Limited License Legal Technicians
Career summary
Limited license legal technicians assist clients in navigating the legal system.Limited license legal technicians assist clients in legal matters. In addition to all the duties of paralegals, technicians can give clients legal advice and help with court documents. They can practice independently, or as an owner or employee of a law firm. Technicians are not licensed to represent clients in court or during negotiations.
Related careers
This career is part of the Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security cluster of careers.
Related careers include:
Education and training
Educational programs
The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.
Programs of study directly related to this occupation
Other programs of study to consider
Training
To work as a limited license legal technician, you need to:
- have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
- have an associate degree or higher; and
- complete 45-credits of an approved Legal Technician program; and
- complete three quarters of online coursework relating to practice area; and
- complete experience requirements.
Education after high school
In a paralegal associate degree program you take courses on law and legal research techniques. You also learn about real estate, family law, contracts, and criminal law. The limited license legal technician core curriculum also teaches you how to do legal research, writing and analysis, civil procedures, law and legal process, legal interviewing and investigation, law office procedures and technology, and professional responsibilities needed when practicing law. In addition to the paralegal training, one year of advanced courses in practice law is required.
On-the-job training
Legal technicians must complete experience requirements to be licensed. These requirements can be met by working as a paralegal or legal assistant in a law office. Experience can be completed before, during or after core educational training.
Helpful high school courses
In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements .
You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.
Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:
Business Law
Computer Applications
Consumer Law
Law Studies
Legal System
The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.
You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.
Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.
Things to know
- Washington State is currently the only state in the nation licensing this class of legal professionals to address legal assistance for underserved individuals.
- There are a number of colleges offering the core curriculum: Edmonds, Highline, Tacoma, and Whatcom. More are expected to offer the core program in the future.
- At this time limited license legal technicians are able to practice family law. This is expected to change with other practice areas becoming available.
- Technicians are in demand due to the high cost of legal advice.
- Earnings reported by practicing technicians are on a par with other legal professionals in their part of the state.
Licensing/certification
To become a Limited License Legal Technician you must have:
- an associates degree in any subject;
- 45 credit-hours in legal studies at a law school approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) or LLLT Board or ABA approved paralegal program;
- good moral character (two character certificates are required);
- three quarters of practice area curriculum offered online from the University of Washington
- successful passage of the Paralegal Core Competency, LLLT Practice Area and a Professional Responsibility (ethics) examinations;
- a background check; and
- 3,000-hours of legal experience under the direct supervision of a licensed attorney. Experience may be obtained up to three years before licensing but not more than 40 months after passing the practice area examination.
The Paralegal Core Competency Examination is administered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations. The cost including the processing fee is $275 for non-members. For details on this exam contact:
National Federation of Paralegal Associations
9100 Purdue Road, Ste. 200
Indianapolis, IN 46268
The LLLT Practice Area and Professional Responsibility Exams cost $300 and are administered by the Washington State Bar Association.
Washington State Bar Association
Licensed Legal Technician
1325 4th Avenue, Suite 600
Seattle WA 98101-2539
800.945.9722
Other resources
321 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60654
312.988.5000
Become a Legal Technician
National Federation of Paralegal Associations
3502 Woodview Trace, Ste. 300
Indianapolis, IN 46268
847.686.2247
Washington State Bar Association
1325 Fourth Avenue, Suite 600
Seattle, WA 98101
800.945.9722
206.443.9722
360.357.2136
Washington State Paralegal Association
PO Box 58530
Seattle, WA 98138
206.623.8632
References
Career cluster
Career path
- Conventional (Business Operations)
O*Net job zone
Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.
Strong Interest Inventory
- Paralegal
Holland occupational cluster
- Conventional/Investigative/Enterprising
COPSystem
- Business Professional
- Communication