How to Become a Licensed Conveyancer in the UK
How to Become a Licensed Conveyancer in the UK
Becoming a Licensed Conveyancer takes most people two to three years and costs around £4,230 in tuition without exemptions. You qualify through two CLC-accredited diplomas, the Level 4 and the Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice, plus 1,200 hours of supervised practice, then apply to the Council for Licensed Conveyancers for your licence. No degree is required, and with Access Law Online the Level 4 pass rate is 96% and the Level 6 pass rate is 89%.
Qualification
CLC Level 4 + Level 6 DiplomaExemptions available
Duration
2 to 3 years typicalFast-track from 3 to 4 months per diploma
Entry requirements
No degree neededNo maximum age
Cost
£4,230 tuitionOr £0 via apprenticeship
ALO pass rate
96% Level 4 · 89% Level 6Sector average 78% and 71%
- What is a Licensed Conveyancer?
- Licensed Conveyancer or solicitor?
- Is conveyancing right for you?
- Licensed Conveyancer vs CILEx
- The qualification pathway
- Entry requirements
- Exemptions and shortcuts
- Stage 1: the Level 4 Diploma
- Stage 2: the Level 6 Diploma
- Apprenticeship vs diploma
- The 1,200 hours
- Finding a role or placement
- Costs and funding
- How long does it take?
- Salary and prospects
- Applying for your licence
- Accredited and regulated
- What our graduates say
- FAQs
- Related guides
What is a Licensed Conveyancer?
A Licensed Conveyancer is a specialist property lawyer regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC). Where a solicitor might handle anything from divorce to commercial litigation, a Licensed Conveyancer focuses on one area only: the legal transfer of property. Once licensed, they can act independently for buyers, sellers, lenders and developers, and run residential conveyancing transactions end to end without supervision.
That focus is exactly what makes the qualification shorter and cheaper than the solicitor route. If your goal is property work specifically, and you do not want a six-year solicitor pathway to get there, the Licensed Conveyancer route is the most direct qualification recognised in England and Wales.
A Licensed Conveyancer focuses on one area of law: the legal transfer of property.
What does a Licensed Conveyancer do day to day?
- Drafts and reviews contracts of sale, transfer deeds and lease assignments.
- Conducts property searches: local authority, environmental, drainage and mining.
- Manages client money and stakeholder funds through a CLC-compliant client account.
- Handles exchange and completion, registers transfers at HM Land Registry, and accounts for Stamp Duty Land Tax.
Licensed Conveyancers work in private practice (high-street and online firms), in-house at developers, lenders and building societies, or in local authority property teams. With four years of post-licence experience and a CLC Management Licence, a Licensed Conveyancer can own and run their own firm. Learn more about what a Licensed Conveyancer does day to day and how the role differs from a Conveyancing Technician.
Licensed Conveyancer or solicitor, which is right for you?
This is the question almost every prospective conveyancer asks first. Both can do the job, but they are not the same qualification, and they do not take the same time or money to earn. Solicitors qualify through a degree (or conversion), the SQE 1 and 2 exams and two years of qualifying work experience, about six years in total. Licensed Conveyancers qualify through the Level 4 and Level 6 CLC Diplomas plus 1,200 hours of supervised practice, typically two to three years, at a fraction of the cost.
| Licensed Conveyancer | Solicitor | |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Property law specialist | Generalist lawyer |
| Regulator | CLC | SRA |
| Route | L4 + L6 Diploma + 1,200 hrs | Degree + SQE1 & SQE2 + 2 yrs experience |
| Cost to qualify | around £4,230 | £20,000 to £40,000+ |
| Typical time | 2 to 3 years | 5 to 6 years |
| Degree needed | No | Usually |
The Licensed Conveyancer route is the more direct path when property work is the goal.
Is conveyancing right for you?
Conveyancing is detailed, deadline-driven, client-facing work. It rewards accuracy and organisation more than courtroom flair. Here is a quick gut-check before you commit.
A strong fit if you
- Want a specific property-law career rather than general practice.
- Enjoy detailed, process-driven work and hitting deadlines.
- Are organised and accurate with documents and client money.
- Want a faster, lower-cost route into regulated legal work.
- Are a career changer, paralegal or property professional.
Maybe reconsider if you
- Want to keep options open across litigation, family or criminal law.
- Are drawn to courtroom advocacy above all else.
- Prefer broad variety over becoming a deep specialist in one field.
Still weighing it up? Read our honest take on whether it is worth becoming a Licensed Conveyancer.
