The S.C. Supreme Court has implemented a program for the voluntary certification of paralegals in South Carolina.
The Paralegal Certification program identifies qualified individuals to perform substantive legal work under the direction and supervision of a lawyer. The Bar administers this voluntary certification program.
While you do not have to become a SC Certified Paralegal to work as a paralegal in South Carolina, the title “South Carolina Certified Paralegal” and “SCCP” are reserved for those individuals who are certified by the South Carolina Board of Paralegal Certification.
Find a SC Certified Paralegal
Application Process
You can apply at any time during the year to become a SC Certified Paralegal. However, all certifications expire on June 30 and must be renewed by July 1 of each year regardless of the original certification date. An application fee of $50 must accompany each application. The fee shall apply to the applicant’s first partial or full year of certification.
SC Certified Paralegal Application
Continuing Education
Each certified paralegal is required to complete 10 hours of approved continuing education during each year of certification. Of the 10 hours, at least one hour must be devoted to the areas of professional responsibility or professionalism or any combination thereof. A maximum of 10 hours may be carried forward to the next certification year, of which one hour may be professional responsibility or professionalism credit.
SC Bar Certified Paralegals are eligible to attend virtually all live and live webcast SC Bar CLE seminars at half the regular attorney price. Each qualifying program will include a notation of the discounted price for certified paralegals. Login to update your contact information or check your CPE hours.
Login to CE Tracker
Contract Lawyer & Paralegal Directory
The Bar offers a directory of lawyers and paralegals available for contract work. The directory includes services offered, years of experience and counties where available. Please note: you do not have to be a SC Certified Paralegal to be included in the Contract Paralegal Directory.
Request to Join the Directory
CPE Applications
General Course Approval
Continuing education activities may be approved by the Board upon the written application of a sponsor or of a certified paralegal on an individual program basis. If advance approval is requested by a sponsor, the application and supporting documentation must be submitted at least 45 days prior to the date on which the course or program is scheduled. If advance approval is requested by a certified paralegal, the application need not include a complete set of supporting documentation. If more than five certified paralegals request approval of a particular program, either in advance of the date on which the course or program is scheduled or subsequent to that date, the program will not be accredited unless the sponsor applies for approval of the program and pays the accreditation fee. Where advance approval is not requested, the application and supporting documentation must be submitted not later than 45 days after the date the course or program was presented.
Accredited Sponsor Approval
Sponsors may seek accredited status by submitting an application and an annual fee of $200. A sponsor granted accredited status is not required to pay the $75 fee for approval of each CPE program or submit an application form; however, the sponsor must submit the program agenda for approval of each program. The status shall be effective from July 1 through June 30.
Teaching Credit
CPE credit may be earned for teaching an approved continuing education activity or for teaching a course at a qualified paralegal studies program.
Paralegal Organizations
Before Certification FAQs
No. This is a voluntary certification program. However, the title “South Carolina Certified Paralegal” and “SCCP” are reserved for those individuals who are certified by the South Carolina Board of Paralegal Certification.
To assist in the delivery of legal services to the public by identifying individuals who are qualified by education and training, and have demonstrated knowledge, skill, and proficiency to perform substantive legal work under the direction and supervision of a South Carolina licensed attorney.
No. There is no provision to allow South Carolina certification based on years of experience.
To apply, complete the application, enclose the $50 application fee and a copy of your national certification, and mail them to:
Board of Paralegal Certification
P.O. Box 608
Columbia, SC 29202
You can apply at any time during the year. However, all certifications expire on June 30 and must be renewed by July 1 of each year regardless of the original certification date.
Once your application has been processed you will receive a confirmation of receipt by email. Your certificate will be mailed around the same time you receive the email.
After Certification FAQs
A renewal application will be mailed to the address on file approximately 45 days prior to the renewal deadline. The following items are required: 1) a completed recertification application, 2) the $50 renewal fee, and 3) proof of completion of 10.0 hours of continuing paralegal education (CPE) including 1.0 hour of legal ethics/professional responsibility.
You can update your contact information by sending an email to Charmy Medlin at cmedlin@scbar.org or by logging in to the database using the CE Tracker.
To order a new certificate, please send a detailed request letter, including your name as you would like it printed on your new certificate, along with a $10 check for the reprinting fee to:
Board of Paralegal Certification
P.O. Box 208
Columbia, SC 29202
Continuing Legal Education FAQs
One of the purposes of the program is to improve competency of paralegals so they can better assist attorneys and clients. Annual continuing legal education courses will keep you current on changes in the area of law in which you work and help you learn more about your area of law, making you a better paralegal.
Paralegals can take either continuing legal education (CLE) courses for attorneys or continuing paralegal education (CPE) courses for paralegals. These courses will be offered by many of the paralegal and attorney organizations throughout South Carolina.
If you want to take a CLE/CPE course that has not been accredited, you can apply to have the course accredited just for you by filing the CPE Approval Application.
Yes. Teaching credit is awarded as an incentive for paralegals to enhance or benefit the legal profession by teaching other paralegals. Accordingly, teaching must be in association with an accredited CPE program. Complete the application for Approval of Teaching Credit (insert link) and mail it to:
Board of Paralegal Certification
P.O. Box 208
Columbia, SC 29202
Portions of this text are used with permission of The North Carolina State Bar.