Steps Toward a Paralegal Career in Florida

Follow the step by step process on how to become a paralegal below:

Fulfill Paralegal Education Requirements in Florida
Obtain Paralegal Work Experience in Florida
Become A Florida Registered Paralegal, If Desired
Begin Your Career as a Paralegal in Florida
Now That You’re a Paralegal in Florida

Paralegal Job Description in Florida

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has projected that between the years 2012 and 2020, job opportunities for paralegals in Florida will increase sharply. It is estimated that jobs for paralegals in Florida will increase by an average of 3.38 percent per year during this time, rising from 21,951 statewide in 2012 to 27,882 by 2020. This is a great time to become a paralegal in Florida. To discover how to do just that, read on.

Step 1

Paralegal Education Requirements in Florida

Under Florida law, paralegals do not have to meet any education standards in order to work in the state. However, most employers of Florida paralegals expect their employees to have education in legal assisting or paralegal studies.

Florida Paralegal Online and Campus Schools

Featured Programs:

Obtain Paralegal Work Experience in Florida

Most Florida paralegal education programs will require that you complete an internship as a student. This will provide you with work experience in the field. If your program does not offer this opportunity, you may seek volunteer work experience on your own. In Florida, options for volunteer work as a paralegal may be found at:

Bay Area Legal Services, Inc.- in the counties of Sarasota, Pinellas, Pasco, Manatee, and Hillsborough
Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc. – based in Gainesville and serving 17 Florida counties
Legal Services of North Florida, Inc.- Tallahassee
Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc.-Miami
Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc.-offices in West Palm, Punta Gorda, Lakeland, Ft. Pierce, Ft. Myers, and Belle Glade
Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Inc.-offices in Daytona Beach, Inverness, Ocala, Kissimmee, Orlando, Tavares, Sanford, and Palatka
Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida, Inc. -Plantation

Step 3

Become A Florida Registered Paralegal, If Desired

The Florida Bar has started a Florida Registered Paralegal program, which is not mandatory but is an option for paralegals in Florida. Registration as a paralegal in Florida is strictly voluntary and not required, but if you decide to register, you might find more employers in the state willing to hire you. In order to register, you must meet one of the following educational criteria or certification criteria:

Educational criteria:

Hold a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies from an ABA-approved program and one year of paralegal work experience
Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in any field from an accredited school and three years of paralegal work experience
Hold an associate’s degree in paralegal studies from an ABA-approved program and two years of paralegal work experience
Hold an associate’s degree in any field from an accredited school and four years of paralegal work experience
Hold a Juris doctorate degree from an ABA-accredited school and one year of paralegal experience

Certification criteria:

Complete the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations
Complete the Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal exam by the National Association of Legal Assistants

To apply to become a Florida Registered Paralegal, complete this application and mail it along with the $145 fee and supporting documentation to The Florida Bar, Florida Registered Paralegal, 651 East Jefferson St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-2325.

Step 4

Begin Your Career as a Paralegal in Florida

Paralegals in Florida have many options when it comes to choosing a workplace. From law groups to corporations to nonprofit organizations, paralegals are in demand in Florida. Examples of potential employers of Florida paralegals include:

Walt Disney Parks & Resorts- Orlando
City of Riviera Beach – Riviera Beach
Butler and Hosch – Orlando
Wounded Warrior Project – Jacksonville
Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A. – Bonita Springs
State Farm – Jacksonville
Wicker Smith O’Hara McCoy & Ford, P.A. – Miami
Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP – Fort Lauderdale

FIND SCHOOLS

Now That You’re a Paralegal in Florida

Congratulations! You are now a paralegal working in the sunshine state! You might want to consider joining an optional, voluntary membership organization such as the ones below. They can help put you in touch with continuing legal education, networking opportunities, and more: