Nurses and midwives

Choose the route that fits your training

Prepare papers for your route

Know what registration covers

Council role

The South African Nursing Council (SANC) is a statutory body established in terms of the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005). Source: www.sanc.co.za

Community service

For a Professional Nurse graduate seeking independent practice, the requirement is to complete one year of remunerated community service at health establishments as approved by the Minister of Health. Source: www.health.gov.za

Practising certificate

The Annual Practising Certificate (APC) is a document (issued on payment of an annual fee) to nursing and midwifery practitioners and it entitles the person to whom it has been issued to practise in the capacities shown and for the period stated. Source: www.sanc.co.za

Continuing professional development

Failure to meet the Council’s continuing professional development conditions may lead to removal from the register. Source: www.sanc.co.za

Use the checklist for the right route

1. 1Choose your applicant groupUse the local programme, foreign qualification or Community Service group that matches your situation. These routes have different supporting papers. Some papers come from your institution or another registering authority, so allow time to request them. Sources 1: www.sanc.co.za · 2: www.sanc.co.za

Apply after an accredited local programme

1. 1Ask the institution to submit your applicationAfter completing an accredited programme, speak to the person in charge of your nursing education institution. The application must be compiled, checked and submitted directly to the Council by the person in charge of the nursing education institution within 30 days after the date of completion. Use an approved form obtainable from the Council for that purpose. Source: www.sanc.co.za

Follow the Community Service process

1. 1Check the allocation cycleThe ICSP system has an annual cycle and a mid-year cycle. Check the portal for the cycle that applies to your situation. Source: www.health.gov.za
2. 2Use the commencement and registration formsFor commencement, use SANC-8-2 (2026). For registration in the Community Service category, use SANC 4-2 rev 12. Sources 1: www.sanc.co.za · 2: www.sanc.co.za
3. 3Complete the service reportWhen your service ends, use SANC-8-9 (2026). The head of the public health establishment confirms that you completed the required 12-month period of Community Service. Include proof of payment and use payment reference SANC reference number followed by REGFPRA. Source: www.sanc.co.za

SANC fees and the schedule they apply to

Keep your practising certificate current

1. 1Check where your electronic certificate will arriveSANC's electronic APC delivery follows this rule: e-mail to the individual nurses or in a case where the nurse does not have access to email it will be sent by SMS. Source: www.sanc.co.za

Return to the register before practising

1. 1Apply for restoration firstIf you intend to resume practice and are not currently on the register, apply for restoration before practising. For a long absence, SANC may set requirements you need to meet before restoration. Sources 1: www.sanc.co.za · 2: www.sanc.co.za
2. 2Read SANC restoration guidanceCheck the Council’s restoration instructions for your situation.Official instructions Source: www.sanc.co.za

Look for public health vacancies

1. 1Check the National Department of Health vacancies pageOpen the department's vacancy page and read each post's application instructions.Official instructions Source: www.health.gov.za

Open official nursing services

Questions about nursing registration and jobs

Related jobs and forms