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Florida is a very popular area for law practices, which makes it an ideal place for paralegals to start their careers in the legal field.
There is an increasing demand for qualified paralegals throughout the country and in Florida.
This is the time to learn more about educational options and career potential for this lucrative career field.
Keep reading to learn more about the requirements and schools offering paralegal training programs in the state of Florida.
Article Table of Contents
Licensing Requirements to Become a Paralegal in Florida
The qualifications needed to become a certified paralegal in Florida differs from many other states in the country.
And potential candidates must take the ACP exam, which NALA offers.
After successfully passing the ACP exam, you can qualify to take the paralegal association of Florida exam.
After completing both exams, you are considered a Florida-certified paralegal.
Before you take the required exams, you will want to take a training course or program to help you learn the essentials of being a paralegal in Florida.
Instead of taking a formal training program, you may study under a licensed attorney for several years to get the training and experience necessary to qualify for the exams.
5 Paralegal Schools in Florida
Individuals considering a career as a paralegal will want to know what their education options are in Florida.
These institutions and programs represent the top five options in the state.
Florida Southwestern State College
This ABA-approved paralegal program covers all the information and training skills necessary to become a successful paralegal in Florida.
This program offers an associate of science and provides knowledge of all aspects of criminal law, real estate law, family law, and any other areas or parts of the law.
Once the programs are completed, students can take the NALA examination.
The 64-credit course lasts for two years. An internship is required after completing the coursework.
The in-state tuition for this program is $2436 per year.
The address for the college campus is 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33919.
The phone number for the admissions office is 239–489-9300.
Florida State College at Jacksonville
The paralegal program at Florida State College is ABA-approved and designed to provide students with an AS degree.
This program offers course instruction and an internship program with 180 hours of office internship.
The cost of tuition for this program is $2878 per year.
The location of this school’s campus is 101 W. State St., Jacksonville, FL 32202.
The phone number for the admissions office is 904–633–8100.
Miami-Dade College
The paralegal course at Miami Dade College is an ABA-approved in offers and asked degree for paralegal studies.
This program is 64 credits and takes two years to complete on average—individuals who take the scores on all of the skills and insight necessary to become successful paralegals.
The in-state tuition for the school is $2838 per year.
The location of the college is 300 N. E. 2nd Ave., Miami, FL 33132.
The phone number for the admissions office is 305–237–8888.
Nova Southeastern University
This university offers a BS program for paralegal studies, which is also ABA-approved.
The program covers all aspects of law and even focuses on criminal law procedures and civil litigation.
This four-year program includes hands-on education for individuals wanting to become paralegals in Florida.
The cost of tuition for full-time courses is $1150 per credit.
The location of the college is 3301 College Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33314.
The phone number for the admissions office is 800–5 41–6682.
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida has a BA or BS degree in legal studies.
And it is ideal for individuals wanting to study to become paralegals.
This four-year program focuses on all concepts of law and legal research.
The in-state tuition for this university is $6368 per year.
The location of the campus is 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816.
The phone number for the admissions office is 407–823-2000.
Paralegal Schools in Florida – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Florida Southwestern State College | 8099 College Pkwy, Fort Myers, FL 33919 |
| Florida State College at Jacksonville | 101 W State St, Jacksonville, FL 32202 |
| Miami-Dade College | 300 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33132 |
| Nova Southeastern University | 3301 College Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314 |
| University of Central Florida | 4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, FL 32816 |
Salary of Paralegals in Florida
The average salary for paralegals in Florida is $60,128 per year.
However, this figure can increase significantly depending on the experience of the paralegal, their skill sets, and their job location.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Jacksonville | $57,008 |
| Miami | $58,555 |
| Tampa | $57,249 |
| St. Petersburg | $57,261 |
| Hialeah | $58,103 |
| Orlando | $57,219 |
| Fort Lauderdale | $58,410 |
| Tallahassee | $54,554 |
| Hollywood | $58,410 |
| Pembroke Pines | $58,031 |
Regional Salary in Florida
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | 850 | $60,390 | $29.04 | $78,990 | $38,890 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | 290 | $54,850 | $26.37 | $76,980 | $33,490 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | 480 | $55,060 | $26.47 | $73,500 | $37,370 |
| Gainesville, FL | 340 | $49,860 | $23.97 | $72,800 | $29,780 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | 60 | $48,690 | $23.41 | $65,560 | $28,500 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 1,990 | $59,960 | $28.83 | $82,830 | $38,590 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | 500 | $54,760 | $26.33 | $73,430 | $37,210 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 12,420 | $66,140 | $31.8 | $93,750 | $40,240 |
| Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL | 420 | $61,610 | $29.62 | $83,290 | $45,630 |
| North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL | 940 | $58,660 | $28.2 | $77,960 | $39,080 |
| Ocala, FL | 300 | $53,630 | $25.79 | $65,010 | $37,300 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 5,640 | $57,270 | $27.53 | $77,500 | $38,040 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 630 | $59,440 | $28.58 | $78,310 | $38,010 |
| Panama City, FL | 190 | $50,910 | $24.48 | $66,220 | $32,200 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | 900 | $51,500 | $24.76 | $73,690 | $35,010 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 510 | $60,510 | $29.09 | $88,130 | $36,980 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | 120 | $54,330 | $26.12 | $72,680 | $33,430 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL | 150 | $58,170 | $27.97 | $77,980 | $38,410 |
| Sebring, FL | 40 | $51,990 | $24.99 | $62,350 | $35,660 |
| Tallahassee, FL | 830 | $53,060 | $25.51 | $75,300 | $34,280 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 6,260 | $65,440 | $31.46 | $88,050 | $41,770 |
| The Villages, FL | 50 | $53,310 | $25.63 | $78,040 | $34,420 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a paralegal in Florida?
The average length of time it takes students to become certified paralegals in Florida is approximately two years.
They may begin practicing as a certified paralegal once they pass the required exams.
Are paralegals required to have a degree to practice in Florida?
Paralegals are not required to have a degree if they want to practice as a paralegal.
However, it is extremely helpful for securing the top paralegal jobs in the state.
The only requirement to be a certified paralegal is passing the appropriate exams for both the state and the national certification.
What are the prerequisites for entering a training program to be a paralegal in the state of Florida?
Each school and training program for paralegal studies has its own prerequisites individuals must fulfill.
However, some basic prerequisites include being 18 or older and having a GED or high school diploma.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Paralegal
Paralegal Schools by State