HowToGetLicensed

Paralegal License: California vs North Carolina

Thinking about getting your paralegal license? Here's how California and North Carolina compare on education requirements, exam fees, total costs, and renewal obligations.

Requirement California North Carolina
Education Hours 900 hours 720 hours
Exam NALA CP or NFPA RP NALA CP or NFPA RP
Application Fee $0 $0
Exam Fee $250 $250
Total Estimated Cost $14,500 - $15,500 $7,500 - $8,500
Renewal Period Every 5 years Every 5 years
CE Hours 50 hours 50 hours
Renewal Fee $0 $0

Which State Is Easier or Cheaper?

Lower cost: North Carolina is the more affordable option, with an average total cost of $7,500-$8,500 compared to $14,500-$15,500.

Fewer education hours: North Carolina requires 720 hours of pre-license education, compared to 900 hours in California.

Full State Guides

Compare paralegal requirements across all 50 states →