Paralegal in Tennessee

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for TN. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$55,270

trending_down -9.4% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Tennessee.

engineering

5,890

Jobs (TN)

monitoring Stable

+0.2%

10-yr job growth

schedule

Varies (e.g., 12 months for some online courses, 14 weeks for others)

Time to complete

route How to become a paralegal in Tennessee

In Tennessee, there is no mandatory state licensing or certification for paralegals; regulation is primarily through the supervising attorney. However, voluntary national certification is available through organizations like the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). To become a NALA Certified Paralegal (CP), individuals must meet specific education and experience requirements and pass the comprehensive CP Exam. Paralegal certification is recognized nationwide, offering flexibility for professionals.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $37,810

25th percentile $46,350

50th (median) $55,270

75th percentile $63,860

90th (experienced) $76,510

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Tennessee. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Tennessee requirements

Licensing body	National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) for voluntary certification; no state licensing body
State license	Not required
Education	Varies based on certification path: ABA-approved paralegal program; or associate's degree in paralegal studies; or bachelor's degree in any field plus one year of experience or 15 semester hours of paralegal courses; or high school diploma/GED plus five years of experience and 20 hours of continuing legal education within two years of application.
Exam	Certified Paralegal (CP) Exam
Renewal	Every 5.0 years
Continuing education	50.0 hours per cycle
Notes	There is no mandatory state licensing or certification required to work as a paralegal in Tennessee. Regulation is through the supervising attorney. Voluntary certification is available through national organizations like NALA. Minimum age of 18 and a high school diploma or GED are generally recommended for paralegal programs.

Source: National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) for voluntary certification; no state licensing body

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+0.2%

Average

Annual openings

39,300

Nationwide per year

Total employment

376,200

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 1.29/1.00

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
warningElevated AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a paralegal career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a paralegal in Tennessee? expand_more

To become a paralegal in Tennessee, you need to complete the required education (Varies based on certification path: ABA-approved paralegal program; or associate's degree in paralegal studies; or bachelor's degree in any field plus one year of experience or 15 semester hours of paralegal courses; or high school diploma/GED plus five years of experience and 20 hours of continuing legal education within two years of application.), and pass the Certified Paralegal (CP) Exam.

Is a state license required for paralegals in Tennessee? expand_more

No state license is needed to work as a paralegal in Tennessee. Note: There is no mandatory state licensing or certification required to work as a paralegal in Tennessee. Regulation is through the supervising attorney. Voluntary certification is available through national organizations like NALA. Minimum age of 18 and a high school diploma or GED are generally recommended for paralegal programs.

How much do paralegals make in Tennessee? expand_more

Tennessee paralegals bring home a median salary of $55,270. — 9% under the $61,010 national average. Wages range from $37,810 (10th percentile) up to $76,510 (90th percentile).

How quickly can I become a paralegal in Tennessee? expand_more

In Tennessee, becoming a paralegal generally takes Varies (e.g., 12 months for some online courses, 14 weeks for others), accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

What are the continuing education requirements for paralegals in Tennessee? expand_more

Tennessee requires 50.0 hours of continuing education every 5.0 years to maintain your paralegal license.