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The North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization (NC Board) has an alliance with The National Elder Law Foundation (NELF) to allow qualifying lawyers to take one examination in seeking certification by both organizations. Each program has its own experience, education, peer review and examination requirements. The NC Board uses the exam written and administered by NELF instead of writing its own exam. Grading and appeals are handled by NELF.

North Carolina lawyers may be certified as specialists by both organizations after passing only the NELF exam and meeting the other specialization requirements of each program. Each organization maintains its own application procedures and standards that must be met to be certified as a specialist by that organization.

Below is an explanation of the alternatives for lawyers who are interested in becoming certified:

Seeking Certification by the NC Board Only

A lawyer seeking certification by the NC Board, but not applying for certification by NELF, must submit to the NC Board:

i. The NC Board's application;

ii. The NC Board's application fee;

iii. The NELF exam fee. 

NELF examination scores are valid in North Carolina for two calendar years; therefore, an applicant to the NC Board must meet the other NC Board requirements no later than December 31 of the calendar year after the calendar year in which the applicant passes the NELF exam. 

A lawyer initially seeking certification by only the NC Board may subsequently use the examination results to seek certification by NELF by applying to NELF within two years of passing the NELF exam.

Information relating to the NELF certification can be found at https://www.nelf.org/why-become-a-certified-elder-law-attorney.

Seeking Certification by NELF Only 

A North Carolina lawyer seeking certification by NELF and not by the NC Board must apply to the NELF and meet the NELF requirements.

Certification by Both Organizations

Other than passing the NELF exam, a lawyer must satisfy the requirements of each organization to be certified by that organization. The lawyer must submit the following to each organization:

To the NC Board:

i. The NC Board's application;

ii. The NC Board's application fee.

To NELF:

i. The NELF application;

ii. The NELF application fee;

iii. The Exam Registration Form;

iv. The NELF examination fee.

All applications and fees must be submitted on time, based upon the separate requirements of each organization. All education requirements, peer review, and experience requirements of each organization must be met to obtain certification by that organization. NELF rules, procedures and fees apply to an applicant seeking NELF certification in the same manner as other NELF applicants.

NELF examination scores are valid in North Carolina for two calendar years; therefore, an applicant to the NC Board must meet the other NC Board requirements no later than December 31 of the calendar year after the calendar year in which the applicant passed the ABC examination.

If a lawyer passes the NELF exam but fails to meet the other certification requirements of either organization, (s)he may be certified by only the organization whose requirements have been met. Other than the exam, the certification requirements of each organization apply independently.