Senior writer
The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, has confirmed the approval of targeted extensions for selected pre-2009 legacy qualifications, providing welcome relief for candidate property practitioners, training providers and the broader real estate sector.
The announcement forms part of a broader government directive on transitional arrangements for pre-2009 qualifications, published under the National Qualifications Framework Act (Act 67 of 2008). Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria on 11 June 2026, Manamela confirmed that qualifying programmes would receive targeted extensions ranging from six months to 24 months, depending on learner impact, sector readiness and the availability of replacement qualifications.
The Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA) has welcomed the announcement, noting that it does not adversely affect the real estate sector and provides both current and prospective property practitioners with the opportunity to enrol for, complete and submit proof of completion of the relevant qualifications within prescribed regulatory timelines.
The NQF 4 extension
The key outcome for the real estate sector is a 24-month extension of the Services SETA Qualification 59097: Further Education and Training Certificate (FETC): Real Estate (NQF Level 4). New enrolments, which had been due to close on 30 June 2026, may now be accepted until 30 June 2028, with the last date for achievement of the qualification set at 30 June 2029.
The extension does not alter the PPRA’s prescribed regulatory timeframes for qualification completion and Professional Designation Examinations (PDEs). A newly registered candidate property practitioner who enrols for the NQF 4 qualification continues to have 12 months from the date of issue of their Fidelity Fund Certificate (FFC) to complete the qualification, and a further three months after obtaining the qualification to complete PDE 4.
In practical terms, the extension allows new entrants to continue on the familiar NQF 4 pathway rather than being required to move immediately to the Occupational Certificate: Real Estate Agent (NQF Level 4, Qualification ID 118714). That occupational qualification remains available, with enrolments open until 31 December 2026 and a completion deadline of 31 December 2029.
No extension for NQF 5
The Minister did not grant a corresponding extension for the Legacy National Certificate: Real Estate (NQF Level 5) (Qualification ID 20188). The last date for new enrolments under this qualification remains 30 June 2026, and the PPRA has urged practitioners who intend to enrol to do so immediately with an accredited Skills Development Provider. Accreditation status can be verified on the Services SETA website (serviceseta.org.za) or the QCTO website (qcto.org.za).
Practitioners who do not enrol before the deadline will be required to pursue principal status through the Higher Occupational Certificate: Principal Real Estate Agent (NQF Level 5, Qualification ID 121691), which has an enrolment deadline of 30 January 2030 and a completion deadline of 30 January 2033.
The PPRA’s regulatory requirements for NQF 5 and PDE 5 remain unchanged. Aspirant principal property practitioners who hold full status as non-principal property practitioners must acquire the NQF 4 qualification before proceeding with NQF 5, and must hold the NQF 5 qualification before applying for registration as a principal property practitioner. PDE 5 must similarly be completed before any such application, and practitioners must have completed both NQF 4 and NQF 5 and passed PDE 4 before they are eligible to sit PDE 5.
For currently registered principal property practitioners, NQF 5 and PDE 5 must be completed before the expiry of the current FFC. Where the FFC has already expired or the practitioner has de-registered, both must be completed before applying for renewal, re-registration or the issuance of a new FFC.
Practical reminders from the PPRA
Candidate property practitioners will be required to submit a letter co-signed by their principals or mentors, confirming that they have completed their six practical training modules. The letter template can be accessed here.
Candidate property practitioners who have been awarded an equivalency exemption and mandated to do practical training will be required to complete practical training within 180 days of being issued a fidelity fund certificate (FFC). The modules to be completed are listed in the Guidelines for the Implementation of Practical Training, available on the PPRA website.
Certified copies of completed qualifications and statements of results should be submitted to upgrades@theppra.org.za. Property practitioners are also required to submit certified letters of completion of their practical modules to practicaltraining@theppra.org.za. Practitioners who qualify for educational exemptions may submit applications to exemptions@theppra.org.za.
Industry response
The sector has broadly welcomed the NQF 4 extension as a practical measure that reduces barriers to entry while the transition to the occupational qualification framework continues. The absence of relief at NQF 5 level has, however, drawn concern. At a time when South Africa’s stated policy goals include promoting entrepreneurship, transformation and small business development, practitioners who aspire to establish their own agencies are among those most directly affected.
The full list of extended qualifications is available at saqa.org.za. The PPRA’s public notice is available at theppra.org.za.
