What qualifications do I need to become a conveyancer?

Have you ever considered becoming a licensed conveyancer?
Now could be the perfect time to start your conveyancing career, as reports show that conveyancing workloads have been under pressure the past few years with the level of demand.  

It might surprise you to learn that you don’t need to have law experience to complete your conveyancing qualifications. 

Whether you're just starting out in your career or considering a change, this guide will provide you with the information you need to pursue this challenging and rewarding profession.

What does a licensed conveyancer do?

A licensed conveyancer performs all the relevant legal and administrative roles involved in the buying and selling process, from taking a client's initial instruction to the exchange of contracts and completion of the transaction.

As a licensed conveyancer, you will be able to work anywhere dealing with the transfer of property titles – for example, law firms, housing associations, banks and airports. Licensed conveyancers are responsible for all documentation, contracts and finances associated with the sale or transfer of a property.  

How much does a licensed conveyancer earn?

Salaries for licensed conveyancers vary depending on the business, but they would typically range from around £20,000, for an entry level role, and over £50,000 for those with more experience. Management roles with a firm or partnership can often push salaries higher than this.

What qualifications are required to become a licensed conveyancer?

To become a licensed conveyancer, you will need to have met the registration requirements of the Council of Licensed Conveyancers. You do not need a prior qualification to work in this area, but to become a licensed conveyancer you will need to pass the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) qualifications:

• Level 4 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice
• Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice

As well as the qualifications, you would also need to evidence 1,200 hours of supervised practical experience to the CLC. 

We offer both qualifications Level 4 and Level 6 Diplomas in Conveyancing Law and Practice as well as an introductory course to allow you to gain an introduction to the conveyancing industry before you pursue the career qualifications further. 

The courses include free access to West Law, a leading global provider of legal, regulatory and business information and analytics. This extensive library of resources will help support you through your studies and in your day-to-day role in Conveyancing. 

It can help to have some work experience in a related sector such as with an estate agent or within the property department of a law firm. Studying a relevant qualification like a bachelor’s degree in law can also be beneficial and may lead to some exemptions from parts of the course. 

You can study a Council of Licensed Conveyancers qualification yourself or as part of an organisation’s training programme. However, it is important to note that many employers prefer to choose candidates who already have or are working towards their CLC qualification, over those who do not.   

What conveyancing qualifications are there? 

Conveyancing Short Course - An Introduction for Property Professionals  

This course is your introduction to conveyancing law and gives you the basic knowledge you need to work in the property business. The good news is, you don’t need previous knowledge or experience of conveyancing procedure and practices to apply. You don’t need to be working in a legal services role either. 

Find out more: Conveyancing: An Introduction for Property Professionals 

Level 4 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice 

This course gives you a basic understanding of the English legal system, conveyancing transactions and the law around land and contracts. It’s perfect for you if you don’t have a legal qualification in law but want to achieve a conveyancing qualification. 

You don’t require any previous qualifications to complete your Level 4 diploma.   You can choose to complete this course in either 12 or 24 months.  

Find out more: Level 4 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice 

Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice 

If you’ve already completed Level 4 and want to progress your career, the Level 6 qualification gives you the specialist skills you need to meet the professional standard expected of a licensed conveyancer.

There are only three units in Level 6 which cover Landlord & Tenant, Conveyancing Law & Practice and Managing Client & Office Accounts.   

Find out more: Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice 

What previous qualifications or experience do I need to take a conveyancing course? 

To start studying for your CLC exams you’ll usually need at least 4 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) including English or English Literature. You may be accepted without the minimum qualifications if you have experience working in a solicitor's or licensed conveyancer's office. 

How to become a conveyancer without a law degree

If you already have the right grades, you don’t need any previous experience in a legal environment to start a conveyancing course.  

To start your Level 4 qualification in conveyancing with us you don’t need to hold any previous qualifications or experience in the legal profession, only requirement is a minimum of Level 2 in English and maths. The Level 4 course is the perfect way for you to take your first steps into the legal profession and along the route to becoming a conveyancer.

For a Level 4 conveyancing course the most important quality for any learner is the drive to succeed, a commitment to your studies and a desire for career progression. In some cases, where you have some previous legal experience, you may be exempt from some units.

What skills are required to become a licensed conveyancer?

In order to become a licensed conveyancer, you will need to pass the CLC qualifications. Alongside this professional qualification, it can be useful to have the skills and qualities listed below.

• Thorough and detail oriented
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Good legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
• An active listener
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
• Confidence in your maths ability

What are the career progression opportunities open to a licensed conveyancer?

As a CLC qualified licensed conveyancer, you can work anywhere that deals with the transfer of property titles. This includes law firms, housing associations, banks, airports and much more. 

Licensed conveyancers have the ability to progress in their career by moving from private practice to in-house roles or vice-versa, taking on management responsibilities by supervising a team or becoming a partner in a conveyancing or law firm.

Why should I become a conveyancer?

If you have the drive to succeed, conveyancing provides an accessible and convenient route for anyone wishing to start a new career, and also allows those already working in the field the opportunity to become qualified in a convenient fashion. It’s also an opportunity for qualified legal professionals to expand their skill set and diversify their career prospects.

By completing a Level 4 course you are one step closer to becoming a licensed conveyancer – which you can also achieve with MOL through our Level 6 qualification.

Conveyancing qualifications with MOL Learn 

We’re proud to be the largest provider of nationally recognised Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) Qualifications. 

Our Diplomas in Conveyancing Law and Practice are highly regarded and our tutors are industry experts. We’ve helped hundreds of legal professionals qualify in property law. Studying with us means you’ll benefit from a wealth of study materials and great tutor support. As part of your course, we also provide free access to West Law, a leading global provider of legal, regulatory and business information and analytics. For more information about our Conveyancing Law Practice courses, or to start your journey to becoming a qualified conveyancer, please call one of our friendly Qualifications Advisors on 0330 057 1301.