Paralegal in North Dakota
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for ND
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.
Paralegal Requirements in North Dakota
| Detail | North Dakota |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | No state licensing body; regulation is through the supervising attorney. |
| State License Required | No |
| 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.
Paralegal Salary in North Dakota
The median paralegal salary in North Dakota is $59,910 per year, which is 1.8% below the national median of $61,010.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $41,870 |
| 25th | $50,100 |
| 50th (median) | $59,910 |
| 75th | $71,030 |
| 90th (experienced) | $77,160 |
North Dakota employs approximately 610 paralegals.
Paralegal Job Outlook
AI Impact on Paralegals
High AI Exposure (Score: 1.29/1.00)
Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.
Is Becoming a Paralegal in North Dakota Worth It?
Factors to consider: North Dakota's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.