24 December 2020

TO:	Heads of Health (Provincial Departments of Health)
	Vice-Chancellors (Universities of South Africa)
	Chief Nursing Officer (National Department of Health)
	Directors of Nursing Services
	Directors of Nursing Education
	Heads of Nursing Education Institutions
	All Stakeholders

Requisites to perform functions relating to the profession of Nursing by Nurse Educators/Lecturers

 

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this correspondence is to reiterate:

1.1 pre-requisites for performing functions relating to the profession of nursing by any person responsible for education and training of nurses and midwives; and

1.2 sanctions/ consequences of non-compliance with the provisions of the Nursing Act and its regulations.

2. LEGAL REQUISITES

2.1 The South African Nursing Council (SANC) is a Statutory Health Professional Council that is mandated to regulate the nursing profession by establishing and maintaining standards of nursing education, training and practice in South Africa. It is an autonomous body established by the Nursing Act, 1944 (Act No. 45 of 1944), and currently operating under the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005).

2.2. The SANC, through the provisions of the Nursing Act, 2005 (the Act), is empowered to, among others:

• accredit nursing education institutions, nursing programmes and monitor assessments by nursing education providers in accordance with this Act or any other law; and
• withdraw or suspend accreditation of a nursing education institution, or nursing programme if the education or training provided does not comply with the prescribed requirements and inform the relevant licensing authority.

2.3. Regulations relating to the Accreditation of Institutions as Nursing Education Institutions (Government Notice No. R 173 of 08 March 2013), prescribes the following requirements, among others:

2(1) An institution may be accredited as a nursing education institution if – 

(a) it has a designated person in charge of the nursing education and training institution who – 

(i) is registered with the Council as a professional nurse;
(ii) has an additional qualification in nursing education;
(iii) is in possession of a management qualification;
(iv) holds at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing; and
(v) holds a nursing qualification that is a level higher than the highest qualification
offered by the nursing education institution or, if the highest qualification offered is a doctoral degree, a nursing qualification at an equal level.

 

2.4 By virtue of the provisions of section 31(3) of the Act, which states that 

“An employer must not employ or keep in his employment a person to perform the functions pertaining to the profession of, other than a person who holds the necessary qualification and who is registered under section (1) or (2)”.

3. SANC ‘S OBSERVATION

It has come to the attention of the Council of the SANC that some employers, especially in the higher education sector, do not comply with the above prescripts in that they:

• employ and retain in their employ, persons who are not registered with the SANC to perform functions relating to the profession of nursing such as education and training of nurses and midwives; and
• appoint persons who do not possess the required qualifications into a position of a Head of Nursing Education Institution or Head of Nursing.

This is in direct violation of the Act and its regulations. Having noted the concern, the Council of the SANC deliberated on the matter at its virtual meeting of 21-22 October 2020 and resolved that communication be sent to relevant persons and authorities to highlight the gravity of the matter.

4. IMPLICATIONS

Non-compliance with the above –mentioned prescripts may result in:

 

• Invalidation of accreditation;
• Criminal charges against the person who employed and retained a person that is not registered with the SANC to perform functions relating to the profession of nursing; and
• Criminal charges against a person who performs functions relating to the nursing profession while not registered with the SANC in one of the prescribed categories.

Employers are therefore urged to comply with the provisions of the Act and its regulations.

5. ENQUIRIES

For further information in respect of this correspondence you are advised to contact Ms SJ Nxumalo, SANC Senior Manager: Education &Training at (012) 420 1022 or on e-mail at: [email protected] 

Yours sincerely,

(Signed)

Ms SA Mchunu
Registrar and CEO
South African Nursing Council

22 December 2020

TO:	National Department of Health
	Provincial Departments of Health
	Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs)
	All stakeholders

Examinations conducted by the South African Nursing Council

 

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this circular is to notify the National Department of Health, Provincial Departments of Health, Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs) and other relevant stakeholders about the following matters pertaining to the examinations that are conducted by the South African Nursing Council:

• Examinations written in October 2020
• Re-writing of failed examination papers/portions
• Late applications for entry into examination
• End date of the SANC-conducted examinations for the legacy nursing qualifications
• SANC examination for the new nursing qualifications

2. EXAMINATIONS WRITTEN IN OCTOBER 2020

2.1 Background

The May 2020 examination was postponed due to the COVID-19 Alert level 5 lockdown. The examination dates were rescheduled and communicated accordingly. The students wrote the postponed examination in October 2020.

