The South African Nursing Council, usually called SANC, is the statutory regulator for nursing and midwifery in South Africa. If you want to practise as a nurse or midwife in South Africa, your SANC registration status matters.

SANC maintains the register of nurses and midwives, regulates nursing education and training, issues registration certificates, and manages Annual Practising Certificates, or APCs.

This guide explains SANC registration for two main groups:

  1. South African-trained nursing graduates, including community service steps.
  2. Foreign-trained nurses and midwives, including SAQA and SANC foreign qualification evaluation.

It also covers fees, APC renewal, eRegister checks, electronic APC updates, CPD, common mistakes, and official links.

What is SANC?

SANC is the South African Nursing Council. It operates under the Nursing Act, 2005, and regulates the nursing and midwifery professions in South Africa.

SANC's role includes:

  • Maintaining the register of nurses and midwives
  • Registering learners and practitioners
  • Accrediting Nursing Education Institutions and programmes
  • Setting standards for nursing education and practice
  • Issuing registration certificates and Annual Practising Certificates
  • Verifying registration through the eRegister
  • Publishing circulars, forms, regulations, and fee notices

Official starting points:

Who needs SANC registration?

You need SANC registration if you want to practise nursing or midwifery legally in South Africa.

This includes:

  • Newly qualified nurses trained at South African Nursing Education Institutions
  • Community service practitioners
  • Professional nurses
  • Midwives
  • General nurses
  • Auxiliary nurses
  • Enrolled nurses and enrolled nursing auxiliaries under legacy categories
  • Foreign-trained nurses and midwives who want to practise in South Africa
  • Practitioners adding or converting categories after completing training or community service

SANC registration routes at a glance

Applicant typeMain route
South African-trained professional nurse/midwife graduateCommunity service registration, then practitioner registration after completing community service
South African-trained general nurse graduateCategory registration using the latest R.171 form
Foreign-trained nurse or midwifeForeign qualification evaluation through SANC, often with SAQA evaluation, then category registration if requirements are met
Already registered nurse renewing practiceAnnual fee payment and valid APC
Nurse removed from registerRestoration process and applicable restoration fee
Student choosing a nursing schoolConfirm institution and programme accreditation before enrolment

Before you apply: check that your programme is recognised

If you are still choosing a nursing school, check SANC accreditation before you enrol.

SANC states that, under section 42 of the Nursing Act, it is illegal for an institution in South Africa to provide education or training intended to qualify someone to practise as a nurse or midwife unless both the institution and the programme are accredited by SANC.

SANC also warns that if either the institution or programme is not accredited, SANC will not recognise the training and the learner may not be able to practise after completing it.

Official source:

Route 1: SANC registration for South African-trained graduates

For many South African-trained graduates, the process depends on the category you trained for and whether community service applies.

Community service for first-time South African professional nurse registration

SANC's community service page quotes section 40(1) of the Nursing Act, 2005: a South African citizen intending to register for the first time to practise in a prescribed category must perform one year of remunerated community service at a public health facility.

Official source:

This mainly affects South African citizens registering for the first time in categories where community service is prescribed.

Community service: step-by-step

Step 1: Register in the category Community Service

Download and complete the current community service application form from SANC.

Current sources may include:

SANC forms state that the South African-trained community service form is for applicants who obtained their qualification at an approved South African Nursing Education Institution.

Step 2: Submit the required training records

Some commencement forms state that the application must be accompanied by the Record of Training, and that failure to submit these records will result in an unprocessed application.

Your Nursing Education Institution will usually help prepare or submit completion and training documentation.

Step 3: Start at the allocated public health facility

Once community service starts, the relevant commencement notice must be completed according to SANC instructions.

Use the latest version of the commencement form from SANC.

Step 4: Complete the full community service period

Community service is normally a 12-month period at a public health establishment.

Keep copies of:

  • Allocation documents
  • Commencement notice
  • Completion report
  • Proof of submission
  • Proof of payment where required
  • Any correspondence with SANC

Step 5: Submit the Community Service Completion Report

After completing the required period, submit the latest Community Service Completion Report.

The 2026 completion form found through SANC states that the practitioner must have completed the required 12-month community service period at a public health establishment, and the form includes declarations by the head of the public health establishment and provincial coordinator.

Step 6: Convert or register into your practitioner category

After community service, you apply for registration in the relevant practitioner category, such as:

  • Professional Nurse and Midwife under R.174
  • General Nurse under R.171, where applicable
  • Other categories depending on qualification and SANC rules

Route 2: Registration after community service or training completion

Once you have completed the required education and, where applicable, community service, you must register in the correct SANC practitioner category.

