INSTRUCTIONS FOR PETITIONERS FOR INACTIVE STATUS
Procedure
The petition must be reviewed and approved by the Board of Paralegal Certification (the
“board”). The board meets quarterly in February, May, August, and November of each year.
Instructions for Completing and Filing Petition
1. Print or type the petition. Complete, date, and sign the petition to acknowledge that you
have read and understand the statements on the petition.
2. The petition must be postmarked on or before your current renewal date to avoid
lapse of your certification. You may not petition the board for inactive status after your
renewal date or after your certification has lapsed.
3. Mail the petition to:
Director
NC State Bar Board of Paralegal Certification
P.O. Box 25908
Raleigh, NC 27611
Keep a copy of your petition for your records.
4. Following the board meeting at which your petition is reviewed, you will receive
notification informing you if your request for inactive status has been approved by the
board via email (or mail) to the address in our records.
Effect of Inactive Status
The period of inactive status shall be one year
from the designated renewal date. On or before
expiration of inactive status, a paralegal on inactive status must file a petition for (continued)
inactive status or seek reinstatement to active status by filing a renewal application. Failure to
petition for continued inactive status or renewal each year shall result in lapse of certification.
A paralegal may be inactive for not more than a total of five (5) consecutive years. During a
period of inactive status, a paralegal is not required to pay the renewal fee or to complete
continuing paralegal education. During a period of inactive status, a paralegal cannot represent
that he or she is a North Carolina certified paralegal.
To be reinstated as a certified paralegal, the paralegal must petition the board for reinstatement
by filing a renewal application prior to the expiration of the inactive status period and must pay
the annual renewal fee. If the paralegal was inactive for a period of two (2) consecutive
calendar years or more, the paralegal must complete 12 hours of credit in board approved
continuing paralegal education, or its equivalent, during the year prior to the filing of the petition.
Of the 12 hours, at least 2 hours shall be devoted to the areas of professional responsibility or
professionalism or any combination thereof.
If you do not file your renewal application for reinstatement to active status or petition for
continued inactive status prior to the annual renewal date, your certification will lapse. To be
certified again, you will need to reapply and comply with all the certification requirements,
including passage of the certification exam.
