SQE candidates

Updated March 2025

Here are the steps you need to take before applying for admission as a solicitor of England and Wales. We also offer guidance on when to do this, but the steps do not have to be done in a set order.

You'll also find a personalised SQE checklist within mySRA (in 'My profile') that tracks your progress to admission and highlights next steps.

Create your accounts – do this first

• Create a mySRA account – this is where you will tell us about your degree, work experience and apply for admission. Find out how to create an account.
• Create an SQE assessment account to book your exams and get your results. Find out how.
• Please make sure the names match exactly on the two accounts.

Validate your degree – anytime

• Your degree must be a UK degree or equivalent level 6 qualification and can be in any subject. Find out how we check and validate your degree.
• You can also apply for equivalence to a degree using other qualifications (eg CILEX level 3 qualification) and/or relevant work experience. Find out how to apply for an equivalence.
• If you are a solicitor apprentice, your degree or equivalent level 6 qualification will be validated through your SQE assessment account.

Retrieve SQE assessment results – passed both exams

• You'll need to retrieve your SQE results in mySRA once you have passed all your required assessments. Log into mySRA, and in 'Start a new application' you'll find the ‘Retrieve your SQE results’ application.

Register your qualifying work experience – anytime

• You must register two years' qualifying work experience before you can apply for admission Find out more about recording your work experience.
• If you are a solicitor apprentice, this can be any two-year period within your apprenticeship.

Background checks and suitability – just before applying for admission

• We check your suitability when you are applying for admission. You can also speak to us early if you have any potential concerns.
• You will need to do a background check/screening. Once complete, you are ready to apply for admission. Find out how to apply for screening.

Applying for admission

• When applying, you will choose ‘Solicitors Qualifying Examination route' on the application. Find out more about applying for admission.

Applying for a practising certificate – after choosing your admission date

Once you have chosen your admission date, you can apply for a practising certificate. Find out how to apply.