Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Paralegal?
What are the membership requirements to join BCPA?
What are the benefits?
How do I become a “CERTIFIED” paralegal?
I’m thinking of becoming a paralegal – can you tell me which school is recognized by the BCPA and provides the best training?
I live outside of the Lower Mainland – is there any good training here or online?
What are my employment prospects once I graduate from a Paralegal program?
How can I hire a paralegal?
Are contract positions an option in this industry?
Are there self-employment opportunities vs. being hired?
What can I expect as a salary?
What is the difference between the terms "Paralegal", "Legal Assistant", and “Legal Administrative Assistant"?
My Capilano Certificate / Diploma reads “Legal Assistant” – can this be updated to reflect current industry terms?
What criteria should I consider when looking for employment?
I am a paralegal moving to BC, will my out of province credentials be accepted and what are my employment prospects?
I have been a legal secretary for over 20 years and would like to know how to go about getting paralegal certification
What is the scope of a paralegal’s work?
Are there services one could provide to realtors just being a paralegal or do you need to be a lawyer or notary?
Is this a growth industry?
What progress is being made with respect to paralegals practicing independently in BC?
Could a British qualified lawyer with 20 years experience be able to work as a paralegal in BC?
Please send me information on Legal Secretary and Paralegal training.
I am thinking of moving to Alberta and was wondering if my skills are transferable there? (I know that the law is different, but just wondering what information you have in this regard.)
What does the BCPA offer to paralegals outside Vancouver?
What is a “BCPA Registered Paralegal”
Can I Use the Title “BCPA Registered Paralegal"?
How am I supposed to use the title “BCPA Registered Paralegal"?
Does BCPA Registered Paralegal compare to Designated Paralegal?

Paralegals have legal training and knowledge that enable them to prepare legal documents and conduct research subject to the general supervision of lawyers or other professionals, since paralegals have the ability to work in legal departments throughout the public and private sectors. 

The Law Society of British Columbia Paralegal Task Force provides the following definition:  "A paralegal is a non-lawyer employee who is competent to carry out legal work that, in the paralegal’s absence, would need to be done by the lawyer.”  While quite specific, this definition allows some flexibility.  

However, it does not extend to those who perform an occasional paralegal task or by virtue of experience, performs a task that is so much of a "procedure" that it becomes more "rote".

For full details please see the Membership page of the BCPA website.

For full details please see the Benefits page of the BCPA website.

There is no certification regime in British Columbia. If you wish to set yourself apart, the best way to do this is by obtaining paralegal training from a reputable university or college, distinguishing yourself through the quality of your work and by participating in an association of your peers such as the BC Paralegal Association. Membership does not mean you are ‘certified’, however voting membership is meaningful in that it means that you have met specific criteria to qualify.

The BCPA does not recommend any program or institute over another. It is important for a student to make that decision for themselves based on their individual needs.

Currently, the BCPA accepts, for the purposes of a student membership, individuals enrolled in a paralegal program at Capilano University, University of the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Community College. Graduates of those programs can then transfer their memberships to voting memberships. The reason for this acceptance and endorsement is the length of experience the BCPA has had with these educational institutions, including the many years these programs have been in place, the caliber of the graduates and the quality of the programs and their instructors.

Our endorsed institutions, Capilano University, University of the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Community College may have online courses however it’s best to visit the school website or contact the schools directly for more information. There may be some varying entrance requirements to the Paralegal programs at each of these institutes.

Demand for qualified paralegals continues to be high and there are many opportunities for graduates to find employment, subject to the area of law. Sources for job posting include the BCPA career portal newspaper classified ads, employment agencies and government ministry websites (i.e. Department of Justice, Ministry of the Attorney General of British Columbia).

If you are a lawyer, law firm or legal department wishing to hire a paralegal, the BCPA offers a job posting service to our membership on our website with email notification for a fee, please contact us at info@bcparalegalassociation.com

If you are a business or individual wishing to hire a paralegal, please note that the Law Society of British Columbia does not permit legal services to be offered without the supervision of a lawyer. Unlike some other jurisdictions, BC does not yet license paralegals. If you require legal advice or assistance with specialized legal matters, please consult with a lawyer.