2.2 Way forward

• Students who were not successful in the October 2020 examination will rewrite in May 2021; and
• Students who were successful in the October 2020 examination will write the final examination in November 2021.

3. RE-WRITING OF FAILED EXAMINATION PAPERS/PORTIONS

This serves to remind the NEIs that irrespective of the phasing out of the legacy nursing qualifications, the procedure to be followed by the candidates for re-writing of failed examination papers or portions remains the same, i.e.

3.1 A candidate who has failed a portion/paper in the Council examination for the first time follows the process outlined below:

3.1.1 Re-entry into any of the two consecutive examinations after publication of the examination results

• An examination application form and prescribed fee must be submitted to the Council by the NEI;
• These submissions must be made within the prescribed time frames;
• Credits of the passed portion/paper will be retained; and
• A candidate who has failed twice may be offered academic support by the Nursing Education Institution (NEI) in preparation for the third re-entry into an examination. The NEI will keep and maintain records of such academic support. 3.1.2. A candidate who after three attempts (full academic year) fails the

3.1.2. A candidate who after three attempts (full academic year) fails the examination, re-registers for the course and resumes training.

4. LATE APPLICATIONS FOR ENTRY TO EXAMINATION

4.1 Background
The examination schedule which also outlines the closing dates for admission of students to the examination is published in advance during the last quarter of each calendar year for the examination to be conducted during the following year. 

4.1.2 In terms of section (4) (1) of the Regulations relating to the examinations of the South African Nursing Council (Government Notice No. R7. of 8 of January 1993 as amended) on application for admission to an examination, “A candidate shall submit to the Council an application for admission to an examination not later than the seventh day of the month, three months prior to the month in which the examination is to be conducted”.

4.1.3 In terms of section (4)(2): An application for admission to an examination submitted later than the date referred to in sub-regulation (1) may be accepted by the Council-

• if it is submitted within seven days of the date referred to in sub-regulation (1) and is accompanied by the late entry fee prescribed by regulation 16(c); or
• if, in the case of a candidate who has failed one or more portions of an examination but who qualifies for a further examination, it is submitted before or on the date which shall be published together with the results of the examination in which the candidate failed, in which case no late entry fee shall be payable.

4.2 Council resolution 

At the virtual meeting held on 21-22 October 2020 the Council resolved that the NEI, not the students, should be responsible for payment of such late registration fees referred to in section 4.1 above.

4.3 Implications for future examinations

4.3.1 The examination section has been inundated with late submissions of applications which are outside the stipulations as indicated in sections 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 above. This creates an administrative nightmare for the examination section. The practice also exposes SANC to risks. 
It is on this basis that from the year 2021, the following will apply

 

• NO EXAMINATION APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED WHICH IS OUTSIDE THE EXAMINATION REGULATIONS AS STATED IN SECTIONS
• 4.1.2 AND 4.1.3 ABOVE. NEIs must strictly adhere to the examination schedule that is published on a yearly basis.

4.3.2 NEIs which fail to apply for students’ examination entry as per published examination schedule will be liable for any litigation that may ensue since the affected students will not write the examination.

5. END DATE OF THE SANC CONDUCTED EXAMINATIONS FOR THE LEGACY QUALIFICATIONS

5.1 Background

5.1.1 Circular 3/2020, issued on 28 January 2020 indicated that the end dates of the SANC conducted legacy examinations will be announced in March 2020. The examination dates were not communicated because of the uncertainties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

5.1.2 The last examination dates are as reflected in the table below:

Type of Examination	Last Examination Date
Examination for the Bridging Course for Enrolled Nurses leading to registration as a General or Psychiatric Nurse, in line with Government Notice No. R.683 of 14 April 1989 (as amended).	November 2023
Examination for the course leading to registration as a Midwife, in line with Government Notice No. R.254 of 14 February 1975 (as amended).	November 2022
Final examination for the course leading to registration as a Psychiatric Nurse, in line with Government Notice No. R.880 of 02 May 1975 (as amended)	November 2022
Examination for the Diploma Course in Clinical Nursing Science, Health Assessment, Treatment and Care, in line with Government Notice No. R.48 of 22 January 1982 (as amended).	November 2022
Admission examination for foreign applicants for the following:  Registration as a Nurse.	November 2023

5.2 Implications

5.2.1 The NEI should bring the contents of this circular to the attention of students.

5.2.2 The end dates will not be changed under any circumstances.

5.2.3 The NEIs and the students should be aware that from beginning of 2024 onwards the SANC will no longer conduct summative examinations for the above nursing programmes as well as the admission examination for foreign applicants/nurses.

