Paralegal in Oregon
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for OR
How to Become a Paralegal in Oregon
To become a Licensed Paralegal (LP) in Oregon, individuals must be licensed by the Oregon State Bar. Applicants need to meet foundational education or experience requirements, such as an associate's or bachelor's degree, a J.D., national paralegal certification, or extensive paralegal experience. Additionally, 20 hours of pre-licensure professional education and 1,500 hours of substantive paralegal experience (750 hours for J.D. holders) within 18-36 months prior to application are mandatory. The process includes a Portfolio Assessment and an LP Entry Exam covering legal ethics and the scope of the LP license. LPs are authorized to provide limited legal services in family and landlord-tenant law.
Paralegal Requirements in Oregon
| Detail | Oregon |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Oregon State Bar |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Associate degree in paralegal studies, a bachelor's degree in any discipline, a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) law degree, a national paralegal certification, extensive paralegal experience (5 years full-time or 7,500 hours), or an approved education waiver. Additionally, 20 hours of pre-licensure professional education are required within 18 months prior to licensure. |
| Experience Required | 1,500.0 hours |
| Exam | LP Entry Exam (multiple-choice, covering legal ethics/professional responsibility and scope of LP license) and Portfolio Assessment |
| Notes | Oregon established a Licensed Paralegal (LP) program in January 2024, allowing individuals to provide limited legal services directly to the public in specific practice areas (family law and landlord-tenant law). Applicants must be at least 18 years old and demonstrate character and fitness. LPs are subject to the same regulatory framework as Oregon lawyers, including malpractice insurance requirements. Reciprocity is not specified. |
Source: Oregon State Bar
Paralegal Salary in Oregon
The median paralegal salary in Oregon is $63,970 per year, which is 4.9% above the national median of $61,010.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $47,840 |
| 25th | $53,780 |
| 50th (median) | $63,970 |
| 75th | $79,720 |
| 90th (experienced) | $99,780 |
Oregon employs approximately 4,910 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 Oregon Worth It?
Factors to consider: Oregon's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.