3 Best Online LexisNexis Certification Programs

LexisNexis Certification

Legal research professionals seeking to bolster their careers and impress their employers are taking advantage of earning LexisNexis Certification credentials online.

LexisNexis is one of the leading providers and most widely used sources of fact-checked research used by legal professionals.

Gain insights on some of the top programs offering web-based LexisNexis training in the comprehensive guide to the best LexisNexis certification programs below!

Best Online LexisNexis Certification Training Programs

The best online LexisNexis certification programs offer guided instruction and self-paced options where distance-based trainees can log in to their computers, tablets, or smartphones to access course content.

Typical course content can include video lectures, live one-on-one training sessions, and online tutorials and reading assignments that prepare LexisNexis trainees for certification.

Get CertifiedEarn your accredited, affordable LexisNexis® Legal Research certification online with Penn Foster in as little as 4 months!

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1 LexisNexis University

LexisNexis operates its online training series under the name of LexisNexis University.

This product-based training program prepares legal professionals and law students to earn their coveted industry certifications as legal research experts.

Enrollees who take courses online at the LexisNexis website can choose from a variety of sought-after certifications and product-based training options that include Lexis+, Lexis Advance, and LexisNexis for Paralegals.

The costs of training and earning each certification depend on the selected certification type and the professional status of potential candidates.

Career professionals may have higher out-of-pocket costs for earning LexisNexis certification credentials than law students and paralegals, who often receive complementary training or certification training at a deeply discounted cost.

Courses Offered

  • Legal Research on Lexis+
  • Primary Law
  • Secondary Sources
  • Practical Guidance
  • Legal News Hub
  • Litigation Analytics
  • Brief Analytics

Contact Information


Penn Foster is one of America’s longest-running and most trusted distance-based learning institutions.

They currently offer web-based self-paced options for legal professionals and journalists seeking LexisNexis certification.

Certification students typically include legal industry experts, paralegals, law students, journalists, and academics seeking to take a deep dive into the fundamentals of using the LexisNexis Advance program.

This online LexisNexis training program offers first-level certification and continuing education credits for certified users, along with a subscription to the Lexis Advance service for the entirety of the online training program.

Courses Offered

  • Analyzing Legal Documents
  • Computer-Assisted Legal Research
  • Ethical Research Practices
  • Information Literacy
  • Legal Citation Methods
  • Using Legal Resources

Contact Information


3 Duke University Paralegal Online Program

The Continuing Education Department at Duke University offers one of the top Paralegal programs available online.

Their comprehensive Paralegal Studies program comes with access to some of the top legal research tools, including Westlaw and Lexis Advance.

Students who enroll in Duke’s self-paced online program gain access to the support of licensed attorneys as instructors and a wealth of legal technology and research skills that make this program one of the best in the country.

Courses Offered

  • Blue Book Citation
  • Law Library Lab
  • Legal Analysis
  • Legal Authority Identification
  • Legal Research and Writing
  • Lexis Lab
  • Key Numbers System
  • Secondary Sources
  • Westlaw Lab

Contact Information


Schools Summary Table

Rank School
#1LexisNexis University
#2Penn Foster - LexisNexis Legal Research Certificate
#3Duke University Paralegal Online Program

Who Uses LexisNexis?

Before getting certification for LexisNexis, it is important to understand who uses this sought-after proprietary legal research software — and why.

If you have already started or are planning to begin a new career in one of the following fields, becoming LexisNexis certified could be an excellent career move for you!

The following legal professionals use LexisNexis for case preparation, case research, fact-checking, and information gathering.

#1. Legal Compliance Professionals

Risk Management and Compliance professionals regularly use tools like LexisNexis to conduct due diligence, background checks, and ensure regulatory compliance in legal matters.

#2. Corporate Counselors

In-house legal teams often use legal research tools like LexisNexis to verify rules, laws, and statutes for corporate law, compliance, risk management, and legal contract reviews.

#3. Government Attorneys

Public Defenders, Prosecutors, and Regulatory Agency Lawyers use LexisNexis for legal research, law enforcement research, litigation research, and policy research.

#4. Paralegals, Legal Secretaries, and Legal Researchers

Paralegals, Legal Secretaries, and Legal Researchers working for private attorneys or public legal employers are some of the biggest users of legal research tools, like LexisNexis and Westlaw.

Legal Support Professionals use these tools to provide direct support to attorneys in the form of drafting legal documents, conducting case research, and organizing legal documents.

#5. Judicial Clerks and Judges

Judicial Clerks and Judges use top legal research tools to access the latest court opinions, analyze legal precedents, and draft judicial opinions.

#6. Law Librarians

Professional Law Librarians use LexisNexis and similar tools to support requests from local attorneys, law students, courts, and academic institutions as a regular component of their daily job duties.

#7. Law Students

Law Students, as well as Paralegals, are some of the biggest users of legal research tools like LexisNexis.

Legal scholars use these tools for accuracy when conducting academic research, writing legal papers, and preparing for mock trials and legal coursework.

#8. Lawyers

Aside from law students and Paralegals, Lawyers are some of the top users of LexisNexis research tools.

Practicing attorneys use legal research support tools to study case law, statutes, legal regulations, primary legal resources, and secondary legal resources, and to stay on top of the latest emerging developments in the legal industry.

LexisNexis-certified professionals may also earn higher salaries than their non-certified counterparts, as their top-notch research skills make them highly desirable employment candidates.