6. SANC examination for the new nursing qualifications

6.1. Background

6.1.1 Circular 3/2020 issued on 28 January 2020 communicated future examination practices of SANC for the new nursing qualifications.

6.1.2 Students who are enrolled for the new nursing programmes will be required to write and pass the licensure examination on completion of training before their names are entered in the SANC register.

6.1.3 The licensure examination system is still under way. The Council, at its virtual meeting approved the project to conduct nursing practice analysis/task analysis which will inform the blue print for the licensure examination.

6.1.4 Students who are currently undergoing and are due to complete the Higher certificate in Nursing will however take up the SANC-conducted examination for professional entry in May/November 2021.

6.1.5 Foreign applicants/nurses will also be required to write and pass the licensure examination before they are entered in the SANC register at the beginning of 2024.

6.2 The examination dates

Examination	Examination Dates	Closing dates for examination applications
Examination for the Higher certificate in Nursing in line with Government Notice No. R.169 of 8 March 2013	5 May 2021	2 April 2021
	3 November 2021	7 August 2021

6.3 Implications

6.3.1. NEIs should submit the Completion records by 15 March 2021 as only students who were successful will be considered for the examination.
6.3.2. Students have a choice to select the examination date that suit their needs.
6.3.3. NEIs should submit the examination applications on behalf of the students who intend to write the May 2021 examination as indicated in the schedule above.
6.3.4. Students will be responsible to download the examination application form on the SANC website at www.sanc.co.za in case they choose to write the examination other than May 2021. The form together with proof of payment of applicable examination fees should be emailed to [email protected].
6.3.5. The examination will for now be conducted at the NEI where one was enrolled for the programme.
6.3.6. The examination question paper will be based on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria of the programme.
6.3.7. The students will be required to hand over the examination question paper after writing.
6.3.8. Only one examination paper of 100 marks will be written.

7. IMPLEMENTATION

This Circular becomes implementable and valid on the date of issue. For further information in respect of this Circular, you are advised to contact Ms SJ Nxumalo, SANC Senior Manager: Education &Training at (012) 420 1022 or on e-mail at: [email protected].

Yours sincerely,

(Signed)

Ms SA Mchunu
Registrar and CEO
South African Nursing Council

30 November 2020 TO: National Department of Health   Provincial Departments of Health   Nursing Education Institutions   All Stakeholders South African Nursing Council – Year-end closure   The South African Nursing Council offices will be closed for the year-end from Thursday, 24 December 2020 at 12:00 midday, and re-open on Monday, 04 January 2021 at 08:00 am. Kindly note that on 24 December, for operational reasons the gates will be closed at 11: 00 am already. Annual fees must be paid into the Council’s bank account on or before 31 December 2020 to avoid restoration fees – note that banks take up to three (3) days to clear payments and thus all bank electronic transfers need to be made by 24 December to ensure it reaches the SANC by 31 December 2020.  The SANC banking details are: Name of bank : First National Bank Account number : 514 211 86 193 Branch code : 253145 Reference : Person’s own SANC Reference Number followed by ANLFEES Whilst waiting for the Annual Practising Certificate to be posted by the SANC, the employer can verify the registration status of the practitioner through the SANC website by logging into the SANC eRegister at https://www.sanc.co.za/eregister/  To do this, they will require the practitioner’s SANC reference number or Identity Number (ID No). Yours sincerely, (Signed) Ms SA Mchunu Registrar and CEO South African Nursing Council