Yes, and a very viable option. Many employers in the legal field have a need for experienced paralegals to perform contract work for maternity leaves, special projects or for a job share position. The benefit of contract work, aside from the fact that it allows you to get a foot in the door, is that it gives a Paralegal the flexibility to move from employer to employer. Contractors gain valuable insight into various firms, legal departments or ministries without having to commit to a position full-time. At the end of a contract, if the employer is satisfied with your work and there is a need, it is possible to receive an offer of permanent employment. 

Any contract work must comply with Chapter 6 of the Code of Professional Conduct for British Columbia (Law Society of British Columbia) – meaning that all work must be done under the supervision of a lawyer.  Accordingly paralegal contractors must always work for lawyers.

The Law Society’s “Innovation Sandbox” may allow for paralegals to perform work on their own and without the supervision of a lawyer. The parameters of the program are fluid, but it does open the door for paralegals to provide legal services as self-employed individuals. You can read more on the Law Society’s website but it requires a plan of all of the legal services you wish to provide as part of your application.

As we also know that in 2018 the BC Provincial Government amended the Legal Profession Act, to include Licensed Paralegals. At which time the Law Society of BC had a vote at the 2018 AGM to have the BC Government to further look at their Amendments.

In 2022, the BC Government then released their Intentions Paper to establish a single legal regulator for Lawyers, Notaries and Licensed Paralegals. There is still more work to move this process forward.

On March 10, 2023, the Benchers of the Law Society of BC unanimously resolved to ask the Government to bring into force the amendments to the Legal Profession Act (LPA) in Bill 57 – 2018 Attorney General Statutes Amendment Act, 2018 which would permit the licensing of paralegals. More so, if the Government approves the amendments to the LPA, the Law Society of BC will still need to determine rules, regulations and processes for the Licensing of Paralegals in consultation with the BCPA.

As more information is released with respect to licensing of paralegals in BC, we will post updates on the website and our social media platforms.

Salaries are based on many factors, such as education, years of experience, area of law, size of employer, hours worked and location (large city or regional) to name a few. The average range for a full-time Paralegal, working 35 - 40 hours a week with 1 or more years of experience is approximately $45k to $100k+ based on the factors described above.

BCPA Members receive a yearly salary survey which contains detailed information provided, anonymously, by voting members.

Paralegal - Education for Paralegals consists of more substantive legal coursework consistent with the greater paralegal job responsibilities.

Legal Administrative Assistant a.k.a. Legal Assistant - Education for Legal Administrative Assistants and Legal Assistants is generally training for legal administrative type positions.     

A paralegal’s title and work is ultimately subject to the discretion of their employer.

Graduates of Capilano University’s Legal Assistant Programs (as the school and the program were then known) can now have their diplomas and certificates updated by the registrar for a standard fee. Further information about the process for applying is on Cap's FAQ page at https://www.capilanou.ca/current/transcripts-and-forms/.

Fundamentally, considerations for a paralegal job are the same as any other job you might look for:

• Do you want to work full-time or part-time?
• Do you want to work somewhere that has a specific dress code?
• Are you interested in a position that allows you to work from home or close to home or do enjoy commuting?
• Are you looking for specific benefits to be included (ex. Vision, health care spending account, parking/transportation, etc.)
• Do you want to work in a small, mid-size, or large firm?
• What kind of workspace do you need?

As far as benefits are concerned, you may want to review other job postings for paralegals and see what standard benefits are offered and compare them with what you’ve had at previous jobs. You’ll likely find that, above experience and skills, employers want to find the right “fit” for the position they are hiring. While the employer is evaluating you for your skills and experience and whether they fit with their criteria, you should also be evaluating the employer and consider whether what you are experiencing in your interview fits with what you’re looking for in a workplace. You are looking for whether an employer fits your criteria just as much as they are evaluating whether you fit their criteria.

