After the Exam

Once you've done the work, you'll be eager to find out how you did. Here's what you can expect after you've taken the exam. 

Getting Your Results

Exams are scored by our independent consultant ― Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO) ― who provide each candidate a pass or not-pass exam report that indicates, by percentage, how well you did in each subject area.

Once the exams are scored by HumRRO, ALA’s Certification Center processes the individual notifications. All notifications are mailed to the candidates at their preferred address.

In all, it takes about four to six weeks after the exam date to receive notification. All exam and applicant information is handled with the strictest confidentiality. Scores are provided to examinees only. ALA endeavors to maintain strict confidentiality of all test results.

Address Change

Your examination score report will be sent to the preferred address you provided on the application unless the CLM Certification Center is notified otherwise. Email all changes of address to [email protected].

Passing Score Determination

The passing score for the CLM exam will be determined using an Angoff Method-based criterion-referencing process. This process is the standard in the certification industry. It helps to ensure that a test’s passing score reflects an absolute performance standard that stays the same, regardless of how well or poorly a particular group of examinees performs on a given administration of the test. Each year the Certification Committee reviews the exam to ensure the accuracy and currency of the content.

Certification Certificate

When you pass the exam, an electronic certificate, which displays that you earned the CLM designation, will be emailed to you approximately two to three weeks after you receive your exam results.

ALA Release Form: Notification of Your Achievement When You Pass

Before the exam, you will be asked to complete a Release Form that will inform ALA of who you would like notified that you have passed the exam (e.g., your immediate supervisor or your firm’s managing partner). These notifications are only sent when you pass the exam.

Failure to Pass the Exam

If you do not pass the exam, you will receive an email notification that includes an exam report detailing how you did in each subject by percentage of correct answers.

By identifying your strengths and weaknesses, this report can be helpful should you decide to undertake further study initiatives and/or retake the exam.

Remember: You can retake the exam two times within 48 months from the date of your application. To sign up to retake the exam, send a request to [email protected] before the application deadline for the exam date of your choice and pay the retake fee.

Denial and Revocation of Certification

Certification will be denied or revoked if a candidate does not pass the examination or if there is evidence of misrepresentation of qualifications, falsification or cheating. Failure to pay maintenance fees or meet recertification requirements will also cause the designation to be revoked.

Those whose designation has been revoked for any reason may no longer represent themselves as Certified Legal Managers or use the CLM acronym.

Important Exam Policies

Maximum Time Period to Take the Exam

The CLM examination is administered online twice per year. Candidates must take their initial and all retake exams with forty-eight (48) months from the date of their application. Thereafter, candidates must submit a new application with full fees.

Reschedule Policy

  1. Exams may be rescheduled by request to [email protected] a minimum of five (5) days prior to the scheduled test date.
  2. There is a fee to reschedule.

Retake Policy

  1. A candidate who does not pass the examination can retake the examination two (2) times within a four-year period.
  2. There is a fee for the second and third examinations.
  3. Candidates who wish to schedule an examination retake should contact [email protected] before the stated application deadline. They will be asked to pay the exam retake fee, provide letter of intent and a copy of their last exam report.

Re-Application Policy

After the third failed examination, or after forty-eight (48) months from the date of your initial application, the candidate who wishes to retake the examination will be required to reapply for the examination, meeting all employment, experience and education requirements as

  1. New educational documentation
  2. Full certification application and examination fees

Refund Policy

  1. If your application is not accepted, you will be refunded the examination fee less a processing fee.
  2. All other fees submitted for services are nonrefundable, including rescheduling and retake fees.

Requests for refund of the examination fee (minus the processing fee) must be emailed to the CLM Certification Center at [email protected]. Each request must contain the applicant’s full name, mailing address and test date. Refunds will be made only to the individual or organization that paid the exam fee. If the refund is to be payable to an organization, the organization’s tax identification number must be provided. Refunds will be credited or mailed approximately four to six weeks after the written refund request is received.

Exam Accommodations

ALA’s certification examination complies with the Americans With Disabilities Act regulations governing both facilities and administration. Applicants requiring special arrangements because of a disability must contact the CLM Certification Center at   [email protected] as soon as possible before the exam date.

All published application deadlines apply to applicants requesting special arrangements because of a disability. There is no additional fee for accommodation for applicants with disabilities.

Policy Statement

Persons designated as Certified Legal Manager are experienced administrators who have demonstrated knowledge of legal administration through successful completion of required coursework and passing an examination. The Association of Legal Administrators, its officers, directors and members do not guarantee or endorse the competence or character of persons who receive the designation of CLM.