6 November 2020   TO: National Department of Health   Provincial Departments of Health   Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs)   All Stakeholders   Extension of  Education and Training to meet outstanding clinical requirements   1. PURPOSE The purpose of this circular is to notify the National Department of Health, Provincial Departments of Health, Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs) and other relevant stakeholders about the Council’s resolution regarding extension of education and training to meet outstanding clinical requirements resulting from an interruption in clinical education and training during national lockdown. 2. BACKGROUND 2.1. The effect of measures which were instituted to limit the spread of Corona Virus resulted in limited clinical placement for students. NEIs have indicated that to a certain degree online facilitation of theoretical learning was possible though some challenges were also experienced. The main challenge that was highlighted was regarding clinical placement of students in order to meet the clinical requirements during the current academic year especially during level 5 lockdown. Some of the challenges included the following: Some Nurse Educators and students tested positive and had to self-isolate; Close contact of the Nurse Educators and students who tested positive had to be on quarantine; Some units/wards were turned into COVID-19 facilities leading to reduction of platforms for clinical learning experiences that were planned; Limited access to clinical facilities by students created by a need to observe social distancing; and Other facilities allowed students to be placed during the week but not during weekends and holidays. 2.2. In the light of the above, the Council at its virtual meeting of 21-22 October 2020, resolved that in order to ensure that all the clinical requirements are met for the different nursing programmes, NEIs should consider extending the period of training to 31 March 2021. The Council further resolved that where simulation is used, it should be well structured and should not be more than 20% of the total clinical hours / work-integrated learning (WIL) per programme. This is to ensure that most clinical hours/WIL credits are acquired in the real life situation. 3. IMPLICATION The NEIs that have already assessed their needs and made a determination should not be affected by this circular. In line with this circular, records of extended training and declarations for students who will complete in March 2021 must be submitted to the SANC in May 2021. 4. IMPLEMENTATION This Circular becomes implementable and valid on the date of issue. For further information in respect of this Circular, you are advised to contact Ms SJ Nxumalo, SANC Senior Manager: Education & Training at (012) 420 1022 or on e-mail at: [email protected] Yours sincerely, (Signed) Ms SA Mchunu Registrar and CEO South African Nursing Council

21 October 2020

TO: Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs)   Nursing Stakeholders   South African Nursing Council Examination Schedule – 2021   Attached is the Examination Schedule for 2021. Kindly take note of the following requirements applicable to the SANC examinations: The closing date for the examinations should be strictly adhered to and no exceptions or allowances will be made to extend these dates. Only registered learners will be eligible for an examination: The Head of the Nursing Education Institution (NEI) must ensure that all learners are registered with the SANC within the prescribed period. Foreign applicants apply as individuals but will have to adhere to the prescribed period. Candidates will not be registered for an examination with only an identity number. SANC reference numbers are needed in all cases. Please follow up with the SANC Registration Section first, if learners are registered for the course before registering them for an examination. The SANC will only process applications for entry into the South African Nursing Council examination that meet the following requirements:  a) The Examination Application Form is completed in full, accurately and signed by the relevant person/s. The surname and given names must be those appearing in the identity document.  b) All the required documentation to be included. c) There is proof of payment of prescribed examination fees into the SANC bank account, such payment must be done by the NEI (group payment) and not by learners, except for foreign candidates. Banking details are as follows: Name of Bank:     First National Bank Account number:  51425166282 (Current Account) Branch:                 Corporate Core Banking – Pretoria Branch code:        210-554 Reference:           NEI S-number followed by the type of fee code ‘EXAMFEE’ The correct reference must appear on all deposits to expedite the processing of your payment. The code ‘EXAMFEE’ must only be used for payment in respect of examination fee. This code must not be used for any other types of payment. Here is an example of what a correct reference will look like for an NEI with S-number S12345:          S12345EXAMFEE NB: The Head of the NEI must ensure that payment of fees by their Provincial Department of Health or Head Office is made separately for each NEI and for each specific examination. Provincial bulk payments without specifications create administrative challenges and cause a delay in processing of the applications. Only those candidates that have been issued an examination timetable/number will be eligible to write the SANC examination. All practical MARK SHEETS must be submitted to the SANC by registered mail/courier by the end of the month in which the examination is written. If the PRACTICAL MARK SHEETS in a SANC format are not submitted on time, the examination results will be published without the practical marks, hence qualification certificate will not be issued to the affected candidates. The SANC requests invigilators not to enclose the practical mark sheet or any other documents with the examination package. The SANC reserves the right to cancel an examination reflected on the schedule if there are insufficient candidates for such an examination. The SANC requests the NEIs to inform all their candidates of the outcome of the examination results once published. No examination results will be given out telephonically by the office of the SANC. However, candidates will receive results via text messages (SMS).   NB: Examination fees are non-refundable according to Regulations regarding fees and fines payable to the South African Nursing Council (Government Notice No.R.170 of 8 March 2013)   (Signed) Ms SA Mchunu Registrar and CEO South African Nursing Council

