60,100$28.9$76,710$40,040
Bremerton-Silverdale, WA190$60,560$29.11$80,630$47,460
Kennewick-Richland, WA160$59,870$28.79$81,230$40,780
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA80$56,720$27.27$77,310$37,160
Olympia-Tumwater, WA470$59,520$28.61$74,590$44,840
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA5,590$78,230$37.61$106,510$50,410
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA510$60,900$29.28$89,020$42,740
Wenatchee, WA80$60,890$29.28$79,340$41,610
Yakima, WA200$57,210$27.51$74,020$39,520
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Paralegals and Legal Assistants, OCC Code 23-2011, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Washington paralegals have to attend ABA-approved education programs to take the bar exam?

No, they can apprentice themselves to an attorney instead.

How do paralegals qualify for the NALA Certified Paralegal Exam? 

Current enrollment in or graduation from a paralegal program

Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in any field

Reaching seven years’ paralegal experience

Which college specifies reduced tuition rates for veterans?

Spokane Community College charges $92.97 per credit to eligible veterans.

Whose program takes the longest to complete?

Tacoma CC and Highline CC have programs that take about two years to complete.

Which professional exam grants a five-year credential?

Does any program have an unusual requirement?

Yes, the AAS-T at Edmonds College requires two ASL classes.

Which course costs the least?

Edmonds College charges $5000 for the ACP.

How many other states allow apprenticeships in place of paralegal classes?

Three other states allow legal experience instead of ABA-approved paralegal programs.

USA Paralegal Schools by State


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