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Paralegal Licensing Process

Overview

The focus of the Paralegal Licensing Process is to ensure that candidates have demonstrated they possess the required entry-level competencies, in order to provide services effectively and in the public interest.

Professional competence is achieved through a combination of knowledge, skills, abilities and judgment. Prior to applying, it is strongly recommended that candidates review the Paralegal Licensing Process Policies and the Licensing Examination Rules and Protocol to familiarize themselves with relevant information.

Required Components

To qualify for admission to the Paralegal Licensing Process, an applicant must have graduated from a Law Society accredited Paralegal Education program.

  • Paralegal Licensing Examination
    The Paralegal Licensing Examination is a self-study, open-book, multiple-choice examination.

    The licensing examination assesses entry-level competencies of a paralegal's knowledge of substantive and procedural law and ethical and professional responsibilities that have the most direct impact on the protection of the public and that influence the provision of effective and ethical legal services.


    Learn more about the Paralegal Licensing Examination
  • Be of Good Character

    The Law Society Act requires that an applicant for admission as a licensee of the Law Society of Ontario be of good character. This is an ongoing requirement for applicants throughout their licensing term and up to the time of their licensure.

    Learn more about the Good Character Requirement.

  • Become Licensed

    Application for a P1 Licence

    To be eligible to apply for your P1 (Paralegal) Licence, you must successfully meet all requirements of the Licensing Process (including the Licensing Examination), have no Good Character issues, have paid all required fees and submitted all required documents.

    Once you are eligible to be licensed, the complete details of what you are required to submit in order to obtain your licence will be emailed to your Law Society web account by the Licensing Process, Licensing and Accreditation Department. You will be sent a document entitled "P1 Licensing Documents and Information". This information will not be posted online and will only be sent to the web accounts of candidates who have satisfied all requirements for licensing.

    Learn more about becoming licensed

Application Process

Prior to applying, applicants must read the following information which will provide them with a thorough understanding of the application process, how to submit the application for enrollment and the choices that need to be made:

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