THE STUDY CONSISTED OF TWO SEGMENTS--AN EXAMINATION OF CERTIFICATION IN OTHER PROFESSIONS AND A SURVEY OF PARTICIPANTS AT PUBLIC HEARINGS HELD IN FOUR MAJOR CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO GATHER OPINIONS ON THE NEED AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR LEGAL ASSISTANT CERTIFICATION. THE PATTERN OF CREDENTIALING IS MOST PERVASIVE IN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS. THE PRACTICE OF LICENSING HEALTH PROFESSIONALS BEGAN IN THE LATE 1900'S, AND MANY OTHER HEALTH-RELATED PROFESSIONS HAVE ADOPTED THE PATTERN. NURSING INAUGURATED A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IN 1958; THE REQUIREMENT FOR CERTIFICATION IN ANY NURSING SPECIALTY INCLUDES A LICENSE TO PRACTICE, CURRENT ENGAGEMENT IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, AND PRACTICE AS A REGISTERED NURSE FOR 2 OR 3 YEARS FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF THE BASIC EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS, AND A WRITTEN OR ORAL EXAMINATION. CONTROL OF CERTIFICATION IS USUALLY VESTED IN A BOARD. THE STATEMENTS AND COMMENTS MADE AT THE OPEN HEARINGS INDICATE THE FOLLOWING: THERE IS MINIMAL SUPPORT FOR CERTIFICATION, EVEN THOUGH TWO NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND ONE OR MORE STATE BAR ASSOCIATIONS DO OFFER CERTIFICATION; THERE IS WIDESPREAD ENCOURAGEMENT FOR A STUDY TO IDENTIFY THE FEASIBILITY OF SUCH A PROGRAM AND ITS ORGANIZATION NEEDS AND PROCEDURES; AND THERE IS SUPPORT FOR ACCREDITATION OF LEGAL ASSISTANT'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. IT IS CONCLUDED ON THE BASIS OF THIS STUDY, THAT INITIATION OF A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM WOULD BE PREMATURE; THE OCCUPATION IS STILL IN A DEVELOPING STAGE, AND IF CERTIFICATION IS EVENTUALLY INITIATED, THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM SHOULD BE TO MAKE LEGAL SERVICES LESS EXPENSIVE AND MORE EFFECTIVE. ADDITIONAL SURVEY FINDINGS AND COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PROVIDED. (DAG)