South African Qualifications Authority(SAQA)

The South African Qualifications Authority is a statutory body, regulated in terms of the National Qualifications Framework Act No. 67 of 2008. It is made up of 29 members appointed by the Minister of Education in consultation with the Minister of Labour.

SAQA MeaningSAQA LoginSAQA Website
SAQA CertificateSAQA EvaluationSAQA NQF Levels
SAQA Contact DetailsSAQA VerificationSAQA Registration
SAQA Unit StandardsSAQA AccreditationSAQA Online Application
SAQA VacanciesSAQA QualificationSAQA Application Forms

VISION, MISSION AND VALUES

VISION

A world-class National Qualifications Framework that works for the people in South Africa
 

MISSION

To oversee the further development and implementation of the National Qualifications Framework, and advance its objectives which contribute to the full development of each lifelong learner and the social and economic development of the nation at large

VALUES

  • Social and Economic Transformation
  • Integration
  • High Energy and Corporate Vibrancy
  • Quality Service
  • Integrity
  • Quality Qualifications
  • Environmental Sustainability

CONTACT US

HEAD OFFICE – PRETORIA

Switchboard
Tel: 012 431 5000

  Street Address

SAQA House
1067 Arcadia Street, Hatfield
Pretoria
 Location

  Postal Address

Postnet Suite 248
Private Bag X06
Waterkloof, 0145

FAQ (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)

Verification of South African Qualifications

How do I communicate with SAQA for verification services?

​​​​​​All communication for verification services should be done electronically:

No emails should be sent to individual SAQA staff members as this results in duplication and lengthens the verification process.

What is an Extract from the National Learners’ Records Database and how different is it from a Verification Letter?

An extract from the National Learners’ Records Database (NLRD) is a copy of the information recorded under your name on the NLRD. It may not contain all the qualifications or part-qualifications you obtained. SAQA strives to keep the NLRD up-to-date.

Qualifications and part-qualifications are only recorded on the NLRD after they have been quality-assured and authenticated. An Extract from the NLRD is not a verification as it may not contain all your achievements.

How long does it take to verify a South African qualification?

Verification takes from 2 to 20 working days depending on the priority selected and availability of the record on the NLRD. The standard for verification is to find a result within 20 working days where after the request will be closed as “inconclusive”. You will pay the discounted tariff if it takes longer than the requested priority to finalise the verification.

SAQA receive data from all registered education institutions and can find the achievement record with fieldwork even if it is not recorded on the NLRD yet. However, some qualifications are difficult to verify as they are stored in archives.

What are the different verification services that SAQA offers?

SAQA offers the following verification services to employers, learners, and other clients at a cost.

  1. Verification Letters for individuals

This service is for individuals who need a verification letter confirming their tertiary qualifications obtained in South Africa. The verification letter is for qualifications or part-qualifications registered on the NQF and NOT for short courses and professional designations.

To access this service click on this link: http://verisearch.saqa.org.za/Individuals.aspx

  1. Private Sector Clients (Employers)

This service is for Private Sector Employers who want to authenticate the qualifications of candidates or existing employees. Short courses and professional designations are not included in this service. The evaluation of foreign qualifications is a separate service.

To access the services and the procedures to follow, you can click on the link http://verisearch.saqa.org.za/ClientMenuPage.aspx

  1. Public Sector Clients (Employers)

This service is for Public Sector Employers who want to authenticate the qualifications of candidates or existing employees. Short courses and professional designations are not included in this service. The evaluation of foreign qualifications is a separate service.

To access the services and the procedures to follow, you can click on this link:  

http://verisearch.saqa.org.za/PublicMenuPage.aspx

  1. What is VeriSearch?

VeriSearch is the access portal for verification clients that signed a contract with SAQA where they can access their verification results in a secure and confidential environment.

Only employees authorised by the client may access this portal by following this link:

http://verisearch.saqa.org.za/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fSearchPage.aspx

What do I need to know about the verification of South African qualifications?

SAQA verifies the authenticity of South African qualifications for employers or individuals. You can access this service by following this link:  http://verisearch.saqa.org.za/

The verification result can be in the form of a letter to be legalised by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to enable an employer to make an appointment.

The verification is done at a cost related to the request and priority selected by the client. The tariffs are adjusted annually on 1 April and can be viewed by following this link: http://verisearch.saqa.org.za/

Verification of South African Qualifications

Training Material

Where can I get training material for the course I am offering?