Licensed Conveyancer vs Chartered Legal Executive (CILEx)
CILEx, the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, is another non-solicitor route into law. A Chartered Legal Executive trains through the CILEx Professional Qualification and can specialise in areas including conveyancing and probate, but the qualification is broader and generally takes longer than the specialist CLC route. The two are not mutually exclusive: if you already hold CILEx qualifications, they can earn you exemptions towards the CLC diplomas.
| Licensed Conveyancer (CLC) | Chartered Legal Executive (CILEx) | |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator | CLC | CILEx Regulation |
| Focus | Property law specialist | Broader legal practice with a chosen specialism |
| Route | Level 4 + Level 6 Diploma + 1,200 hours | CILEx Professional Qualification stages plus qualifying employment |
| Typical time for property work | 2 to 3 years | 3 to 4 years or more |
| Best for | People set on a conveyancing or probate career | People who want a wider legal-executive career |
| Prior study | CILEx qualifications can count towards CLC exemptions, so you may not start from scratch | |
If your goal is specifically conveyancing or probate, the CLC route is usually the most direct. Check what you could carry over with the CLC Exemptions Calculator. Timescales and fees for the CILEx route change over time, so confirm the current requirements with CILEx before deciding.
The qualification pathway
Becoming a fully licensed conveyancer is a four-stage pathway. Each stage builds on the last, and only the CLC can issue the licence at the end. Select a stage to see what it involves.
Stage 1: Level 4 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice
The foundation. Five modules cover the English Legal System, Contract Law, Land Law, Standard Conveyancing Transactions, and Accounts. Students have up to 24 months to complete; typical completion is 12 to 18 months part-time. On passing, you can register with the CLC as a Conveyancing Technician and start to take real work in a regulated firm.
Stage 2: Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice
The advanced qualification, equivalent to the final year of a degree. Three modules: Conveyancing Law and Practice, Landlord and Tenant, and Managing Client and Office Accounts. Typical completion is 12 to 18 months part-time. Experienced students with study time available can complete Level 4 and Level 6 combined in as little as 3 to 4 months, because ALO's knowledge-mapping assessments are available from enrolment day with no minimum wait.
Stage 3: 1,200 hours of supervised practical experience
This must be completed in a CLC-regulated firm, or under the supervision of a Licensed Conveyancer or solicitor authorised to do conveyancing work. Most candidates accumulate these hours in parallel with their Level 6 study, which is why the qualification works as well for working technicians as it does for full-time students.
Stage 4: Apply to the CLC for your First Qualifying Licence
The CLC reviews your qualifications, your supervisor's sign-off on the 1,200 hours, and your fitness-and-suitability declaration. Once approved, they issue your First Qualifying Licence, authorising you to practise as a Licensed Conveyancer. After three years of post-licence experience you can apply for a full Practising Licence.
What are the entry requirements?
There are no formal entry requirements for the Level 4 Diploma. ALO recommends a GCSE in maths and English so you are equipped for the academic content, but neither is a barrier to enrolment. There is no degree requirement and no maximum age. Conveyancing has always been a route into law that is friendly to career changers and parents returning to work. For more, see what qualifications you need and whether you can become a conveyancer without a degree.
International applicants
International applicants are welcome. The CLC does not require UK residency to start studying, but you must have the right to work in the UK before you can complete your 1,200 hours of supervised practice. If you have overseas qualifications or prior legal experience, check the exemptions section below before you enrol.
Exemptions and shortcuts, the two ways to skip Level 4
If you already hold a relevant legal qualification, or you have worked as a conveyancing or probate fee earner for four or more years, you may not need to start at Level 4 at all. Two routes can shorten the pathway: the Professional Experience Exemption (PEE) for experienced fee earners, and exemptions for prior legal qualifications. Both are decided by the CLC, not by ALO. Try the checker below for an instant guide, then confirm with our admissions team.
Exemptions eligibility checker
Indicative guidance only. The CLC assesses every application individually, and qualifications awarded more than 12 years ago may require more units. Email your transcripts to support@alo-email.com for a formal assessment, or use the full CLC Exemptions Calculator.
