Turn Your Experience into a CLC Licence: The New Fast-Track Route for Fee Earners

Are you an experienced conveyancer or probate practitioner? Do you manage your own caseload and supervise others, yet lack the formal legal qualifications to match your expertise?

For years, many talented professionals have hit a "paper ceiling"—unable to progress to becoming a licensed CLC Lawyer without going back to the drawing board to study the basics.

The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has introduced a game-changer: the Professional Experience Exemption.

This new initiative allows experienced professionals to have their skills formally recognised, bypassing the early stages of training and moving directly to the final stage of licensure. As a CLC training provider, we are excited to help you navigate this CLC accelerated qualification.

What is the Professional Experience Exemption?

This exemption is a concession offered by the CLC. It acknowledges that if you have been doing the job at a high level for years, you shouldn’t have to study what you already practice daily.

Successfully applying for this route allows you to bypass the Level 4 Diploma in Law and Practice entirely. Instead, you can progress directly to the Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing or Probate Law and Practice.

While you must still pass the Level 6 assessments to ensure you meet national standards, this route significantly shortens the time and cost required to become a licensed CLC Lawyer.

Who is Eligible for this Fee-Earner Exemption?

This route is specifically designed for "non-graduates"—individuals who have learned on the job rather than through a traditional academic law route.

To qualify for the fee-earner exemption, you must not hold existing legal qualifications (such as a Law Degree, LPC, or Level 3+ CILEX/CLC qualifications). If you hold those, you would follow the standard Accredited Prior Learning (APL) route.

To apply for the Professional Experience Exemption, you must:

• No Prior Legal Qualifications: You must not hold a Law Degree, LPC, or Level 3+ CILEX/CLC qualifications. (If you have these, see the APL Route section below).
• Current Employment: You must be working in a regulated legal services or accountancy firm in England or Wales.
• 4 Years Continuous Experience: You need at least 4 years of continuous experience as a conveyancing or probate fee earner. (Any single absence from employment in the last 4 years must not exceed 12 months.)
• Supervision: You must be supervised by an Authorised Person (e.g., a Licensed Conveyancer, Solicitor, or FCILEx Practitioner) who holds a valid license free of conditions.

Defining the "Experienced Fee Earner"

The CLC is strict about who qualifies. You aren't just an assistant; you are a fee earner with autonomy. Your employer must verify that you:

• Manage Your Own Caseload: You handle chargeable matters with a high level of autonomy.
• Generate Income: You have specific targets for income generation.
• Supervise Others: You mentor and support junior colleagues.
• Demonstrate Expertise: You have strong knowledge of procedural rules and client care standards.

Important Note for Locums: Locums working through an agency are not eligible, as they cannot meet the requirement of 4 years of continuous supervised professional experience with a single employer/supervisor structure. However, consultants contracted with one or two firms may be eligible.

The Proof: The Statement of Supervised Professional Experience (SoSPE)

To get the exemption, you cannot just claim you are experienced; you have to prove it. You and your supervisor will complete the Statement of Supervised Professional Experience (SoSPE).

This document maps your real-world work against the CLC's technical standards. For Conveyancing, you must demonstrate competence in areas such as:

• Technical Knowledge: Proving registered freehold/leasehold titles and drafting contracts.
• Financial Management: Compiling financial statements and understanding lender requirements.
• Risk & Compliance: Identifying AML issues, conflict of interest, and managing client files.
• Communication: Drafting letters and maintaining client relationships.

Your employer must sign off that you have mastered these specific skills.

Exemption vs. APL: Which Route is for You?

It is vital to choose the correct path so your application isn't rejected.

If you hold existing qualifications, do not use the exemption route. Instead, apply for APL to see which units you can skip.

The Application Process: Step-by-Step

Getting started is straightforward, and the CLC does not currently charge a fee for the exemption application.

• Download the Forms Visit the CLC website to download the Professional Exemption Request Form and the SoSPE & Employer Statement of Support.
• Verify Your Experience (The SoSPE) Complete the SoSPE. Your supervising Authorised Person (who must not be a spouse/relative without prior CLC agreement) must verify every section. Incomplete forms are automatically rejected.
• Employer Statement of Support Your employer (e.g., Director, Partner, HoLP) must provide a signed statement confirming:

• Your job role and scope (on company letterheaded paper).
• That you meet the "Experienced Fee Earner" definition.
• Their support for your progression to Level 6.

• Submit and Certify Submit your documents to the CLC. Once approved, you will receive a Professional Experience Exemption Certificate.
• Start Studying (The 12-Month Rule) Your certificate is valid for 12 months. You must register with an approved training provider (like us!) and enroll in the Level 6 Diploma within this window, or the exemption expires.

Why This is Great for Employers

If you are an employer, this is the most effective route to tackle the shortage of Authorised Persons in your firm.

By supporting your Senior Fee Earners through this CLC accelerated qualification, you can:

• Retain Top Talent: Show your staff a clear path to licensure, preventing them from leaving to find progression elsewhere.
• Fast-Track Licensing: Increase your number of licence holders without the downtime of a long academic course (Level 4 takes 18-24 months; skipping it is a massive time saver).
• Validate Expertise: Formally recognize the leaders already present in your team.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you have the experience, we have the course to get you across the finish line.

Don’t let a lack of formal qualifications hold you back any longer. The Professional Experience Exemption is your opportunity to gain the recognition you deserve and secure your licence in record time.

Do you think you qualify?

• Apply for your exemption via the CLC website today.
• Once you have your exemption certificate, contact our training team to enrol directly onto the Level 6 Diploma.

Frequently Asked Questions:
The Professional Experience Exemption

Eligibility & Criteria

The Application Process

Studying & Qualifications