What Qualifications Do I Need to Become a Conveyancer?
What Qualifications Do I Need to Become a Conveyancer?
To become a Licensed Conveyancer in England and Wales you need two qualifications: the Level 4 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice and the Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice, both recognised by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC). Alongside the diplomas you complete 1,200 hours of supervised practical experience. You do not need a degree, and exemptions or knowledge mapping can get you qualified faster.
(Level 4 then Level 6)
practical experience
the CLC route
including experience
The short answer
You need three things to qualify as a Licensed Conveyancer: the CLC Level 4 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice, the CLC Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice, and 1,200 hours of supervised practical experience evidenced to the CLC. There is no degree requirement and no maximum age. If you already have relevant qualifications or experience, exemptions can let you skip part or all of Level 4, and knowledge mapping helps you study only what you do not already know.
| Qualifications needed | CLC Level 4 Diploma and CLC Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice |
| Awarding & regulating bodies | Qualifications recognised by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC); diplomas awarded with SQA / Qualifications Scotland |
| Practical experience | 1,200 hours of supervised conveyancing work, evidenced to the CLC |
| Degree required? | No. There is no degree requirement and no maximum age |
| Entry requirements | Open access to the Level 4 diploma. A good standard of written English is recommended |
| Typical time to qualify | About 2 to 3 years, including practical experience. The diplomas alone can be done in around 18 months |
| What it leads to | Qualification as a Licensed Conveyancer, a fully regulated property lawyer |
What qualifications do you need to become a conveyancer?
A conveyancer is a property lawyer who handles the legal side of buying, selling and transferring property. To practise as a fully qualified Licensed Conveyancer in England and Wales, you complete two CLC-recognised diplomas and a period of supervised practical experience.
Level 4 Diploma
The foundation. Covers the English legal system, contract law, land law, standard conveyancing transactions and accounts. Passing it lets you work as a Conveyancing Technician.
Level 6 Diploma
The advanced, honours-degree-equivalent stage. Covers conveyancing law and practice, landlord and tenant law, and managing client and office accounts.
1,200 hours' experience
Supervised, hands-on conveyancing work, evidenced to the CLC. Usually built up while you study or after the diplomas.
Once you have both diplomas and your practical experience signed off, you apply to the CLC for your first licence and become a Licensed Conveyancer. The CLC is the specialist property law regulator, so its requirements are the ones that count. You can read the regulator's own outline on the CLC Licensed Conveyancer page.
Do you need a degree or any entry requirements?
No. You do not need a university degree, A-levels or any prior legal qualification to start. This is one of the biggest differences between the conveyancing route and the solicitor route, and it is why conveyancing is so popular with career changers and people already working in property.
The Level 4 diploma has open access, so you can begin straight from school or college, or move across from an unrelated career. A good standard of written English helps, since the assessments are written, but there are no formal entry grades to meet. There is also no maximum age. If you would like the detail, see our guide on whether you can become a conveyancer without a degree.
What is the difference between the Level 4 and Level 6 diplomas?
You need both to qualify as a Licensed Conveyancer. The Level 4 builds your legal foundation and the Level 6 turns that into the advanced, practice-ready knowledge a regulated property lawyer needs.
| Criteria | Level 4 Diploma | Level 6 Diploma |
|---|---|---|
| Stage | Foundation (Technician level) | Advanced (honours-degree equivalent) |
| Covers | English legal system, contract law, land law, standard conveyancing transactions, accounts | Conveyancing law and practice, landlord and tenant, managing client and office accounts |
| Lets you work as | Conveyancing Technician | Licensed Conveyancer (with experience and a licence) |
| Indicative cost | From £192.50/mo over 12 (£2,310 in full) | From £160/mo over 12 (£1,920 in full) |
If you want to compare these against the solicitor route, our Licensed Conveyancer vs Solicitor guide sets the two side by side on cost and time.
What about the 1,200 hours of practical experience?
Qualifications are only part of the picture. To get your licence you also need to evidence 1,200 hours of supervised practical experience in conveyancing to the CLC. This is real, hands-on work applying what you learn.
The experience can be gained in a range of settings, including law firms, licensed conveyancing practices, housing associations, banks and building societies. Many students build their hours while they study, which is why the whole journey usually takes 2 to 3 years even though the diplomas themselves can be completed faster. Our CLC practical experience guide explains exactly what counts and how to record it.
How can you qualify faster?
You may not have to study every module from scratch. Depending on your background, three routes can shorten the path to qualification, sometimes by skipping the whole of Level 4.
Academic exemption (prior learning)
If you already hold a relevant qualification, you can claim exemptions from individual Level 4 modules or, in some cases, the whole diploma. A law degree, or qualification as a solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive (FCILEx) with a current practising certificate, can exempt you from Level 4 entirely. See what you can claim on our CLC exemptions and prior learning page, or run the numbers with the CLC exemptions calculator.