Common qualifications and their likely effect
| Prior qualification | Effect on Level 4 | Effect on Level 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying law degree (LLB) | Fully exempt | Complete the full Level 6 |
| Incomplete law degree | Possible exemption from ELS, Contract and Land Law | Complete the full Level 6 |
| CILEx at Level 3 | Possible exemption from ELS, Contract and Land Law | Complete the full Level 6 |
| CILEx at Level 6 / FCILEx | Possible full exemption | Complete Managing Client & Office Accounts, possibly Landlord & Tenant |
| CPQ Professional | Fully exempt | Complete Managing Client & Office Accounts, possibly Landlord & Tenant |
| SQE1 (FLK1 and FLK2) | Fully exempt | Complete Managing Client & Office Accounts only |
| LPC (with LLB / BA Law / GDL) | Fully exempt | Possible exemption from all modules |
Read the full exemptions guide and use the detailed calculator →
See also the Professional Experience Exemption for experienced fee earners, how to fast-track conveyancing with a degree, and transferring from conveyancing to probate.
See what our graduates say about qualifying faster with exemptions.
Stage 1: the Level 4 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice
The Level 4 Diploma is the entry-level CLC qualification and the legal grounding everything else stands on. Without it you cannot progress to Level 6 and you cannot register as a Conveyancing Technician.
What it covers, five modules
- English Legal System: courts, sources of law, statutory interpretation, civil procedure.
- Contract Law: formation, terms, vitiating factors and remedies.
- Land Law: estates, interests, registered and unregistered title, easements, leases, mortgages.
- Standard Conveyancing Transactions: the practical mechanics of a residential sale and purchase.
- Accounts: the rules governing client money, stakeholder funds and CLC accounts compliance.
What is different at ALO
- Level 4 fee: £2,310 covering all five modules and assessments, or from £192.50 a month over 12 interest-free instalments.
- 96% pass rate, against the most recent CLC-published cohort average of 78%.
- Accounts exams six days a week, with no fixed windows. Assignments released instantly on application, 24/7.
- Tutor support by chat, email and forum, answered within one working day.
Level 4 Diploma in Conveyancing
£2,310 · from £192.50/mo
Your starting point, and enough to register as a Conveyancing Technician.
Enrol on Level 4 →Stage 2: the Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice
The Level 6 Diploma is the qualification you need to apply for a Licensed Conveyancer practising certificate. Without it, the CLC will not issue a licence, even if your 1,200 hours are complete. It is equivalent to the final year of a UK undergraduate degree and is academically rigorous.
What it covers, three modules
- Conveyancing Law and Practice: new-build, leasehold extensions, statutory rights, complex defects, lender requirements and professional negligence.
- Landlord and Tenant: residential and commercial leases, security of tenure, lease drafting, dilapidations, forfeiture and re-entry.
- Managing Client and Office Accounts: full firm financial management, file accounting and CLC accounts-rules audit readiness.
What is different at ALO
- Level 6 fee: £1,920 covering all three modules and assessments, or from £160 a month over 12 interest-free instalments.
- 89% pass rate, against the most recent CLC-published cohort average of 71%.
- Tutor support from practising Licensed Conveyancers and solicitors, not academic-only staff.
- Fast-track option for Level 4 graduates already working in conveyancing.
Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing
£1,920 · from £160/mo
The qualification you need to become a fully licensed Conveyancer.
Enrol on Level 6 →Apprenticeship vs diploma, which route is right for you?
There are two ways to bundle Level 4, Level 6 and the 1,200 hours together: enrol on each diploma and arrange your own employment, or join a CLC-recognised apprenticeship that combines all three into one funded programme. Neither is universally better. The right route depends on whether you have an employer.
| Diploma route | Apprenticeship route | |
|---|---|---|
| You pay | Tuition fees (or employer pays) | Government-funded (non-levy employers often pay 5%) |
| You earn | Optional, many study while working | Yes, you are employed throughout |
| Time | 12 to 24 months per diploma | 21 months L4 / 18 months L6 |
| Practical experience | Arranged separately | Built in |
| Best for | Career changers, self-funders, those without an employer yet | School leavers and existing employees of conveyancing firms |
Government funding covers 95% of the training cost for non-levy employers, and 100% for apprentices aged 16 to 21. If you can secure an employer, the apprenticeship is hard to beat. If you are switching careers or self-funding, the diploma route with interest-free instalments keeps the cost manageable. Explore apprenticeships → Read the full apprenticeship vs diploma comparison.
The 1,200 hours of practical experience
The CLC requires 1,200 hours of supervised practical experience before it will issue a First Qualifying Licence. This sits in parallel with your Level 6 study for most candidates, not after it.
What counts
Residential conveyancing transactions form the bulk of acceptable hours, but commercial conveyancing, leasehold work, transfers of equity, re-mortgaging and the supporting file management (searches, ID checks, drafting, requisitions, completion statements) all count. Client meetings and supervised correspondence count too. Pure administrative work such as filing, scanning and reception cover does not.
