PCCE Exam Format | PCCE Course Contents | PCCE Course Outline | PCCE Exam Syllabus | PCCE Exam Objectives

The format of the PCC Exam follows the proven structure
of NFPAs Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE).

The exam:

- is two and one-half hours in length;

- consists of 125 multiple choice questions;

- is computer administered with instant
preliminary results, followed by official scoring
run results provided at least quarterly;

- is widely available at many testing centers with
examinations given Monday – Friday, and in
some locations, weekends and evenings;

- consists of two domains:

~ Paralegal Practice – 52%

~ Substantive Areas of Law – 48%

- is based on information from coursework in various
paralegal programs and basic knowledge all
paralegals should possess as well as actual skills
considered essential to basic paralegal competency;

- is also a test of paralegal ethics, legal technology and
key terminology

to provide the groundwork for expanding paralegal
roles and responsibilities;

- to provide the public and legal community with
a mechanism to gauge the core competencies of
paralegals;

- to be used in states considering the regulation of
paralegals; and

- to be used by paralegal programs as an exit exam
or Assurance of Learning tool.

Bachelors degree in any subject, plus a paralegal certificate;

no experience or CLE required; OR

- Bachelors degree in paralegal studies; no experience or
CLE required; OR

- Bachelors degree in any subject, no paralegal certificate,
6 months experience and 1 hour of ethics taken in the year
preceding the exam application date; OR

- Associates degree in paralegal studies, no experience or
CLE required; OR

- Associates degree in any subject, a paralegal certificate,
no experience or CLE; OR

- Associates degree in any subject, no paralegal certificate,
1 year experience and 6 hours of CLE, including 1 hour of
ethics taken in the year preceding the exam application date; OR

- Paralegal certificate from a program that meets or exceeds
the requirements set forth in NFPAs Short Term Paralegal
Program Position Statement, 1 year experience and 6 hours of
CLE, including 1 hour of ethics, taken in the year preceding
the exam application date; OR

- Active, duty, retired or former military personnel qualified
in a military operation specialty as a paralegal and 1.0 hour of
ethics CLE within the year preceding the exam application; OR

- Candidates who are within two months of graduating and
registered for the PCC Exam by a Director of a paralegal
studies program participating in the PCCE Assurance of
Learning (AoL) Program at the Partner level; OR

- High school diploma or GED, 5 years experience and 12 hours
of CLE, including 1 hour of ethics, taken within 2 years
preceding the exam application date.


Complete Topics covered in QAs.
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- Legal Terminology, Legal Research, and Legal Writing
- Legal Terminology: Understanding and correctly using legal terms and phrases.
- Examples:
- stare decisis
- res judicata
- voir dire
- subpoena
- tort
- jurisdiction
- liability
- negligence

- Legal Research: Knowledge of research methods and resources.
- Primary vs. secondary sources.
- Use of legal databases
- Westlaw
- LexisNexis
- Citation formats
- Bluebook
- ALWD

- Legal Writing: Drafting legal documents and correspondence.
- Types of legal documents:
- pleadings
- motions
- briefs
- memoranda
- contracts
- correspondence

- Ethics and Professional Practice
- Ethical Rules and Guidelines: Understanding the ethical obligations of paralegals.
- Key concepts:
- confidentiality
- conflicts of interest
- unauthorized practice of law (UPL)
- attorney-client privilege

- NFPA Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility.
- State-specific ethical rules and guidelines.
- Professional Responsibility: Role of the paralegal in the legal team.
- Maintaining client confidentiality.
- Avoiding conflicts of interest.
- Proper billing practices and timekeeping

- Legal Technology and Office Administration
- Legal Technology: Use of technology in legal practice.
- Case management software
- Clio
- MyCase
- E-discovery tools and techniques.
- Document management systems.
- Electronic filing (e-filing) systems.

- Office Administration: Managing law office operations.
- File organization and management.
- Calendaring and docketing deadlines.
- Client intake procedures.
- Billing and accounting practices.

- Civil Litigation
- Litigation Process: Understanding the stages of civil litigation.
- Pre-trial:
- pleadings
- discovery
- motions
- settlement negotiations

Trial:
- trial preparation
- courtroom procedures
- evidence presentation

- Post-trial: appeals and enforcement of judgments.
- Key Documents and Procedures:
- Drafting complaints
- answers
- motions.

- Discovery tools:
- interrogatories
- depositions
- requests for production
- Subpoenas and witness preparation.

- Terminologies:
- Summons
- complaint
- answer
- default judgment
- motion to dismiss
- summary judgment

- Substantive Law
- Areas of Law: Basic understanding of key areas of substantive law.
- Contracts:
- Formation
- breach
- remedies

- Torts:
- Negligence
- intentional torts
- strict liability

- Real Property:
- Ownership
- transfers
- leases

- Criminal Law:
- Elements of crimes
- defenses
- procedures

- Family Law:
- Divorce
- custody
- support

- Business Organizations:
- Corporations
- partnerships
- LLCs

- Terminologies:
- Consideration
- breach of contract
- negligence per se
- fee simple
- mens rea
- actus reus
- alimony
- joint venture