Requirements to become a paralegal?

In the state of California?

California's Business & Professions Code (搂搂6450, et seq.) sets forth the requirements for use of the paralegal title.

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A paralegal shall possess at least one of the following:
(1) A certificate of completion of a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association.
(2) A certificate of completion of a paralegal program at, or a degree from, a postsecondary institution that requires the successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester, or equivalent, units in law-related courses and that has been accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education.
(3) A baccalaureate degree or an advanced degree in any subject, a minimum of one year of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three years, and a written declaration from this attorney stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks.
(4) A high school diploma or general equivalency diploma, a
minimum of three years of law-related experience under the
supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three years, and a written declaration from this attorney stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks. This experience and training shall be completed no later than December 31, 2003.
(d) Every two years, commencing January 1, 2007, any person that is working as a paralegal shall be required to certify completion of four hours of mandatory continuing legal education in legal ethics and four hours of mandatory continuing legal education in either general law or in an area of specialized law. All continuing legal education courses shall meet the requirements of Section 6070. Certification of these continuing education requirements shall be
made with the paralegal's supervising attorney. The paralegal shall be responsible for keeping a record of the paralegal's certifications.

Get a couple years of school under your belt.

associate's degree.

Here is a link that has questions and answers.

Hope this helps.......

Work experience and/or a paralegal degree.

Most employers want someone that has at least 2 years of paralegal experience and a paralegal degree from an American Bar Association accredited institute.

ABA accredited institutes:
http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/para...

Overview of the paralegal position:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos114.htm