Who can supervise
Your supervisor must be a Licensed Conveyancer or a solicitor authorised to do conveyancing work. They sign off your hours on the CLC's prescribed form and certify that the work was real client work, not shadowing or simulated files.
How to find a conveyancing role or placement
Your 1,200 hours must be completed in a real, supervised role, so lining up the right job matters as much as passing the diplomas. There are several proven routes in.
- Apprenticeship: the cleanest option, because the placement, supervision and funding are built in. See the apprenticeship hub.
- Conveyancing Technician roles: once you pass Level 4 you can register as a Conveyancing Technician, which many firms hire directly. See Technician vs Licensed Conveyancer.
- Paralegal and assistant roles: in conveyancing firms, in-house property teams, developers and lenders, all of which can generate qualifying hours.
- ALO employer network: we keep a list of CLC-regulated firms actively recruiting technicians and apprentices.
- Job boards and direct applications: local high-street and online conveyancing firms, plus LinkedIn, are well worth approaching speculatively.
Passing Level 4 first is the single biggest thing that makes you employable. It shows commitment and lets a firm put you to work under supervision straight away, so your study and your 1,200 hours can build up together.
How much does it cost, and how can I pay?
The total tuition cost through the diploma route at ALO is £4,230 without exemptions, covering both diplomas, all assessments and full tutor support, with no hidden module-unlock fees, re-sit charges or exam-board surcharges. Separate CLC registration and licence fees of roughly £400 to £600 are paid directly to the regulator. Use the calculator to see your route.
Cost and payment-plan calculator
0% interest, no credit check. Prices shown are current published Access Law Online fees and may change; always check the course page before enrolling. Apprenticeship funding is arranged through your employer.
How ALO compares
| Route to qualify | Typical total cost | How you pay |
|---|---|---|
| CLC diplomas with Access Law Online | around £4,230 | Self-funded, interest-free instalments, or employer-funded |
| CLC diplomas with a typical provider | £6,500 to £7,600 | Self-funded or employer-funded |
| CLC apprenticeship route | £0 to the learner | Funded by the employer and government |
| Qualifying as a solicitor | £40,000 to £50,000+ | Degree plus SQE, often self-funded |
How the cost of qualifying through the CLC compares with the solicitor route.
Read the full breakdown on How Much Does a CLC Qualification Cost?
How long does it take to become a conveyancer?
Most people qualify in three to four years. There are four realistic timelines depending on your experience, your study time and your route.
- Ultra fast-track, both diplomas in 3 to 4 months: for experienced fee earners with study time available, using knowledge-mapping assessments with no minimum wait. These candidates usually already have the 1,200 hours covered by their day job.
- Fast-track, around 18 months: Level 4 full-time while working in a regulated firm, then Level 6, accumulating the 1,200 hours alongside.
- Typical, around 3 years: Level 4 in 12 to 18 months part-time, Level 6 in 18 to 24 months, with the hours coming together inside Level 6. Add 8 to 12 weeks for the licence application.
- Part-time while working, 4 to 5 years: common for career changers and parents. There is no penalty for taking longer, as the CLC sets no time limit on completing the diplomas.
Salary and career prospects
Licensed Conveyancers earn well, and earnings rise sharply once the licence is in hand. The biggest single jump is from Conveyancing Technician (Level 4 qualified) to Licensed Conveyancer (Level 6 plus licence), usually a £6,000 to £10,000 step.
These are realistic UK averages across high-street and online firms. London commands a premium of around 10 to 15%. Beyond private practice, there is steady demand from in-house property teams at developers, the property-finance teams at banks and building societies, local authority legal teams, and a growing number of proptech firms. See our detailed Licensed Conveyancer salary guide and career prospects.
Earnings rise sharply once the licence is in hand, with room to progress to firm ownership.
Applying for your CLC licence
Once Level 6 is passed and the 1,200 hours are signed off, the licence application is the final step. You submit confirmation of your Level 6 pass, your supervisor's signed certification of your hours, and the licence application fee. The CLC reviews each application individually.
Your first licence is a First Qualifying Licence. It authorises you to practise, with a continued supervision arrangement during the qualifying period. After three years of post-licence experience and successful CPD, you can apply for a full Practising Licence and, with a Management Licence, own or manage a CLC-regulated firm. First-licence holders must complete a minimum of 6 hours of CPD per year. See the CLC's First Qualifying Licence guidance for current fees.
Why study with Access Law Online?