Starting at a new firm is often challenging because of the sheer differences in office policies, procedures, and culture. If you’re not keen on having to start over, or if you find the job you have isn’t right for you, then pay attention to what you experience during the application, interview, and hiring process at other organizations. Similarly, employers aren’t keen to go through the hiring process over and over because it takes time and resources to find the right person. Ask to speak to any of the other paralegals, who work at the firm, to see what their experiences have been with that employer/firm. A good employer should want you to meet the team you’d be working with to make sure the team thinks you’re a suitable fit and that you feel good about the team as well.

Fundamentally, considerations for a paralegal job are the same as any other job you might look for:

• Do you want to work full-time or part-time?
• Do you want to work somewhere that has a specific dress code?
• Are you interested in a position that allows you to work from home or close to home or do enjoy commuting?
• Are you looking for specific benefits to be included (ex. Vision, health care spending account, parking/transportation, etc.)
• Do you want to work in a small, mid-size, or large firm?
• What kind of workspace do you need?

As far as benefits are concerned, you may want to review other job postings for paralegals and see what standard benefits are offered and compare them with what you’ve had at previous jobs. You’ll likely find that, above experience and skills, employers want to find the right “fit” for the position they are hiring. While the employer is evaluating you for your skills and experience and whether they fit with their criteria, you should also be evaluating the employer and consider whether what you are experiencing in your interview fits with what you’re looking for in a workplace. You are looking for whether an employer fits your criteria just as much as they are evaluating whether you fit their criteria.

Starting at a new firm is often challenging because of the sheer differences in office policies, procedures, and culture. If you’re not keen on having to start over, or if you find the job you have isn’t right for you, then pay attention to what you experience during the application, interview, and hiring process at other organizations. Similarly, employers aren’t keen to go through the hiring process over and over because it takes time and resources to find the right person. Ask to speak to any of the other paralegals, who work at the firm, to see what their experiences have been with that employer/firm. A good employer should want you to meet the team you’d be working with to make sure the team thinks you’re a suitable fit and that you feel good about the team as well.

The BCPA evaluates educational credentials for on a case-by-case basis for the purposes of conferring membership only. Whether a paralegal’s credentials are suitable for employment purposes is subject to a prospective employer’s discretion. BC employers typically look for relevant education, experience and familiarity with BC law and procedures. Canvas some of the legal employment agencies in Vancouver, check the local newspapers as well as the websites of government ministries (like the Attorney General's Office or Public Guardian, Department of Justice) to see where you might fit in.

As noted above, there are no “certified” paralegals in BC or any certification process. There are only paralegal programs that offer a certificate, diploma or degree, when one has successfully completed the respective program. Ultimately, it is your employer who decides whether the position you hold at a firm is a paralegal position and a large factor in determining this would be the level of responsibility and complexity associated of the tasks you perform.

Chapter 6 of the Code of Professional Conduct for British Columbia above will give you a good overview.   Visit the Law Society of British Columbia’s website for more information.  As well, the websites of the schools offering programs will provide you with this information.

The only service that a paralegal could provide to a realtor would be under the direction or supervision of a lawyer.

Generally, yes, depending where you live and what area of law you work in. The market for paralegals is not as extensive in smaller communities. In larger urban centres there are many positions available. For more information visit the Statistics Canada or Government Job Futures website. The general consensus in the legal community is there will be a shortage of paralegals in the years to come.

As we know that in 2018 the BC Provincial Government amended the Legal Profession Act, to include Licensed Paralegals. At which time the benchers of the Law Society of BC voted at the 2018 AGM to have the BC Government to further look at their Amendments.

Shortly thereafter, in or around 2021 the Law Society implemented the Innovation Sandbox, which enables legal professionals (beyond paralegals) to provide a proposal wherein the Law Society may grant a “no action” letter.

In 2022, the BC Government then released their Intentions Paper to set for a single regulator for Lawyers, Notaries and Licensed Paralegals. There is still more work to move this process forward.

