Licensed conveyancer : Career development

As a limited licence holder, you could progress to take on supervisory responsibilities, perhaps leading a property team of legal and administrative staff. Opportunities for specialisation are limited, but some job advertisements emphasise residential or commercial conveyancing. Licensed conveyancers can also deal with probate, the legal process that takes place after someone dies. An additional qualification to the existing licence is available for those who wish to do this.

The availability of internal opportunities for career development may depend to a great extent on company size. You may find it advantageous to move jobs regularly if you wish to get on. There are some opportunities to work as a locum.

After three further consecutive years’ experience in the profession, conveyancers may apply for the full Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) licence, which allows them to become self-employed or enter into partnerships. Some choose to run their business working from home. The CLC website offers further advice on becoming self-employed as a conveyancer.

Both limited and full licence holders are required to undertake periods of continuing professional development (CPD) as stipulated by the CLC. In each year they are licensed, conveyancers must undertake a minimum of six hours' continuing professional development (CPD). Twelve hours are required for full licence holders, who must also hold professional indemnity insurance and contribute to the CLC compensation fund. CPD participation is regulated by submission of a training record and may take the form of attendance at seminars and short courses and use of study videos.

You could also consider alternative careers and it is possible for conveyancers to move into other fields, such as:

• accountancy;
• finance;
• insurance;
• estate agency;
• civil service roles.

Progression to other careers in law (e.g. solicitor) is also possible with the right qualifications.