Planning
How long does it take to sell a practice? A realistic timeline
5 min read · Updated October 2026
Most practice sales take six to ten months from valuation to closing. Strong practices in high-demand markets can move faster; specialty practices, rural locations and complex structures can take a year or more. But the most important part of the timeline happens before you ever go to market.
Two to three years out: prepare
- Clean up and normalize your financial statements.
- Reduce owner dependence by adding or developing associates.
- Secure your lease or plan your real-estate strategy.
- Talk to your accountant about the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption and corporate clean-up, which can take 24 months.
- Deal with equipment that will need replacing soon.
The sale process
| Stage | Typical timing |
|---|---|
| Consultation, valuation and preparation | 2–6 weeks |
| Confidential marketing and buyer meetings | 4–8 weeks |
| Offers, negotiation and letter of intent | 3–6 weeks |
| Due diligence, financing and legal documents | 6–12 weeks |
| Closing and transition | Closing day, then weeks to years depending on your role |
What slows deals down
- Financial statements that need to be redone or explained.
- Landlords who are slow to consent to a lease assignment.
- Records, licensing or college requirements discovered late.
- Buyer financing hurdles. Lenders look closely at lease term and normalized cash flow.
- Sellers who haven't decided what they want their post-sale role to be.
Sources
This guide is general information for Canadian practice owners and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules vary by province and profession.