One way to demonstrate your preparedness for the demanding field of law is by becoming an ALSŪ. This designation is awarded after passing a half day, three-part examination. Attaining this goal demonstrates your commitment and aptitude for succeeding in the ever changing legal environment.

The ALSŪ Examination:

demonstrates ability to perform business communication tasks

gauges ability to maintain office records and calendars, and prioritize multiple tasks when given real-life scenarios

measures understanding of office equipment and related procedures

denotes aptitude for understanding legal terminology, legal complexities, and supporting documents

assesses recognition of accounting terms in order to solve accounting problems, and

appraises knowledge of law office protocol as prescribed by ethical codes.

2. ALSŪ Examination Eligibility

To sit for the examination, you must have completed one of the following: an accredited secretarial course, the NALSŪ Legal Training Course, or one year of secretarial experience. Membership in NALS is not a requirement.

3. The Exam Covers

PART 1: Written Communications

PART 2: Office Procedures and Legal Knowledge

PART 3: Ethics, Human Relations, and Judgment

4. Examination Guidelines

All three parts of the examination must be taken on the first attempt. If you do not pass the entire examination on the first attempt, you may retake the examination parts you did not pass.  All failed partsmust be retaken at the same time.  You will be charged the full exam fee each time you sit.

Those passing the exam will receive a certificate which is valid for five years. Accreditation may be extended through continuing education, based on NALSŪ guidelines, for three additional one-year terms.

5. Examination Dates

March: First Saturday
June: First Saturday *
July:  In conjunction with the regional conferences held in July
September: Last Saturday
December: First Saturday *

6. Application Deadlines

March: Postmarked by January 1
June: Postmarked by April 15 *
July:  Postmarked by June 15
September: Postmarked by August 1
December: Postmarked by October 15 *

* June and December testing are for those who've completed the Basic or Advanced NALSŪ Legal Training Course.

7. Examination Fees

Full-time student -- $50
NALSŪ member (not a full-time student) -- $75
Nonmember (not a full-time student) -- $100

8. Transfer/Refund Policy

You may transfer your examination or retake fee once per payment; the fee, less a 25% processing fee, may be refunded if requested 30 days or more before the examination.  If the fee is transferred, no refund is then available for that payment.

9. Preparing for the Exam

ALS Resource Manual* -- the ALSŪ Resource Manual is designed to help you achieve the ALS designation. It contains information about the program, including an application to take the exam, an overview of the topics covered by each part, and the primary and secondary reference lists as additional study guides. The manual can be used for studying alone, with a study group, or by an instructor preparing lesson plans.

NALS Basic Legal Training Course -- Many state and local chapters sponsor the NALS Legal Training Course. This course emulates a classroom study style in preparing for the exam.