How to Qualify as a Property Practitioner or Principal Property Practitioner

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Qualification Process for Real Estate Agents

It can be quite a daunting process to understand all of the real estate education regulations in South Africa and the set qualifying process.  However, we will do our best to explain this simply so that you understand these steps and why they have been implemented with ease.

Before 2008 property practitioners (formerly known as Real Estate Agents) were required to write an exam set by the Estate Agency Affairs Board (EAAB), and that was it. The EAAB was formed to regulate the conduct of property practitioners.  The EAAB was established in 1976 in terms of the Estate Agency Affairs Act 112 of 1976, with the mandate to regulate and control certain activities of property practitioners in the public interest.

On the 1st of February 2022, the EAAB was replaced with the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (The Authority/PPRA). The Authority is governed according to the Property Practitioners Act No. 22 of 2019, which has replaced the Estate Agency Affairs Act 112 of 1976. The differences between the EAAB and The Authority are laid out in a blog post here.

The Authority regulates the real estate profession by ensuring that all persons carrying out the activities of a property practitioner as a service to the public are registered. A Fidelity Fund Certificate, which is to be renewed each year, is issued as evidence of such registration and confirmation that such a person is legally entitled to carry out the activities of a property practitioner.

South African Qualifying Association (SAQA) is the body that issues qualifying certificates, from school certificates to Doctorates.  ServiceSETA (SSETA) falls under SAQA and controls the NQF4 and NQF5 real estate qualifications.

Here is a high-level overview of each step. Should you want additional or detailed information about any aspect of the process, simply click on the links.

The Qualifying Process – Step-by-Step

Step 1: Preparing for the Journey

Before you can study to become a property practitioner, you must:

  • Get a job as a candidate property practitioner with a registered Estate Agency
  • Register as a candidate property practitioner with The Authority
  • Receive your Fidelity Fund Certificate (FFC).

Step 2: First Steps – Intern logbook

Step 3: NQF4

To become a property practitioner, you must be competent in the outcomes-based NQF Level 4 Real Estate requirements set out by the SSETA and be competent in your PDE4 exam.

  • Check whether you qualify for an NQF4 exemption. Click here to check your qualification against the PPRA Matrix. If you think you qualify for an exemption, apply for this (this can take two months).
  • If you are not exempt, you will need to complete one of the following:

Suppose you are doing the NQF4 or the NQF4 RPL course and cannot provide proof that you have passed Mathematics and a 2nd South African language at a Matric level. In that case, you will need to purchase the relevant bridging courses through PropAcademy. The NQF Level 4 Functional Mathematics Course and the NQF Level 4 Literacy Course.

Step 4: Professional Designated Exam Level 4 (PDE4)

To become a property practitioner, you must write and pass The Authority’s PDE4 exam.

This is a 4-hour open-book exam written through The Authority. Check the next exam date by clicking here. Bookings for this exam open six weeks prior.

  • As soon as you receive your NQF4 competency certificate from SSETA, book for your PDE4 exam with The Authority
  • Brush up on the knowledge required to pass the exam; this course has maintained its 100% pass rate.
  • Write and pass this exam.
  • Go out and celebrate – you are now a property practitioner!

Step 5: CPD Points

To maintain your status, you will need to earn CPD points. Click here for details about the CPD process and complete your non-verifiable CPD points online by registering here.

Step 6: Achieve Principal Property Practitioner Status – NQF5

To become a Principal Property Practitioner, you must be competent in an NQF Level 5 in Real Estate. You do not have to have written your PDE4 exam to begin your NQF5 studies; however, this exam must be completed to become a property practitioner. To start your NQF5 studies, you must have completed your NQF4.

  • Check whether you qualify for an exemption from NQF5. Click here to check your qualification against the PPRA Matrix. If you think you qualify for an exemption, apply for this (this can take two months).
  • If you are not exempt, you will need to complete one of the following:
  • Another celebration is called for – you are now a Principal Property Practitioner! Just one more step to go to maintain your status…

Step 7: Professional Designated Exam Level 5 (PDE5)

Your journey is coming to an end. Armed with your NQF5, you have two years to write and pass your PDE5 to maintain your Principal Property Practitioner Status. Bookings for this exam open 6 weeks prior.

  • Check the next exam date by clicking here and book your seat through The Authority.
  • Brush up on your real estate knowledge to sit for the four-hour PDE5 exam. Our 100% pass rate is still intact.
  • Write and pass your PDE5 exam
  • Your journey is complete

The Authority & ServicesSETA Qualification Process Infographic

To make it a little easier for you to keep track of the qualification process, we’ve put together this handy infographic which you are welcome to download, print and share.

Real Estate Qualifications Flow Chart

Click the image above to download and save it to your computer or print it out so you can refer to it at any time.

The Qualifications Flow Chart | Who is PropAcademy? | How to Register for a Course

Hint: Read our blog – it contains interesting hints and tips. Download our eBook “The Authority & ServicesSETA (SSETA) Qualification Guide” for more detailed information.

We hope this makes The Authority & ServiceSETA qualification process for property practitioners a little easier to follow, but if you have any questions, please post them in the comments below or contact us. We’ll gladly assist you in becoming a qualified estate agent. And if you found this guide helpful, please like and share it with your friends and colleagues.

