More study resources

About this exam

The NALA ACP Criminal Litigation designation is an Advanced Certified Paralegal credential offered within NALA's certification program. NALA describes itself as offering "the only nationally accredited paralegal certification," and its certification pathway begins with the Certified Paralegal (CP®) credential, described as "the gold standard credential" and "a proud achievement and a career-long commitment." The ACP specialty builds on that foundation for paralegals who want to demonstrate deeper subject-matter knowledge in criminal litigation practice.

This credential is intended for working paralegals - NALA notes that its community includes "thousands of paralegals dedicated to professional growth" - including litigation paralegals who support criminal matters and want a credential that signals specialized competence to employers and attorneys. Candidates typically already hold or are pursuing the CP credential.

Because the dedicated ACP Criminal Litigation program page could not be retrieved at the time of writing, this guide does not state exam length, question count, time limit, fee, passing score, retake rules, or validity period; those details should be confirmed directly with NALA. Content areas likewise are not itemized here.

Preparation generally means building fluency in criminal procedure, evidence, discovery, motions practice, trial support, and sentencing documentation, then studying NALA's published materials. NALA advertises CP exam preparation tools including practice questions, digital flashcards, detailed feedback, and AI-powered study support, and offers on-demand CLE bundles and its Facts & Findings magazine. Candidates should verify ACP-specific study resources and application requirements with NALA before registering. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NALA.

What you'll study

Common questions

About NALA ACP Criminal Litigation preparation

Is this page an official NALA resource?

No. This is independent study material written for candidates searching for information on the ACP Criminal Litigation credential. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NALA. Always confirm requirements, fees, and scheduling directly with NALA, which publishes its certification information at nala.org and can be reached at [email protected] or 918-587-6828.

What is the difference between the CP and ACP credentials?

NALA describes the Certified Paralegal (CP®) credential as its nationally accredited certification and the entry point of its certification pathway. The ACP is the advanced specialty tier, allowing a paralegal to demonstrate focused knowledge in an area such as criminal litigation. Candidates should confirm current eligibility rules, including whether CP status is a prerequisite, with NALA.

How long is the exam and how many questions does it have?

Those details are not stated in the source material available here, so no figure is given rather than risk an outdated number. Exam length, item count, and time limits are set by NALA and can change between administrations. Check NALA's current certification materials or contact NALA directly before you build a study schedule around any timing assumption.

What score do I need to pass, and can I retake it?

Passing scores and retake policies are not published in the material reviewed here, so they are left blank rather than guessed. Both are commonly revised, and older figures circulate widely online. Confirm the current passing standard, any waiting period between attempts, and the retake fee with NALA before registering so your plan reflects the rules actually in force.

What does the criminal litigation exam cover?

The source does not itemize content areas for this specialty, so no domain breakdown is asserted here. In practice, criminal litigation paralegal work centers on procedure, evidence, discovery, motions, trial preparation, and post-conviction documentation. Use NALA's official content outline, if published, as the authoritative scope, and treat any third-party topic list as a study aid only.

How should I order my studying?

Start with the official scope and any NALA study materials, then work from procedure to practice: charging and arraignment, pretrial motions and discovery, trial support, and sentencing or post-conviction filings. NALA advertises practice questions, digital flashcards, and detailed feedback as CP exam tools, and its on-demand CLE bundles and Facts & Findings magazine as continuing education.

How much does it cost and how long is the credential valid?

Fees and any validity or recertification period are not stated in the source reviewed, so they are reported as unknown rather than estimated. Certification fees and maintenance requirements are revised periodically. Verify the current application fee, any membership-related pricing, and recertification obligations directly with NALA before you budget or plan a renewal cycle.

What are the most common ways candidates lose points?

Typical failure modes are studying from stale third-party outlines instead of NALA's current scope, memorizing definitions without practicing application to fact patterns, and mismanaging time on lengthy hypotheticals. Because this specialty rewards procedural precision, also drill deadlines, filing sequences, and document names. Use practice questions with feedback to expose weak areas early rather than rereading notes.

Where can I get official information and study support?

Go to nala.org for certification, education, and membership information. NALA's site lists a Store, Events, a Resource Navigator, and a FAQ page, and NALA advertises exam preparation tools with practice questions, flashcards, feedback, and AI-powered study support. NALA is located at 6450 S. Lewis Avenue, Suite 250, Tulsa, OK 74136, and can be reached by phone, fax, or email.