Legal Education in Rhode Island

Law schools, paralegal programs, certifications, bar exam resources, and continuing education in Rhode Island.

Law Schools

ABA-accredited JD programs in Rhode Island

Roger Williams University School of Law

Rhode Island's only law school — ABA-accredited since 1997. Emphasizes experiential learning, public interest law, and marine law. The lowest-priced private ABA-accredited law school in the Northeast.

Paralegal Programs

Accredited paralegal education and certificate programs

Roger Williams University — Professional Legal Studies

Bristol, Rhode Island·ABA-Approved

Rhode Island's only ABA-approved paralegal program (since 1988). Offers AS, BS, and post-baccalaureate certificates — available in-person, hybrid, or fully online.

Roger Williams University — Paralegal Studies Certificate

Bristol, Rhode Island·ABA-Approved

ABA-approved post-baccalaureate certificate for career changers — practice-oriented curriculum covering civil litigation, legal research, criminal law, and alternative dispute resolution.

Court Reporter & Captioning Programs

Stenography, digital reporting, and real-time captioning training

Community College of Rhode Island — Court Reporting Certificate

Warwick, Rhode Island

Five-semester evening certificate program — stenotype machine shorthand, legal and medical terminology, CART, captioning, and computer-aided transcription. Target speed of 225 WPM at 95% accuracy.

CCRI — Digital Court Reporter Training

Online digital court reporter program covering legal proceedings, laws, ethics, and digital recording technology — preparing students for the AAERT certification exam.

Mediator & ADR Certification

Alternative dispute resolution training and qualified neutral roster

Center for Mediation & Collaboration Rhode Island (CMCRI)

Rhode Island's primary ADR organization — recognized by the RI District Court and government agencies. Provides mediation services, customized training programs, and workshops in constructive dialogue.

Legal Nurse Consulting

Certification programs for RNs providing litigation support

American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC)

National professional organization offering the LNCC certification — the only legal nurse consultant credential accredited through ABSNC. Available to RNs nationwide via online programs.

Vickie Milazzo Institute — CLNC Certification

Online 40-hour CLNC Certification Program — the industry standard for legal nurse consulting, with monthly mentoring included for the duration of certification.

Notary Public Certification

How to become a notary public in Rhode Island

Rhode Island Secretary of State — Notary Public

Official notary public portal. Requirements: 18+, RI resident or place of business in-state, pass Knowledge Assessment (80%+ score), two resident endorsements, and $80 fee. Four-year commission.

Rhode Island Secretary of State — New Commission Application

Step-by-step application instructions — review the notary manual and updated Standards of Conduct, complete the Knowledge Assessment, and mail the application with endorsements.

Bar Admission & Exam

Pathways to becoming a licensed attorney in Rhode Island

Rhode Island Supreme Court — Bar Admission

Administers Rhode Island bar admission through the Supreme Court. Rhode Island uses the UBE with a minimum passing score of 270 — MPRE score of 80 required. Limit of 5 UBE attempts.

Continuing Legal Education (CLE)

Requirements for licensed Rhode Island attorneys

Rhode Island MCLE Commission

Official CLE information — attorneys must complete 10 CLE credits annually, including 2 ethics and 1 DEI credit (effective 2025). Minimum 4 credits must be live programs. Compliance deadline: June 30.

Legal Secretary & Legal Assistant Programs

Certificate and degree programs for legal support professionals

Roger Williams University — Paralegal Programs

Bristol, Rhode Island

ABA-approved paralegal programs at RWU's School of Continuing Studies — multiple degree and certificate options for aspiring legal support professionals in Rhode Island.

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