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Professional Experience Exemption

 

Experienced Professionals can gain a CLC Qualification

 

If you have experience in conveyancing or probate, but do not have any prior legal qualifications, you can now have that experience formally recognised and work towards a qualification that leads to becoming a licensed CLC lawyer.

It is a fantastic way to progress your career, making the most of the skills and experience you have developed, demonstrating your expertise and value. 

For employers, is the most effective route to tackle the shortage of Authorised Persons specialising in Conveyancing and Probate.

With the right experience, you can follow a much shorter course of study to secure a licence.

We call it the Professional Experience Exemption, and the FAQs below explain how it works.

 

Q&A Professional Experience Exemption 

 

1. What is the Professional Experience exemption route?

It’s a concession offered by the CLC that allows experienced conveyancing or probate fee earners to bypass the Level 4 Diploma in Law and Practice and progress directly to the Level 6 Diplomas, based on verified workplace experience.

 

2. Does this change the academic requirements for becoming a CLC Lawyer?

No. All candidates must still complete the Level 6 Diplomas and pass the associated assessments. The exemption applies only to the Level 4 entry stage and does not affect the final qualification standards.

 

3. Who is eligible for this exemption?

To qualify, candidates must:

a. Hold no prior legal qualifications, including Law Degrees, LPCs, Legacy CILEX, or CLC qualifications at Level 3 or above.

b. Be currently employed in a qualifying legal services or accountancy firm located in England or Wales.

c. Have a minimum of four years’ continuous experience working as a conveyancing or probate fee earner.

d. Work under the supervision of an Authorised Person as defined by the Legal Services Act 2007.

e. Demonstrate compliance with the competency standards outlined in the CLC Statement of Supervised Professional Experience (SoSPE).

f. Provide a signed Employer Statement of Support, confirming their role and responsibilities.

 

4. What about legal professionals with older legal qualifications or partial completion of CILEX or CLC legacy routes?

This exemption is designed for legal professionals who have not followed an academic route. The CLC’s traditional academic pathways include extensive Accredited Prior Learning (APL) provisions for legal professionals who have already obtained other legal qualifications.

Candidates that completed part or all of a legacy qualification, such as CILEX or legacy CLC qualifications, are eligible for recognition through Accredited Prior Learning (APL) rather than this exemption. Find out more about APL in the CLC Qualifications Exemptions Guidance here.

 

5. Can existing CLC Level 4 students transfer onto this exemption?

No. This exemption is not available to current CLC or CILEX students. It is specifically designed for legal professionals who have not followed any academic route.

 

6. Will professional experience exemption candidates still be assessed to CLC’s national standards?

Yes. All candidates must complete the Level 6 Diplomas, which include nationally assessed exams. This ensures consistent standards for all applicants seeking a CLC licence.

 

7. What is a qualifying law or accountancy firm?

A qualifying employer is a legal services or accountancy firm based in England or Wales that is regulated by an Approved Regulator under the Legal Services Act 2007. This includes firms regulated by the CLC, SRA, CILEx Regulation, or ICAEW. The firm must be authorised to deliver legal services and employ Authorised Persons who can supervise the candidate’s work.

 

8. What evidence is required from the employer?

Employers must complete an Employer Statement of Support confirming the candidate meets the eligibility criteria and their support for the candidate’s progression to Level 6; and also provide

a. a copy of the candidate’s job description on company head paper

 

9. What is the Statement of Supervised Professional Experience (SoSPE)?

It’s a candidate-completed document that outlines the nature and scope of their legal work. It is practical and focuses on the transactional elements and competencies involved in straight forward conveyancing and probate matters.

It must be verified by their supervising Authorised Person and reflect the standards set out by the CLC.

The Employer Statement of Support and SoSPE are combined into one document and can be downloaded below.

 

10. Can part-time or contracted work count toward the 4-year requirement?

Yes. The exemption is based on supervised experience and practical competence, not hours worked. However, any single continuous absence from employment should not exceed 12 months.

 

11. What if a candidate has worked across multiple employers?

They should obtain separate SoSPEs from each employer covering the past 4 years. If this is not possible, they should defer their application until the full period can be validated.

 

12. Are any units at Level 4 Land required?

No, but completing the Land Law unit may be recommended. Candidates who haven’t studied formally in some time may benefit from completing this unit to strengthen foundational legal knowledge before starting Level 6.

 

13. How can I apply for the exemption?

You can apply by requesting a Professional Experience Exemption Application Form from the CLC here. This form will guide you through the required documentation, including your Statement of Supervised Professional Experience and employer statement of support.