Common post-training forms include:

  • R.174 Professional Nurse and Midwife
  • R.171 General Nurse
  • R.169 Auxiliary Nurse
  • Midwife categories where applicable
  • Other categories listed by SANC

Official forms and pages:

R.174 Professional Nurse and Midwife

The current R.174 application forms state that applications must be accompanied by a certified copy of identity and proof of payment. SANC may publish updated versions, so always use the latest form from the official SANC site.

R.171 General Nurse

The current R.171 application forms similarly require a certified copy of identity and proof of payment.

Route 3: SANC registration for foreign-trained nurses and midwives

Foreign-trained nurses and midwives must follow SANC's foreign qualification route.

SANC's current foreign-registration page says it has published guidelines for people wishing to register foreign qualifications with the Council, and links to the policy guidelines and relevant SANC foreign-registration forms.

Official source:

Important update: use the SANC-3 foreign-registration forms

Older guides may refer to different form names or numbers. The current SANC foreign-registration page points to the SANC-3 policy/forms set, including:

  • Policy Guidelines for Foreign Registrations
  • Application for Certificate of Registration - Foreign Qualification
  • Application for Registration of a Foreign Qualification
  • Application for Transcript and/or Verification / Good Standing

Because form numbering and files can change, always start from the official foreign-registration page rather than downloading a PDF from an old blog or WhatsApp group.

SAQA evaluation for foreign qualifications

Foreign-trained applicants may need a SAQA foreign qualification evaluation.

SAQA says its Certificate of Evaluation indicates the recognition decision taken by SAQA in respect of a foreign qualification and the comparability of that qualification with a South African qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework.

Official source:

A SAQA evaluation does not automatically register you with SANC. It helps benchmark your qualification. SANC still decides whether and how your qualification can lead to registration.

Foreign-trained nurse pathway: step-by-step

Step 1: Read the current SANC foreign-registration policy

Start with SANC's foreign-registration page and download the latest policy guidelines.

Do not rely only on third-party summaries.

Step 2: Apply for SAQA evaluation if required

Use the SAQA online process to apply for evaluation of your foreign qualification, if SANC requires or expects it for your case.

Keep copies of:

  • SAQA application
  • SAQA Certificate of Evaluation
  • Qualification certificates
  • Transcripts
  • Communication from SAQA

Step 3: Gather professional registration evidence

SANC may require verification from the nursing or midwifery regulator in the country where you trained or practised.

Prepare:

  • Current or previous licence/registration evidence
  • Certificate of good standing or verification
  • Regulator contact details
  • Evidence sent directly from regulator to SANC, if required

Step 4: Prepare identity and immigration documents

Depending on your case, prepare:

  • Passport
  • South African ID, if applicable
  • Permit or visa evidence, if requested
  • Name-change documents, if applicable

Step 5: Prepare qualification evidence

You may need:

  • Qualification certificate
  • Academic transcript
  • Syllabus or programme content
  • Clinical hours or training records
  • Internship or practical training evidence
  • Certified translations, if documents are not in an accepted language

Step 6: Submit the SANC foreign-registration application

Use the current application form from SANC's foreign-registration page.

Include:

  • Completed application form
  • Required supporting documents
  • Proof of payment
  • SAQA evidence, if required
  • Regulator verification or good standing, if required
  • Correct contact details

Step 7: Wait for SANC evaluation

SANC may assess whether your qualification and professional background meet South African standards.

Depending on the outcome, SANC may:

  • Accept the qualification route
  • Request more information
  • Require additional education or training
  • Require adaptation or assessment
  • Decline or limit registration
  • Ask you to complete further steps before registration

Step 8: Complete any additional requirements

If SANC prescribes extra requirements, follow the official instruction exactly. Requirements can vary by qualification, country, category, and current SANC policy.

Step 9: Register in the correct category and maintain APC

Once SANC approves the route and you meet all requirements, complete category registration and annual practising requirements.

SANC fees and annual practising certificates

SANC publishes fees and fines through official notices and circulars.

For 2026, SANC Circular 3/2025 confirms the annual fees published in the Government Gazette on 13 June 2025.