Three reasons the diploma route works at ALO when it might not work elsewhere: pass rates that beat the sector (96% Level 4 and 89% Level 6, roughly 18 percentage points above the national averages of 78% and 71%); assessment flexibility no-one else offers, with exams six days a week and assignments released instantly on application; and real human support from practising Licensed Conveyancers and solicitors who reply within one working day. New to choosing a provider? See how to choose a CLC training provider.
Accredited and regulated
ALO's diplomas are the same nationally recognised CLC qualifications wherever you study them. The route is backed by the following bodies.
- Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC): the specialist regulator for conveyancing and probate lawyers in England and Wales, and the body that issues your licence.
- Qualifications Scotland (formerly SQA): the awarding body that co-awards the CLC diplomas. ALO is an Approved Centre.
- Ofqual: the diplomas sit on the Regulated Qualifications Framework.
- Department for Education: ALO is on the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP).
- Skills England: ALO delivers against the approved apprenticeship standards ST1311 (Licensed Conveyancer and Licensed Probate Practitioner) and ST1312 (Conveyancing and Probate Technician).
What our graduates say
Real students who used exemptions and flexible study to qualify faster with Access Law Online.
"I started a law degree years ago but never finished it, so I did not expect any of it to count. I was surprised to learn I qualified for exemptions. It effectively halved the modules on my Level 4 Diploma."
"After my CILEx Level 3 Diploma I switched to the CLC route. It exempted me from 3 of the Level 4 modules, so I finished the rest in under 6 months. I am already into Level 6."
"I completed my law degree over 10 years ago and could not fund the LPC. My degree exempted me from the entire Level 4 Diploma despite its age. I wish I had known about this route years ago."
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a conveyancer in the UK?
Most people take three to four years. Experienced fee earners with substantial study time can complete both diplomas in as little as 3 to 4 months using ALO's knowledge-mapping assessments, though the full qualification still requires 1,200 hours of supervised practice signed off by the CLC. There is no upper time limit.
What qualifications do you need to be a conveyancer in the UK?
There are no formal entry requirements to start the Level 4 Diploma. To become a fully Licensed Conveyancer you need the CLC Level 4 and Level 6 Diplomas plus 1,200 hours of supervised practical experience. There is no degree requirement and no maximum age. Solicitors and FCILEx with a current practising certificate are fully exempt from Level 4.
Can you become a conveyancer without a degree?
Yes. Conveyancing is one of the few legal careers in England and Wales where a degree is not required, neither for entry nor at any point during the qualification. The Level 4 Diploma provides the legal grounding a degree would otherwise give.
How much does it cost to become a licensed conveyancer?
The total tuition cost through the diploma route at ALO is £4,230 (Level 4 £2,310 plus Level 6 £1,920) without exemptions, plus roughly £400 to £600 in CLC fees paid separately. ALO offers 0% interest plans across 3, 5 or 12 months. Apprenticeships are 95 to 100% government-funded.
Is a licensed conveyancer as good as a solicitor?
For property work, yes, and often faster, because Licensed Conveyancers do nothing else. Both professions are independently regulated (the CLC and the SRA) and both can carry out conveyancing transactions. Licensed Conveyancers cannot act in non-property matters.
Is it hard to become a conveyancer?
It is academically rigorous, especially at Level 6, but not unusually hard for someone willing to put in part-time study hours. ALO's pass rates (96% Level 4, 89% Level 6) suggest most students who follow the structured approach pass first time. The main challenge is sustaining part-time study while working. For an honest look, read is it hard to become a Licensed Conveyancer? and is it worth it?
Related guides
Go deeper on any part of the journey with the rest of our Licensed Conveyancer guides.
The role, and whether it is right for you
- What does a Licensed Conveyancer do? Role and a day in the life
- Conveyancing Technician vs Licensed Conveyancer
- Licensed Conveyancer vs solicitor: cost and time compared
- Is it hard to become a Licensed Conveyancer?
- Is becoming a Licensed Conveyancer worth it?
Routes, requirements and timescales
- What qualifications do I need to become a conveyancer?
- Can you become a conveyancer without a degree?
- How long does it take to become a Licensed Conveyancer?
- Conveyancing apprenticeship vs diploma: which is right?
- CLC 1,200 hours practical experience explained
- How to choose a CLC training provider
Exemptions and shortcuts
- CLC Exemptions Calculator
- CLC Professional Experience Exemption: the fee-earner route
- Fast-track conveyancing with a degree
- Transferring from conveyancing to probate
Cost, salary and career
Start your route to becoming a Licensed Conveyancer
Flexible online study, interest-free instalments, and an industry-recognised CLC qualification. Begin today or after the 14-day cooling-off period, the choice is yours.