 

13 August 2020

 

TO:	National Department of Health
	Provincial Departments of Health
	Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs)
	All Stakeholders

Rescheduling of postponed May 2020 examinations conducted by the South African Nursing Council

 

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Circular is to:

1.1 Inform the National Department of Health, Provincial Departments of Health, Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs) and relevant stakeholders about the resolution of the Council regarding the re-scheduling of the previously postponed May 2020 SANC- conducted examinations;

1.2 Inform the Heads of the NEIs on the amendment of Circular 9/2019; and 

1.3 Provide NEIs with a revised schedule for the next examinations.

2. BACKGROUND

The SANC published Circular 9 of 2019 on the 11th of December 2019, to which a schedule of examinations for 2020 was attached. The SANC later communicated a postponement of examinations that were to be conducted in May 2020. This was subsequent to the pronouncement by the State President, of an extension of the national lockdown to the end of April. The lockdown was further extended beyond April 2020. 

The SANC has always acted strictly in compliance with the Government’s regulations and directives published under the Disaster Management Act, 57 of 2002. It needs to be noted that, it was through these regulations that sectors and services were classified as essential services. It was through the same regulations that the implementation of the Risk Adjusted Strategy was implemented, gradually allowing controlled reopening of the country’s activities. It is regrettable that a few of our own professionals may have misread and/or misunderstood the Government’s legislation and guidelines, the SANC could not deliberately disregard Government’s legislation and thus it is in compliance with same that the current situation has unfolded and herewith further addressed.

The South African Nursing Council (SANC) had initially scheduled its national examinations for May and November 2020. Upon the pronouncement of the National State of Disaster by the President, and subsequently national lockdown on the 23rd of March 2020, the SANC was compelled to postpone the May examinations. Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs) as well as affected student nurses and student midwives were informed. Further, SANC Circular 6/2020 on postponement of examinations was sent to all stakeholders in April 2020.

Observing the Risk-adjusted Strategy on management of the COVID-19 pandemic and in compliance with regulations that provide for restrictions on gatherings (including academic) in the country as published under the Disaster Management Act, 57 of 2002 from time to time, the SANC has re-assessed the conducting of national examinations.

Other factors that were considered included the following:

•	The SANC has between eighty-one (81) and ninety-three (93) approved examination centres throughout the country (depending on the qualification);
•	Most of these centres accommodate more than fifty (50) students at a time, with a current maximum of two hundred and sixty-six (266) students. This exceeds the prescribed number of people in any gathering under Alert level 3 Risk-Adjusted Strategy;
•	Re-opening of additional examination centres;
•	Possible risk of the spread of infection especially during this period; and
•	Safety of the Nurse Educators and students.

3. COUNCIL RESOLUTION 

The Council deliberated on the matter at its virtual meeting held on 29-30 July 2020 and resolved as follows:

•	The postponed May 2020 SANC examinations are to be rescheduled for October 2020.

This will give ample time to NEIs and students to adequately prepare for the examination.

 

4. DATES FOR THE FORTHCOMING EXAMINATIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

4.1 First Year Examination for the Bridging Course for Enrolled Nurses leading to Registration as General Nurse or Psychiatric Nurse- Government Notice No. R.683 of 14 April 1989 (as amended)

Paper 1	07/10/2020
Paper 2	09/10/2020

4.2 Final Examinations for the course leading to Registration as Midwife- Government Notice No. R.254 of 14 February 1975 (as amended)

Paper 1	05/10/2020
Paper 2	07/10/2020
Paper 3	09/10/2020

4.3 Final Examination for the course leading to Registration as Psychiatric Nurse: One-year course – Government Notice No.R.880 of 2 May 1975 (as amended)

Paper 1	05/10/2020
Paper 2	07/10/2020
Paper 3	09/10/2020

4.4 Final Examination for the Bridging Course for Enrolled Nurses leading to Registration as General Nurse or Psychiatric Nurse- Government Notice No. R.683 of 14 April 1989 (as amended)