Becoming a certified LexisNexis expert demonstrates professional commitment to using one of the most sought-after legal technologies available.

Although not officially required by most employers, earning LexisNexis certifications can help set candidates apart from the crowd as they showcase their in-depth research skills on the job.

Top LexisNexis Certifications

The following are examples of some of the most sought-after LexisNexis certifications available online.

Lexis+ Certification

The Lexis+ Certification is one of the most elite legal research certifications currently available online.

This credential provides an overview of the Lexis+ interface, including navigation, basic search functions, and filters.

Trainees who complete the coveted Lexis+ training come away with knowledge of advanced search techniques using Boolean operators and connectors, applying advanced filters to narrow down search results, and using specialized tools for legal case validation.

LexisNexis Paralegal Student Certificate of Mastery

The great news about this top LexisNexis certification is that it is available at no cost to eligible Paralegals and Law Students.

This specialized credential is tailored for legal assistants who need to enhance their legal research skills.

US-based paralegals working in law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies can earn this designation by gaining an understanding of the full functionality of the Lexis interface, using secondary sources, and conducting extensive research on case law, administrative decisions, and statutes and regulations.

What Courses Are in an Online LexisNexis Certification Program?

While the type of courses offered in each LexisNexis certification program will vary by the type of credential sought, most enrollees can expect to review some or all of the certification training courses below as they prepare to earn their credentials.

  • Introduction to LexisNexis: This course provides foundational knowledge and legal research skills for LexisNexis users. Enrollees typically take this course before continuing to more advanced LexisNexis training and certifications.
  • Search Techniques: As the name indicates, enrollees in the LexisNexis search techniques certification training learn more about how to quickly find accurate information when using the LexisNexis platform.
  • Boolean Operators: Certification trainees seeking to craft more precise inquiries during research learn the fundamentals of Boolean logic in support of their in-depth legal research using LexisNexis and similar platforms.
  • Case Law: Lexis+ and Paralegals seeking the Certification of Mastery Certification learn how to locate, analyze, and validate judicial opinions as they relate to case law. Trainees become efficient at comparing rulings and correctly citing legal authorities when conducting legal writing and research.
  • Statutory Research: Certification students enrolled in LexisNexis Statutory Research training learn how to locate, interpret, and accurately apply statutes using Lexis and Lexis+
  • Secondary Sources: Legal professionals learn how to effectively use secondary legal resources in support of primary research. Enrollees grasp the concepts of gaining insights into critical legal issues, understanding unfamiliar legal topics, and finding accurate citations for statutes and case law.
  • Public Records: LexisNexis trainees gain a deeper understanding of how to review public records, including personal, property, and business records used in legal research and documentation. Users may learn how to access and review civil, criminal, and public records, UCC filings, judgments, and DMV records.
  • Certification Exam Prep: The certification exam preparation component of LexisNexis training provides a comprehensive review of all subjects learned and allows pre-certification students to test their knowledge and skills before taking their official LexisNexis certification tests.

Pros and Cons of Getting a LexisNexis Certificate

ProsCons
Improved Research SkillsLimited Value Outside Certain Fields
Resume BoosterNot a Replacement for Experience
Industry RecognitionLimited Access Makes Practice Difficult
Competitive EdgeTime and Cost
Academic and Professional DevelopmentPlatform-Specific Knowledge

Final Thoughts

Earning a top legal research certification in LexisNexis is an excellent way to demonstrate your level of commitment to conducting efficient, accurate, and fact-checked legal research.

While earning LexisNexis certifications in some of their most-used products is not generally required by most employers, those who take the time and effort to earn these high-level legal research credentials can skyrocket their careers as they seamlessly navigate one of America’s most popular legal research tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Earn a LexisNexis Certification Completely Online?

Yes.

The great news for law students and legal professionals seeking to uplevel their research skills is that LexisNexis certifications can be earned completely online!

Online training for LexisNexis credentials includes instructional materials and synchronous or asynchronous instruction via distance-based instructors.

How Long Does it Take to Earn a LexisNexis Certification Online?

The timeframe to complete your LexisNexis certification online varies by the course type and instruction method.

For example, self-study students who skip the online instruction and training available in formal LexisNexis training programs can earn their certification as soon as they successfully pass the required certification exams administered by LexisNexis.

LexisNexis trainees opting for formal education from top providers like LexisNexis University and Penn Foster online can expect to spend a few weeks up to around five to six months to complete all required training coursework and pass certification exams.

How Much Does an Online LexisNexis Certification Cost?

The cost of earning LexisNexis certification online can vary depending on several factors.

For example, career professionals like attorneys and judges may be subject to the full costs of earning certification and using the LexisNexis service, which is typically around $400 per certification.

On the other hand, law students and certain qualifying Paralegals may earn specific LexisNexis certifications at no cost to them, as many law schools and law firms subscribe to the service on behalf of their students and legal support teams.

Total Estimated LexisNexis Certification Costs: $0 – $400+

Sarah Klein
Sarah Klein is a freelance editor and writer specializing in pharmaceutical litigation and products liability. Sarah holds a J.D. and focuses almost exclusively on writing legal blogs that spotlight consumer safety issues.

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Get CertifiedEarn your accredited, affordable LexisNexis® Legal Research certification online with Penn Foster in as little as 4 months!

Request InformationSponsored
Search Paralegal Programs

Get information on Paralegal programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

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