the CLA exam is a nationally recognized certification but someone somewhere had to think it up and some paralegals had to be the first to take the plunge to take it and begin marketing their skills through it.  So I agree with Patrick, it won't be instanteous but someday it will be the "bar" to cross for professional abstractors.

Additionally, I think once the test has been given several times and the kinks worked out, I don't see any reason why those on the education committee won't be able to take it.  They can't all have been involved with every single question.  Should they be among the first to take it?  No, that wouldn't really help the viability of the test, but as people rotate on and off the committee, there should be a way for them to take a test without real forknowledge.

As to the online test, this is something I would personally be against.  Online testing, unless done with a professional proctor, would essentially be an open book test.  However, it do think eventually it will be possible to have the test done in more places than in recognized testing centers.  Someday, we will be large enough of an organization to have regional or even state chapters and testing could be done there under that entity's education committee.  How do we get large enough?  By having lots of benefits for our membership so they see the value.  This test is a major step in the right direction.  While not officially recognized by the industry as yet, it will certainly get people talking and I personally can't wait to have the title it conveys.  Which is one reason my hubby and I are still considering spending the money for me to attend in January.  The part of my brain that worries about all the money we're spending right now just isn't on board yet.

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