To request training material, please contact the relevant Quality Council and/or delegated functionaries. The contact details of the three Quality Councils are:

Training Material

Trade Tests

What is a trade test?

A trade test is a final integrated summative assessment for an artisan qualification for a listed trade that is conducted at an accredited Trade Test Centre by an Assessor registered with National Artisan Moderating Body.

Where can I do a trade test?

You can access more information on trade test certification and verification by visiting the links below.

http://www.qcto.org.za/index.php/services/certification-and-verification/certification.html

http://www.qcto.org.za/index.php/certification-read-more

Is a trade allocated a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level?

No, a trade is not allocated a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level.

Where can I obtain a replacement of my trade certificate?

For information on the replacement of trade certificates, please contact the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations on 012 003 1800 or visit their website: www.qcto.org.za

Where can I verify a trade certificate?

For information on the verification of trade certificates, please contact the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations on 012 003 1800 or visit their website: www.qcto.org.za

 

Trade Tests

Short Courses

Where can I confirm the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level of a skills programme offered by a university?

Short learning programmes are not registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF); hence they do not have NQF levels. They are designed to improve or refresh knowledge and skills in a particular field and for personal, social or professional development.

Short Courses

Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs)

Where can I lodge a complaint against a Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA)?

To lodge a complaint against a SETA, please contact the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations on 012 003 1800 or visit their website: www.qcto.org.za

Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs)

Relative Education Qualification Value (REQV)

Where can I confirm the level of my Relative Education Qualification Value (REQV)?

The Relative Education Qualification Value (REQV) determines the starting salary of educators who are appointed for the first time. Please contact the Department of Education, District or Provincial Office to have your REQV level determined.

Relative Education Qualification Value (REQV)

Registration and Accreditation Processes

What is the process followed for accreditation and registration of providers to offer qualifications and part-qualifications that are registered on the National Qualifications Framework?

Should you wish to offer qualifications and/or skills programmes, please note that you are required to register your institution with the Department of Higher Education and Training. You will also need to be accredited by the relevant Quality Council (QC) to offer your qualifications and skills programmes.

The three QCs are the:

  • Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi) for General and Further Education and Training Qualifications
  • Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) for work-based qualifications
  • Council on Higher Education (CHE) for high education qualifications

For information on the accreditation process and requirements, please contact the relevant QC on the contact details below.

What is the process followed to develop new qualifications?

For information on the process and requirements for the development of new qualifications, please contact the relevant Quality Council on the contact details below.

Registration and Accreditation Processes

Qualification Equivalence

Are qualifications that are registered at the same National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level considered equivalent?

Although qualifications are registered at the same NQF level, they cannot be considered equivalent. The levels, however, do indicate similar learning outcomes of the qualification and the expected cognitive ability of the learner after the learning intervention.

Are qualifications registered at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 4 equivalent to the National Senior Certificate?

A qualification at NQF level 4 or higher is not equivalent to the National Senior Certificate. There are various avenues one can take to attain a school-leaving certificate:

  1. Complete the National Senior Certificate
  2. Complete Senior Certificate if you are 21 years and older. Please refer to this link for more information: https://www.education.gov.za/Curriculum/SeniorCertificate.aspx
  3. Complete the National Certificate Vocational (NCV)
  4. Complete the N3 plus 2 Languages to receive the National Senior Certificate

For further clarity, please contact the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training, Umalusi, which is responsible for the certification of the following qualifications:

  • Senior Certificate (SC) which was offered before 2008 and is being phased out,
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC) which replaced the Senior Certificate and commenced in 2008,
  • National Technical Certificate N3,
  • National Senior Certificate: Colleges – phased out at the end of 2011,
  • National Certificate: Vocational (NCV) – commenced in 2007,
  • General Education Training Certificate: Adults (GETC).

Umalusi can be contacted on the following contact details:

Telephone: 012 349 1510

Website: www.umalusi.org.za

Is the National Diploma equivalent to the National N Diploma?

Both the National Diploma offered by Universities of Technology (UoTs) and the National N Diploma offered by Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges are registered at NQF level 6. While both are registered at the same NQF level, they are not equivalent as each qualification has a specific purpose and exit-level outcomes.

Please note that the National Diploma articulates to the Bachelor of Technology at NQF level 7, and the National N Diploma articulates vertically with a Bachelors Degree at NQF level 7 in the related field, and horizontally with a Diploma or Advanced Certificate at NQF level 6. 

Qualification Equivalence

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