Licence

Solicitor's practising certificate (England and Wales)

You must have a practicing certificate from the Solicitors Regulation Authority to work as a solicitor in England and Wales

Apply for this licence

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Conditions may be attached to a practising certificate under certain circumstances.

How much it costs

Application costs change annually. View current fees for the current fees on the SRA website.

What you’ll need to apply

You can only apply for a practising certificate if you have first been admitted as a solicitor.

Exemptions

You may not need a practising certificate in certain circumstances. The SRA’s guidance page sets these out through interactive questions.

Public registers and databases

All solicitors with a practising certificate will be included on an online Solicitors Register with details of their practising arrangements unless there are public interest reasons not to do so.

What happens next

Most applications are processed within 30 days. Applications where there are character and suitability issues will take longer.