Paper 1	21/10/2020
Paper 2	23/10/2020

4.5 Examinations for the course for the Diploma in Clinical Nursing Science, Health Assessment, Treatment and Care- Government Notice No. R.48 of 22 January 1982 (as amended) 

Paper 1	21/10/2020
Paper 2	23/10/2020

4.6 Admission Examination for Foreign Applicants for registration as a Nurse

23/10/2020

5. IMPLICATIONS

Conducting national examinations during this period will require, among others the following:

•	NEIs must comply with all relevant COVID-19 Regulations in respect of the examination venues in order to ensure that students and invigilators are protected from possible COVID-19 infection. This requires preparation and procurement of essentials that may be additional for most NEIs;
•	NEIs to submit evidence of how they ensured teaching during lockdown especially during April and May 2020;
•	Examination centres with larger numbers of students are specifically instructed to ensure that all social distancing, ventilation and any other regulations and directives are complied with at the examination facility and during the exam; and
•	The examination dates for November 2020 examination remains the same as communicated as per circular 9/2019

6. ENQUIRIES

For further information in respect of this Circular, you are advised to contact Ms SJ Nxumalo, SANC Senior Manager: Education & Training at (012) 420 1022 or on e-mail at: [email protected]
OR
Ms E Magagula, Manager: Assessment at (012) 426 9596 or on email at: [email protected]

 

Yours sincerely,

(Signed)

Ms SA Mchunu
Registrar and CEO
South African Nursing Council

 

6 August 2020

TO:	National Department of Health
	Provincial Departments of Health
	Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs)
	All Stakeholders

 

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS BY NURSING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS FOR ACCREDITATION OF POST-GRADUATE DIPLOMA PROGRAMMES LEADING TO REGISTRATION AS A NURSE OR MIDWIFE SPECIALIST 

 

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this circular is to:

1.1 Remind/alert Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs) of the promulgation of regulations relating to the above-mentioned nursing programmes, thus enabling them to submit applications for accreditation of the said programmes to the South African Nursing Council (SANC); and

1.2 Notify the National Department of Health, Provincial Departments of Health, Nursing Education Institutions and other relevant stakeholders of the availability of education and training guidelines for the programmes.

 

2. BACKGROUND

2.1 Promulgation of the Regulations Relating to the Approval of and the Minimum Requirements for the Education and Training of a Student Leading to Registration as a Nurse Specialist or Midwife Specialist by the Minister of Health, on 5 June 2020 (Government Notice No. R. 635 of 5 June 2020) enables Nursing Education Institutions to design and submit the applications, for accreditation of programmes, mentioned above.

2.2 The Council has approved education and training guidelines for the said programmes, in order to provide further guidance and facilitate the accreditation process. The guidelines are already posted on the SANC website: www.sanc.co.za

 

3. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

3.1 Nursing Education Institutions that have completed the design of their programmes should submit their applications for accreditation of programmes to the SANC as soon as possible, as the SANC is expecting an influx of applications, considering urgent need for Nurse Specialists and Midwife Specialists in the country; 

3.2 NEIs are implored to submit complete documents at the outset in order to avoid delays caused by sending the documents back to the NEIs, sometimes more than once; 

3.3 Only hard copies shall be accepted;

3.4 The application(s) should be accompanied by proof of payment in terms of the Board Notice regarding the fees and fines payable to SANC for year 2021 as no programme will be evaluated without such proof of payment. (Find attached for ease of reference); and

3.5 NEIs are reminded of the content of the collaborative agreement between the SANC and the Council on Higher Education (CHE), sent to the NEIs on 26 August 2019. One specific provision indicated that the CHE will no longer accept any applications from nursing education providers that do not have a letter of approval from the SANC.

 

4. IMPLEMENTATION

This circular becomes implementable and valid on the date of issue.