The 2026 annual fees listed by SANC are:

CategoryAnnual fee for 2026
Registered Nurses and MidwivesR870
Enrolled Nurses and MidwivesR520
Enrolled Nursing AuxiliariesR370

Reduced 2026 annual fees for practitioners aged 60 to 64 on 1 January 2026:

CategoryReduced annual fee
Registered Nurses and MidwivesR660
Enrolled Nurses and MidwivesR390
Enrolled Nursing AuxiliariesR280

Reduced 2026 annual fees for practitioners aged 65 and older on 1 January 2026:

CategoryReduced annual fee
Registered Nurses and MidwivesR440
Enrolled Nurses and MidwivesR260
Enrolled Nursing AuxiliariesR180

Official sources:

Electronic APC update for 2026 and 2027

SANC is moving from printed APCs to electronic APCs.

SANC Circular 2/2025 says:

  • Annual electronic practising certificates were approved for phased introduction from July 2025.
  • Electronic APCs are sent to nurses' email addresses upon receipt of annual fees.
  • The e-APC is encrypted and requires a password to open.
  • Employers must verify e-APC details through the SANC eRegister.
  • From July 2025, SANC began sending 2026 APCs electronically to practitioners with email addresses on record as part of the pilot.
  • From July 2026, SANC will fully implement electronic APCs for 2027, and printed APCs will no longer be available except in exceptional cases defined during the pilot.

Official source:

How to verify registration on the SANC eRegister

The SANC eRegister is an online copy of active records in the official SANC register. It is mainly for employers or prospective employers to verify registration status, but practitioners can also check their own status.

Official sources:

What the eRegister is for

Use it to check:

  • Whether a person appears on the active register
  • SANC reference number
  • Registration category
  • Active status information shown by SANC
  • Details needed to verify an electronic APC

What the eRegister is not for

It is not:

  • An application portal
  • A real-time tracker
  • A replacement for submitting forms
  • A guarantee that very recent additions or removals will appear immediately

SANC's eRegister conditions say the eRegister is a copy of active records in the official register and is updated from time to time. Recent additions and removals may not be reflected until the next update.

CPD and SANC registration

SANC is implementing a Continuing Professional Development system in phases.

SANC's CPD page states that each practitioner is expected to accrue 15 CPD points annually under the CPD framework. However, Circular 6/2025 says that in the second year of implementation, CPD points will not be linked to APC renewal.

Official sources:

How long does SANC registration take?

SANC does not publish one guaranteed turnaround time for every registration route.

Your timeline depends on:

  • Whether your forms are complete
  • Whether your Nursing Education Institution submits documents promptly
  • Whether payment reflects correctly
  • Whether certified documents are valid and readable
  • Whether names and ID/passport details match
  • Whether regulator verification is needed
  • Whether SAQA evaluation is needed
  • SANC workload and processing volume
  • Whether additional information is requested

For foreign-trained nurses, the process may take longer because it can include SAQA, regulator verification, document evaluation, and additional SANC requirements.

Common mistakes that delay SANC registration

1. Using outdated forms

Always download forms from SANC's current pages before applying.

2. Paying the wrong fee or using the wrong reference

Use the correct fee code and payment reference. Community service completion and annual fee payments are not the same thing.

3. Assuming the eRegister is an application portal

The eRegister verifies registration. It does not submit applications.

4. Forgetting the community service sequence

For community service, follow the sequence:

  1. Registration in community service
  2. Commencement notice
  3. Completion of the required period
  4. Completion report
  5. Registration or conversion into the practitioner category

5. Not updating email details before e-APC rollout

Electronic APC delivery depends on SANC having the right email address.

6. Choosing a non-accredited nursing programme

SANC warns that non-accredited institutions or programmes will not be recognised.

7. Foreign-trained applicants using old form names

Use the current SANC foreign-registration page and forms. Do not rely on old PDFs.

8. Not keeping proof of submission

Keep copies of every form, proof of payment, courier receipt, and email.

Fraud and unsafe shortcuts

Be careful with anyone who claims they can "guarantee" SANC registration, sell an APC, create an epaulette, or fast-track registration outside the official process.

SANC has warned the public and employers about fraud involving SANC registration certificates, APCs, and distinguishing devices.

Useful pages:

SANC registration checklist

For South African-trained graduates

  • Confirm your programme and NEI are SANC-accredited.
  • Confirm which registration category applies to you.
  • Download the latest SANC form.
  • Prepare certified ID or passport copy.
  • Confirm training records or completion documents through your NEI.
  • Pay the correct fee using the correct reference.
  • Submit forms through the route SANC or your NEI instructs.
  • Check eRegister after processing.
  • If community service applies, complete commencement and completion steps.
  • After community service, apply for final practitioner registration.
  • Maintain annual registration and APC.

