FAQs for training providers

Becoming a training provider

What are the requirements for becoming authorised as a training provider
You must be able to: More

• provide training and experience in at least three distinct areas of English and Welsh law and practice

• enable a trainee to develop the skills needed to meet the Practice Skills Standards and comply with the Principles

• provide appropriate supervision

• meet all the requirements of recognised training set out in Regulation 12 of the SRA Training Regulations 2014.

If you wish to make an application to become an authorised training provider, you should complete and return (with the authorisation fee) a Training Provider Application (PRT1).

Information can be found in our Authorised training provider information pack.

What is the fee for applying to become a training provider?
The current fee is £100. More

What is the fee for notifying the SRA of a period of recognised training?
The current fee is £100 per trainee. More

Once authorised as a training provider, how long does the authorisation last?
Authorisation lasts for the lifetime of the organisation. More

We retain the right to apply conditions to any approval and, if we have serious concerns about the quality of training being provided, revoke authorisation altogether.

How many trainees can I take?
There is no restriction as long as you can meet all of the requirements for training. More

Who can be a Training Principal?
Training principals must be a solicitor of England and Wales with a current practising certificate, or a practising barrister. They must be nominated by the training provider, and be competent for the role. More

A solicitor who is exempt from holding a practising certificate under Section 88 of the Solicitors Act 1974, is also exempt from the requirement to hold a practising certificate under the Training Regulations 13.1(a).

Further information can be found in our Authorised training provider information pack.

What do we need to do if there is a change in the Training Principal?
You must notify us in the Declaration of a new Training Principal form of any change in the Training Principal. More

What salary must we pay trainees?
Trainees must be paid at least the single hourly rate for employees under the National Minimum Wage Regulations. More

Salary and annual leave issues are a matter of employment law. These should be included in the terms and conditions of the employment contract.

Do we have to pay for the Professional Skills Course (PSC)?
You must pay the fees and expenses for the trainees' first attempt at the PSC as set out in regulation 10.2(e) of the 2014 Training Regulations. More

Period of recognised training (training providers)

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Do I have to notify the SRA that a trainee has commenced a period of recognised training, and if so, when?
Yes, you should notify us that a trainee has commenced a period of recognised training on the Training Notification (PRT3) form. More

This should be at least 30 days before the start of the period of recognised training.

The fee is £100.

Can we recognise previous work-based experience when we agree a period of recognised training?
You can, at your discretion, recognise relevant prior experience and take this time into account to reduce the period of training. This is known as relevant work-based experience. You can recognise relevant work-based experience on a like-for-like basis up to a maximum of six months (183 calendar days). More

Part-time experience is calculated pro rata; for example a trainee who worked two and a half days per week for six months may be awarded a three month reduction to their training period.

The experience needs to have been gained in the three years preceding the period of recognised training.

Further information can be found in our Authorised training provider information pack.

How do trainees record their training?
We do not prescribe how the trainees record their training, only that a training record is maintained. It should link the experience they have gained to the skills they have developed. The supervisor must verify the record. More

You may wish to use the sample training record in our Authorised Training Provider information pack.

Who can sign off the declaration at the completion of training?
It is normally the Training Principal. More

If they are absent due to holiday or sickness, the declaration can be signed by another manager of the firm.

They must have been with the firm for the duration of your training. The firm should include a letter of explanation.

How long should a period of recognised training be?
The total length of time spent training depends on the usual number of days worked each week (not including overtime or weekend work). A full-time training period, in which the trainee works five days per week, is for two years (730 calendar days, or 522 working days). More

So, as a guide, if the trainee works:

two and a half days per week, the period is four years (1,460 calendar days)
three days per week, the period is three years and four months (1,216 calendar days)
four days per week, the period is two years and six months (913 calendar days)

Can a trainee be seconded to another firm as part of their period of recognised training?
Yes, if you cannot provide the trainee with experience in three separate areas of law or experience required by the Practice Skills Standards, you must arrange for the trainee to be seconded. More

Secondments can also be arranged where you can provide the required range of experience, but you feel that they would benefit from time spent at a client company.

Secondments do not have to be approved by us.

Further information can be found in our Authorised training provider information pack.

We have a trainee who commenced their training contract under the 2011 regulations and we wish for them to be assessed under the 2014 training regulations. Can we do this?
Yes. Training contracts registered under the SRA Training Regulations 2011 and entered into on or before 30 June 2014 can be transitioned to the SRA Training Regulations 2014. More

This should be a mutual agreement between you as the training provider and the trainee.

If you wish to transition a trainee you should complete the form Transition from 2011 to 2014 SRA Training Regulations.

Who pays for the Professional Skills Course?
The training provider pays for a trainee's first attempt and expenses as set out in regulation 10.2(e) of the 2014 Training Regulations. More