Paralegal in Illinois
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for IL. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Illinois.
Jobs (IL)
10-yr job growth
route How to become a paralegal in Illinois
To become a paralegal in Illinois, there are no mandatory state licensing or certification requirements. While formal education is not strictly required by the state, many employers prefer candidates with an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in paralegal studies or a related field, or a post-baccalaureate certificate, with ABA-approved programs being highly recommended. Voluntary national certifications, such as NALA's Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) or NFPA's Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE), are available and can enhance employment prospects, but are not required to practice. Paralegals in Illinois must always work under the supervision of a licensed attorney.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Illinois. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Illinois requirements
| Licensing body | No state licensing body; voluntary national certifications available |
| State license | Not required |
| Education | No mandatory state education requirements; employers often prefer an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in paralegal studies or a related field, or a post-baccalaureate certificate. ABA-approved programs are highly recommended. |
| Exam | No state exam; national exams available (e.g., NALA's Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) exam, NFPA's Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE)) |
| Notes | There is no mandatory state licensing or certification required to work as a paralegal in Illinois. Regulation is through the supervising attorney. Voluntary certification is available through national organizations like NALA and NFPA, which have their own education, experience, and examination requirements. Paralegals in Illinois must work under the supervision of an attorney and cannot provide legal advice. |
Source: No state licensing body; voluntary national certifications available
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.
balance Is it worth it?
- infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
- warningElevated AI disruption risk