 

5. FURTHER ENQUIRIES

For further information in respect of this circular, you are advised to contact Ms SJ Nxumalo, SANC Senior Manager: Education &Training at (012) 420 1022 or on e-mail at: [email protected] 

Yours sincerely,

(Signed)

Ms SA Mchunu
Registrar and CEO
South African Nursing Council

 

23 July 2020

1. ANNUAL FEES FOR 2021

1.1 NORMAL ANNUAL FEES

The annual fees for the calendar year 2021 for different categories of practitioners are provided in the table below:

CATEGORY	ANNUAL FEE FOR 2021
Registered Nurses and Midwives	R700.00
Enrolled Nurses and Midwives	R418.00
Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries	R293.00

1.2 REDUCTIONS IN ANNUAL FEES FOR AGE 60 AND OVER

The Council has resolved to introduce reduced fees for nurses 60 years of age and over as per the table below:

1.2.1 60 TO 64 YEARS OF AGE ON 1 JANUARY 2021 (25% REDUCTION)

CATEGORY	ANNUAL FEE FOR 2021
Registered Nurses and Midwives	R525.00
Enrolled Nurses and Midwives	R314.00
Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries	R220.00

1.2.2 65 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER ON 01 JANUARY 2021 (50% REDUCTION)

CATEGORY	ANNUAL FEE FOR 2021
Registered Nurses and Midwives	R350.00
Enrolled Nurses and Midwives	R209.00
Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries	R157.00

NB: To qualify for the discount amounts, practitioners may be required to submit a certified copy of their identity document in order to confirm their age.

Notes: 

The annual fees for 2021 must be received by the SANC on or before 31 December 2020.

The amounts in the tables above all include 15% VAT.

 

2. RESTORATION FEES FOR 2021

The restoration fees for different categories applicable from 1 January 2021 are shown in the following table.

CATEGORY	NORMAL RESTORATION FEE	REDUCED RESTORATION FEE
Registered Nurses and Midwives	R2 100.00	R146.00
Enrolled Nurses and Midwives	R1 254.00	R146.00
Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries	R878.00	R146.00
Retired Nurses	R146.00	R146.00

Notes:

 

The reduced restoration fee only applies to a practitioner:

•	Who must have been removed from the register at his/her own request; or
•	Who must be 60 years of age or older on 1 January 2021. However, this must be confirmed with the Council before paying the reduced amount.

3. VOLUNTARY REMOVAL

A Nurse Practitioner who no longer wishes to practise in South Africa or who is unemployed, may request, in writing, a voluntary removal of his/her name from the register, by completing the form available from the SANC. If a voluntary removal is granted by the SANC, the nurse practitioner’s name will be removed accordingly on the 31 December of the year in which the application is received. Once removed, the nurse practitioner will no longer be required to pay annual fees while he/she is removed from the register. 

If the nurse practitioner requires reinstatement onto the register, he/she will, in addition to paying the reduced restoration fee, be required to complete a Restoration Form. It must be noted that practising while not being registered is illegal.

 

4. CLOSING DATE FOR PAYMENT OF ANNUAL FEES

Please note that for the calendar year 2021, the closing date for the payment of annual fees is 31 December 2020. Payments must reach the SANC bank account on or before the closing date. You are, therefore, urged not to leave payment for the last minute to avoid problems associated with making payments at year end. Remember: Bank transfers from non-FNB banks may take up to 3 working days and you are therefore advised to pay well in advance to meet 31 December 2020 deadline.

 

5. OTHER FEES

Please note that other fees and fees payable by institutions will be applicable with effect from 01 January 2021.

 

6. PERSAL DEDUCTIONS

The signing of Resolution 3 of 2019 in September 2019 by the National Department of Health together with major trade unions in Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bargaining Council (PHSDSBC) brought into effect the implementation of Persal deductions in 2020 for all employees falling under the scope of the PHSDSBC.

As a result of this agreement, affected nurse practitioners are urged not to pay the annual fees on their own as the employers are required to pay on their behalf in terms of Resolution 3 of 2019. 

 

7. eREGISTER

The SANC has made an eRegister facility available on the SANC website which can be utilised by employers to verify the registration status of all nurse practitioners in their employment. Employers are urged to utilise this facility in the absence of a physical Annual Practising Certificate (APC). Visit: https://www.sanc.co.za/eRegister.aspx for more details. 

8. COMMUNITY SERVICE PRACTITIONERS

Community Service Practitioners are not eligible to be issued with an APC and therefore should NOT pay annual fees. They MUST pay a conversion fee on completion of their Community Service in order to be registered as Nurse Practitioners using the REGFPRA registration fee code instead of ANLFEES (e.g. 12345678REGFPRA).