 

14. How is the exemption verified?

Each qualifying candidate will receive a Professional Experience Exemption Certificate from the CLC. This document will:

a. Confirm that the exemption has been granted

b. Have a unique exemption reference number

c. Specify the valid from and to date from which the exemption can be used

 

15. How long is the exemption valid?

A Professional Experience Exemption is valid for 12 months from the date of confirmation. This timeframe allows candidates to:

a. Register with an approved training provider

b. Begin studying the Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing or Probate Practice

The Certificate of Professional Experience Exemption must be submitted alongside the Level 6 Diploma certificates when applying for a CLC Licence.

 

16. Is there a cost or fee?

No. The CLC is not currently charging a fee for occupational exemption applications.

 

Statement of Supervised Professional Experience (SoSPE) & Employer Statement of Support

Download the Statement of Supervised Professional Experience (SoSPE) & Employer Statement of Support here:

Conveyancing Exemption
Probate Exemption

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about Eligibility

This exemption route is specifically designed for experienced professionals who have not followed an academic pathway. It recognises substantial, supervised experience in conveyancing or probate as an alternative to formal legal qualifications.

If someone is already studying the SQA Level 4 Diploma, they’ve already entered the CLC’s academic route. Similarly with the CILEX route, anyone studying the CILEX qualifications should use the APL route to claim exemption to the CLC route.

They are therefore expected to progress through the standard qualification framework, which includes both Level 4 and Level 6 units. The exemption is not intended as a shortcut for those already on that path, but rather as an access route for those who would not otherwise qualify to begin at Level 6.

Yes. With the exception of planned career breaks and periods of unemployment, any single continuous absence from employment within the last four years should not exceed 12 months. Absences of up to 12 months are acceptable, and the CLC can provide written confirmation if requested via traineelawyer@clc-uk.org.

No. Locums working through an agency are not eligible as they cannot meet the requirement of 4 years of continuous supervised professional experience. However, consultants contracted with one or two firms may be eligible to apply.

Applicants who are uncertain if their supervision arrangements are eligible should email traineelawyer@clc-uk.org with further details. We will confirm in writing whether it is agreed that the circumstances are satisfactory.

No. Candidates must provide their legal name, as it appears on their passport.  The CLC will only issue confirmation of the exemption in your legal name. Any additional SQA certificates awarded must also be registered in a candidate’s legal name to ensure accurate identification at the point of applying for a CLC Licence.

Employer Statement of Support

Yes. To be eligible to apply for the Professional Experience Exemption candidates must provide a letter of support from their employer confirming:

    • Your current employment status
    • Your job role and scope
    • Your key responsibilities

 Any disagreements or discrepancies regarding these details must be resolved directly with your employer before submitting your application.

The Employer Statement of Support must be signed by an individual that:

  • Is employed by the Qualifying Employer, and
  • Holds sufficient seniority to verify your working and contractual arrangements. For example, a Company Director or Partner, Managing Director, HR representative, HoLP, or CoLP.

Statement of Supervised Professional Experience (SoSPE)

Supervision by a relative or spouse must be agreed with the CLC BEFORE the period of work experience commences. The candidate should email  traineelawyer@clc-uk.org  setting out the exceptional circumstances. We will confirm in writing whether it is agreed that the circumstances are exceptional and that the proposed supervision arrangements are satisfactory.

You will be asked to submit this written confirmation with your exemption application.

No. If any sections of the Statement of Supervised Professional Experience (SoSPE) are incomplete when an application is submitted, it will be deemed ineligible.  Candidates must ensure that all sections of the SoSPE are complete and verified by the signing Authorised Person before submitting an application to the CLC.

Granting an Exemption

Candidates must retain the Professional Experience Exemption Certificate and submit it with their licence application. Failure to provide the Certificate may render the application incomplete.

No. The exemption will be issued for either conveyancing or probate.

The exemption is a discretionary concession, not an entitlement. If your application is refused, it may be because you did not meet the eligibility criteria. You are encouraged to review the criteria carefully, and you may submit a new application in the future if your circumstances change and you are able to meet the requirements.

The Exemption is claimed by the candidate presenting the Certificate of Professional Experience Exemption to a training provider when they enrol on the Level 6 Diploma.

Training providers should verify your exemption before enrolment onto the Level 6 Diplomas by completing a Professional Experience Exemption Verification request form via the CLC’s website. Once the request is received, the CLC will provide written confirmation of the exemption details directly to the training provider.

A Professional Experience Exemption is valid for 12 months from the date it is confirmed. During this time, you must:

  • Register with an approved training provider, and
  • Begin studying the Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing or Probate Practice

 

You do not need to complete your studies within the 12-month period for the exemption to remain valid. However, when applying for your first licence, you must submit your exemption confirmation alongside your Level 6 Diploma certificate.

Yes. Supervised work experience gained as part of the requirements for the Professional Experience Exemption can be used to support a first licence application. However, the Statement of Practical Experience must not be signed and verified by an employer with the supervision having been completed before the date the SQA Level 6 Certificate is issued.

Further guidance on the practical experience requirements for a first licence application can be found on the Statement of Supervised Practical Experience.

 

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