Experience exemption (the Professional Experience Exemption)
If you already work in conveyancing as a fee earner, the CLC's Professional Experience Exemption can let you skip Level 4 completely and go straight to the Level 6 diploma, with a supervisor signing off your competence. It is the fastest route for experienced practitioners. Full details are on our Professional Experience Exemption page.
Knowledge mapping (study only what you need)
Even within a diploma, you may already know parts of the syllabus. Our free conveyancing knowledge mapping assessment diagnoses what you already understand, topic by topic, so you can focus your study time on the gaps rather than re-covering ground you have mastered. It is a simple way to reach qualification faster without paying for content you do not need.
Find your fastest route in minutes
Take the free knowledge mapping assessment to see exactly what you already know and where to focus, so you reach qualification sooner.
In short
Exemptions remove modules you have already covered, and knowledge mapping focuses your study on the rest. Used together, they can take months off your journey to becoming a Licensed Conveyancer.
How long does it take and what does it cost?
Most people qualify in about 2 to 3 years, including the 1,200 hours of practical experience. The diplomas alone can be completed in around 18 months if you study steadily, and faster still if exemptions remove modules.
On cost, the Level 4 diploma is currently from £192.50 a month over 12 interest-free instalments (£2,310 in full) and the Level 6 from £160 a month (£1,920 in full), so the academic qualifications total around £4,230. You can spread payments interest-free, study individual modules one at a time, or have the whole thing funded through an apprenticeship. Our CLC qualification cost guide breaks down every option.
Is there an apprenticeship route?
Yes. If you are employed in a conveyancing or property role, you can gain exactly the same CLC qualifications through an apprenticeship, with the training costs funded rather than self-paid. The Level 4 Conveyancing Technician and Level 6 Licensed Conveyancer apprenticeships lead to the same diplomas and the same licence.
No-fee option: the apprenticeship route
If you are employed in the field, a conveyancing apprenticeship removes course fees entirely. You earn a salary while you train, with the training covered by your employer and government funding. Not yet employed in conveyancing? The self-funded diploma route lets you start immediately. See how to become a Licensed Conveyancer for the full step-by-step path.
Start your conveyancing qualification
Level 4 Diploma in Conveyancing
From £192.50/mo over 12 (£2,310 in full)
The foundation qualification. Open access, no degree needed, study online at your own pace. Qualifies you as a Conveyancing Technician.
View Level 4Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing
From £160/mo over 12 (£1,920 in full)
The advanced qualification that, with experience and a licence, makes you a Licensed Conveyancer. Honours-degree equivalent.
View Level 6Individual modules
From £149 per module
Prefer to study one subject at a time, or only the modules you are not exempt from? Take the diplomas module by module.
Browse modulesConveyancing Apprenticeship
No tuition fees, earn while you train
Qualify with no course fees and a salary. Training is covered by your employer and government funding.
View ApprenticeshipFrequently asked questions
Do I need a degree to become a conveyancer?
No. There is no degree requirement to become a Licensed Conveyancer. You qualify through the CLC Level 4 and Level 6 Diplomas in Conveyancing Law and Practice plus 1,200 hours of practical experience, with open access to the Level 4 diploma.
What qualifications does a Licensed Conveyancer need?
A Licensed Conveyancer needs the CLC Level 4 Diploma and the CLC Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice, plus 1,200 hours of supervised practical experience evidenced to the Council for Licensed Conveyancers. After that you apply for your first licence.
How long does it take to qualify as a conveyancer?
Most people qualify in about 2 to 3 years, including practical experience. The diplomas alone can be completed in around 18 months, and exemptions or the Professional Experience Exemption can make it quicker.
Can I skip Level 4 if I already work in conveyancing?
Often, yes. Experienced fee earners can use the CLC Professional Experience Exemption to skip Level 4 and go straight to Level 6, and holders of relevant qualifications such as a law degree, solicitor or FCILEx status can claim academic exemptions.
How much do the conveyancing qualifications cost?
The Level 4 diploma is from £192.50 a month over 12 interest-free instalments (£2,310 in full) and the Level 6 from £160 a month (£1,920 in full), totalling around £4,230. Modules can be bought individually, and the apprenticeship route is funded.
What is the difference between a Conveyancing Technician and a Licensed Conveyancer?
A Conveyancing Technician has completed the Level 4 diploma and works under supervision. A Licensed Conveyancer has completed Level 6, evidenced 1,200 hours of experience and holds a CLC licence, so can run files and a practice in their own right.
Ready to start qualifying as a conveyancer?
Study online and at your own pace, spread the cost interest-free, and start now or in 14 days. Check what you can skip first, then begin the Level 4 diploma.
Start the Level 4 Diploma →