PCCE Exam Information and Outline
Paralegal CORE Competency Exam
PCCE Exam Syllabus & Study Guide
Before you start practicing with our exam simulator, it is essential to understand the official PCCE exam objectives. This course outline serves as your roadmap, breaking down exactly which technical domains and skills will be tested. By reviewing the syllabus, you can identify your strengths and focus your study time on the areas where you need the most improvement.
The information below reflects the latest 2026 course contents as defined by Social-Work-Board. We provide this detailed breakdown to help you align your preparation with the actual exam format, ensuring there are no surprises on test day. Use this outline as a checklist to track your progress as you move through our practice question banks.
Below are complete topics detail with latest syllabus and course outline, that will help you good knowledge about exam objectives and topics that you have to prepare. These contents are covered in questions and answers pool of exam.
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