Paralegal in North Dakota
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for ND. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, North Dakota.
Jobs (ND)
10-yr job growth
Time to complete
route How to become a paralegal in North Dakota
To become a paralegal in North Dakota, there is no mandatory state licensing or certification. Regulation is primarily through the supervising attorney. While not required, aspiring paralegals can meet suggested guidelines by graduating from an ABA-approved paralegal program, completing a non-ABA approved program with specific credit hours, holding a bachelor's degree with relevant paralegal coursework or experience, or successfully completing a national certifying examination.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for North Dakota. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist North Dakota requirements
| Licensing body | No state licensing body; regulation is through the supervising attorney. |
| State license | Not required |
| Education | One of the following: graduation from an ABA-approved paralegal program; graduation from a non-ABA approved paralegal program (minimum 60 semester credit hours, 18 of which are substantive paralegal courses); a bachelor's degree in any field plus one year of employer training or 18 semester credit hours of substantive paralegal courses; or successful completion of a national certifying examination for paralegals that includes continuing legal education for maintenance of certification; or seven years of experience working as a paralegal under the supervision of a lawyer. |
| Exam | No state-mandated exam; national certifications are voluntary (e.g., NALA's CLA/CP, NFPA's PACE/PCCE). |
| Notes | There is no mandatory state licensing or certification required to work as a paralegal in North Dakota. Regulation is through the supervising attorney. Voluntary certification is available through national organizations like NALA (National Association of Legal Assistants) and NFPA (National Federation of Paralegal Associations). The North Dakota Supreme Court Rule 5.3 provides guidelines for paralegal qualifications. |
Source: No state licensing body; regulation is through the supervising attorney.
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