On March 10, 2023, the Benchers of the Law Society of BC unanimously resolved to ask the Government to bring into force the amendments to the Legal Profession Act (LPA) in Bill 57 – 2018 Attorney General Statutes Amendment Act, 2018 which would permit the licensing of paralegals. The Government will need to consider whether to bring into force the amendments to the LPA in order for the Law Society of BC to grant licenses to paralegals. More so, should the amendments come into force, rules, regulations, and processes still need to be determined by the Law Society of BC in order to license a new class of legal service providers in consultation with the BC Paralegal Association.

While you likely have a wealth of experience, we cannot tell you what your employment prospects are. This is up to potential employers and would depend on whether that firm would be willing to train you in BC procedure and the area of law in which you are seeking employment. The BCPA does not evaluate credentials for the purposes of employment – only for the purposes of membership. We encourage you to consider becoming a member if you are seeking employment as a paralegal.

BCPA is an association of Paralegals, which is different from Legal Administrative Assistants a.k.a. Legal Assistants. We do not forward brochures on educational programs, however you will find that much of this is available online.

Many of your skills will be transferable (as is the case in most professions). Having said that, any employment opportunities will be dependent on employers and whether a firm will be able / willing to train you in Alberta procedure. You may want to canvas this issue with employers (maybe through employment agencies in the city you intend to move to).  Also, try the Alberta Paralegal Association; they may be able to give you further information. 

The BCPA Board of Directors is comprised of members from the Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Thompson and Okanagan regions. All BCPA members throughout the Province are offered the same benefits of membership including:

• Free professional development courses throughout the year;
• Preferred pricing on other organizations offering professional development including Continuing Legal Education of British Columbia and Trial Lawyers Association of BC;
• Regular notifications on employment opportunities posted on the BCPA website;
• Networking events in various regions of the Province;
• The “Paralegal Press” newsletter which is published 3 times yearly;
• BCPA’s annual salary survey of voting members (results available only to members only);
• A interactive website providing a chat function and membership directory;
• Social media accounts with LinkedIn, and Facebook;
• Special preferred rates with authorized hotels in Victoria and Vancouver;
• Special preferred rates with GoodLife Fitness;
• The trademarked “BCPA Registered Paralegal” designation is offered to voting members in good standing;

Please refer to the Membership Benefits page for further details on the benefits of membership.

BCPA Registered Paralegal is a new title that the BCPA is offering to voting members who wish to use the title. The title ‘BCPA Registered Paralegal’ is intended to help distinguish the voting members by increasing recognition of their BCPA affiliation, their unique membership qualifications and their skills as paralegals.

If you are a BCPA voting member and want to use the trademarked “BCPA Registered Paralegal” title, you can use the title immediately. Non-voting members under the Student, Affiliate or Corporate categories are not eligible to use the title.

You can add “BCPA Registered Paralegal” wherever you wish. If your workplace is agreeable, you can add it to your title. You can use the title on your resume, social media (LinkedIn) and other communications to show your unique qualifications and BCPA voting membership.

These are two completely different titles administered by different groups. They are not meant to compete with one another.

BCPA Registered Paralegal is reserved for voting members of the BCPA and is intended to indicate that you have the training and/or experience to qualify you to use the title. So long as you are a qualified registered voting member of the BCPA, you are eligible to use this title. You may use the title to define yourself professionally so long as you are a BCPA voting member in good standing.

BCPA Registered Paralegals are still subject to the supervision of a lawyer and no not have any extraordinary powers.

Designated Paralegals are ‘designated’ by their supervising lawyer(s) and have enhanced abilities as permitted by the Law Society of British Columbia. To become a ‘Designated Paralegal’, they must be designated as such by their supervising lawyers in order to provide enhanced services under the Designated program. Once a Designated Paralegal leaves the employment of their supervising lawyer, they must be designated by another supervising lawyer in order to use the title.

The two titles BCPA Registered Paralegal and Designated Paralegal can be used together provided that the paralegal using them is qualified for each and registered and designated as such by each respective program / association and at the discretion of their employer.

You can add ‘BCPA Registered Paralegal’ where ever you wish, provided that it is consistent with your work place practices and not contrary to workplace specific policies.

If you have a question please contact us at info@bcparalegalassociation.com