Circular 4/2025                                                 

TO:         NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

                 PROVINCIAL DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH

                 NURSING SERVICE MANAGERS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HEALTH ESTABLISHMENTS
                 NURSING AGENCIES

                 ALL STAKEHOLDERS

SUBJECT:   RETAINING SANC REGISTRATION FOR NURSE PRACTITIONERS EMPLOYED ON THE BASIS OF A NURSING QUALIFICATION

1. PURPOSE

• The purpose of this circular is to inform nurse practitioners who were employed based on a nursing qualification and whose employment requires proof of registration with the Council, to restore their status in the Nurse Register (if not currently registered) and renew their Annual Practising Certificates (APCs) annually.

2. BACKGROUND

• The South African Nursing Council (SANC) is a statutory body established in terms of the Nursing Act, (Act No. 33 of 2005) to set and maintain the standards of nursing education and practice in the Republic of South Africa.
• The SANC is mandated in terms of the Act to serve and protect the public in matters involving nursing and midwifery services, and to uphold and maintain professional conduct, ethics, and practice standards
• In order to practise nursing, all the categories of nurses are required to renew their Annual Practising Certificates (APC) by 31^st December each year.
• The Council has, however, noted with concern, an ongoing trend of nurses failing to renew their APCs. This includes those employed based on a nursing qualification but not involved in patient care. The same pattern has been observed among nurses who lead or oversee the implementation of National Strategic Priorities in health, both at national and provincial level.

3. COUNCIL RESOLUTION

• At its ordinary meeting held on 24-25 April 2025, the Council deliberated on the matter and resolved to notify the employers, stakeholders and the profession that nurses who were employed by virtue of a nursing qualification and whose employment require proof of registration with the Council must restore their status in the Nurse Register (if not currently registered) and renew their APCs annually.

4. DIRECTIVE

• Nurses who were employed on the basis of a nursing qualification, and whose employment requires proof of registration with the Council, must restore their status in the Nurse (if not currently registered) and renew their APCs annually.
• Nurses who are employed based on a nursing qualification, and whose employment requires proof of current registration with the Council, and lead or oversee the implementation of National Strategic Priorities in health both at national and provincial levels must restore their status in the Nurses Register (if not currently registered) and renew their APCs annually.
• Employers must refrain from employing nurses without proof of current registration with the SANC or whose names were removed from the Nurses Register in terms of Section 44 of the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005).
• Employers or prospective employers, MUST verify registration status using the Nurse eRegister (electronic register of Nurses and Midwives) at: sanc.co.za/eRegister.aspx
• For further information regarding restoration, please contact Mr. B Manganyi, Manager: Revenue Collections and Sales at [email protected] or Tel: 012 420 1081.

5. IMPLICATIONS

• The contents of this circular must be brought to the attention of all employers, national and provincial departments of health, stakeholders and nurses across all nursing service platforms.

6. IMPLEMENTATION

• This circular shall become effective on the date of issue. Enquiries in this regard can be directed to Dr J Muswede, Senior Manager: Professional Practice at [email protected] or Tel: 012 420 1073.

______________________

PROF NG MTSHALI

REGISTRAR & CEO

DATE: _________________

________________________  

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