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30 replies
  1. Thokozile Rampai
    Thokozile Rampai says:

    i need a full time training not on line. we are 2 our compay will pay fees and we shouls take leave to attend. What is your advise. We need to attend in Boksburg or Germiston if you have classes there

    • Courtney
      Courtney says:

      Hi G Bruwer, thank you for writing to us. The steps on education are clearly indicated on our BLOG tab, view the article “How to Qualify as a Full Status or Principal Real Estate Agent”. PDE5 is only done once you are a registered Principal Agent. Once you are a Principal Agent, you may open your own firm. These steps are indicated on the BLOG tab, view the article “How to Start Your Own Estate Agency”.

  6. Mary-Louise
    Mary-Louise says:

    Kindly email me and advise the fees ( and your special offer) for the NQF5 course. I am a full satus agent wishing to do NQF5 and then the Exam that follows.
    Many thanks.

  7. Thabo
    Thabo says:

    Hi, my name is Thabo. I’m one of the agents who wrote the eaab exam prior 2008. I practiced as a Principal Angent but stopped until now.
    Which course will be needed to be accepted back in the industry and practice as Principal Agent?

    Regards

    • Janet Alexander
      Janet Alexander says:

      Hi Thabo and thank you for your message. Please email me at [email protected] and let me know how many consecutive years prior to 2008 you held a FFC for, and in what status, ie Principal. Then I can let you know if you are exempt from your PDE5. It sounds like you may need to complete your NQF5 RPL but we will need to ask a few questions first! My cell is 0824146686

      • Thabo
        Thabo says:

        Hi Janet. Unfortunately my email could not be delivered to you. (Address not found)

        I wrote and passed the board exam on the 18th March 1993 and practiced as a Principal Agent from the same year until 1994. I then discontinued until I resumed as Principal Agent again from the year 2005-2006. I do have copies of FFC for the years 2005-2006 but don’t have copies for 1993-1994.

        Hope this will help you.

        Regards

  8. Thabo
    Thabo says:

    Hi Janet. Unfortunately my email could not be delivered to you. (Address not found)

    I wrote and passed the board exam on the 18th March 1993 and practiced as a Principal Agent from the same year until 1994. I then discontinued until I resumed as Principal Agent again from the year 2005-2006. I do have copies of FFC for the years 2005-2006 but don’t have copies for 1993-1994.

    Hope this will help you.

    Regards

    • Janet Alexander
      Janet Alexander says:

      HI Thabo
      With the above info, I would suggest that you complete NQF5 in RPL and then write your PDE5 exam. As an assessment centre we would like to chat to you before purchasing your course just to put you and ourselves at ease that you are in fact taking the correct course. Oh dear – I mis-spelt my email address above, apologies, it is [email protected]

  9. Isoray
    Isoray says:

    Hey. I was wondering if you can help me with a few questions. I started as a intern real estate agent about 7 months ago, I’m half way through with my logbook. I was wondering can I start with my NQF 4 already and what does that require? If I’m done with my NQF 4 and logbook do I need to wait 12 months before I can write my PDE4? How long will it be after I qualify as a full estate agent before I can start with my NQF 5 and how long will it take and what do I need to do? How will it work if I want to start my own estate agency and what will be the cost involved.

    • Courtney
      Courtney says:

      Hi Isoray. Yes, you can start your NQF4. Requirements: Mentor to sign your submissions off, SA Matric certificate showing you have passed Maths and both SA Languages. You can write your PDE4 once you are competent in your Logbook (12-month internship) and your NQF4. Then you will be Full Status. To start your NQF5 you only need your NQF4 competency, this is not dependant on the PDE4. NQF4 & 5 are each 6-month courses. The costs of all courses are on our website under COURSES.

  11. Justine Werth
    Justine Werth says:

    Hi

    I am the legal and compliamce officer at an existing estate agency firm and need to become the principle. I hold an NQF 8 (law degree). Can I be exempt from the PDE 5 exam and how long will it take the exemption? We quite urgently need our firms FFC for 2022.

    • Courtney
      Courtney says:

      PDE5 EXEMPTION
      To qualify for the grant of the statutory exemption against the Professional Designation Examination (PDE) the applicant must have been issued with valid Fidelity Fund Certificates by the EAAB for a continuous (without a break) period of five years at any time prior to 15 July 2008. If your status during this period was Principal Status, then you would be exempted from the PDE5.

    • Courtney
      Courtney says:

      Hi Harvey,
      As long as it is an NQF4 in Real Estate, you can look at starting your NQF5. All our NQF5 course information is on our site under Courses, NQF, NQF5. If you click on the “Contact us” tab you can send us all the info we need to give you a call.

  14. Sebenzile
    Sebenzile says:

    Hi Courtney, I have just passed PDE 4 exams. I do have NQF 4 and 5 already. What is my status now? Do I have to register my own company before i write PDE 5 exams?

    • Courtney
      Courtney says:

      Hi Sebenzile
      Minnie from our offices has emailed you. Please send us your cell to go over this.
      Well done on passing your PDE4. So you will be a property practitioner now. Yes, you have to be a Director of a company, and a registered Principal, thereafter you have 2 years in which to write and pass your PDE5. Let us know if you need more help!

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