For foreign-trained applicants

  • Read the latest SANC foreign-registration policy.
  • Download the current SANC foreign-registration forms.
  • Apply for SAQA evaluation if required.
  • Prepare passport, visa/permit evidence if requested, and identity documents.
  • Prepare qualification certificates, transcripts, and syllabus evidence.
  • Arrange regulator verification or certificate of good standing.
  • Prepare certified translations if required.
  • Pay the correct SANC fee.
  • Submit using SANC's current instructions.
  • Respond quickly to SANC requests.
  • Complete additional education, assessment, or registration steps if prescribed.
  • Maintain annual registration and APC once registered.

Frequently asked questions about SANC registration

What is SANC registration?

SANC registration is the official process of being entered onto the South African Nursing Council register in a recognised nursing or midwifery category. It allows you to practise legally in South Africa, provided your registration remains active and current.

Who must register with SANC?

Anyone who wants to practise as a nurse or midwife in South Africa must be registered with SANC in the appropriate category.

Can I apply for SANC registration online?

SANC's eRegister is not an application portal. Applications are submitted using official SANC forms and the method stated on those forms or by your Nursing Education Institution.

How do I check if I am registered with SANC?

Use the SANC eRegister. Search by SANC number or name and verify your category and status. Remember that eRegister is updated periodically, so very recent changes may not appear immediately.

What is an APC?

An Annual Practising Certificate is proof, issued after payment of the annual fee, that allows a registered nurse or midwife to practise for the period stated on the certificate, unless the person is removed from the register.

Are APCs now electronic?

Yes, SANC is moving to electronic APCs. SANC began phased electronic APC delivery for 2026 APCs from July 2025 and says electronic APCs will be fully implemented from July 2026 for 2027, with printed APCs only in exceptional cases.

How much are SANC annual fees?

For 2026, SANC listed annual fees of R870 for Registered Nurses and Midwives, R520 for Enrolled Nurses and Midwives, and R370 for Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries. Always check the latest annual-fees circular for the current year.

Do community service practitioners get APCs?

No. SANC's 2026 annual-fee circular states that community service practitioners are not eligible for APCs and should not pay annual fees. They must pay the conversion fee after completing community service, using the correct registration fee code.

How long does SANC registration take?

There is no single guaranteed timeline. It depends on document completeness, payment reflection, training records, regulator verification, SAQA evaluation where relevant, SANC processing volume, and whether SANC requests additional information.

Do foreign-trained nurses need SAQA?

Foreign-trained applicants may need SAQA evaluation. SAQA evaluates the comparability of a foreign qualification with a South African qualification on the NQF, but SANC still decides registration outcomes.

Which SANC form should foreign-trained nurses use?

Start from SANC's official foreign-registration page. The current page points to the SANC-3 policy/forms set, including foreign-registration and good-standing/verification forms. Do not rely on old form names from outdated sources.

Can a foreign-trained nurse work while waiting for SANC registration?

You should not practise as a nurse in South Africa unless you are appropriately registered with SANC and legally permitted to work. Immigration and employment permission are separate from SANC registration.

What if my name is not on the eRegister?

If you recently applied, your application may still be processing or the eRegister may not have updated yet. If you expected to appear and do not, contact SANC with your reference number and proof of submission.

What happens if I miss the annual fee deadline?

You may be removed from the register and may need restoration before practising again. Check SANC's latest annual-fee and restoration guidance.

Do I need CPD points to renew my APC?

SANC is phasing in CPD. Its second-year CPD circular states that CPD points will not be linked to APC renewal during that phase. Check SANC circulars for the latest status before renewal.

How do I avoid SANC registration scams?

Use only official SANC pages, check eRegister, avoid anyone who offers to sell an APC or guarantee registration, and report suspicious activity through SANC's official contact channels.

Final thoughts

SANC registration is the foundation of a legal nursing or midwifery career in South Africa. For South African-trained graduates, the path may include community service, completion reports, category registration, and annual APC renewal. For foreign-trained nurses, the path usually involves SANC foreign qualification evaluation and may include SAQA evaluation, regulator verification, and additional requirements.

The best strategy is simple: use official SANC links, download the newest forms, pay the correct fee with the correct reference, keep proof of every submission, update your email for electronic APCs, and verify your status on the eRegister before you practise.

Sources and references