TO:         NURSING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

                NURSING STAKEHOLDERS

SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL (SANC) EXAMINATION SCHEDULE – 2026

Dear Stakeholders

Attached please find the Examination Schedule for 2026.

Kindly take note of the following requirements applicable to the SANC examinations:

1. The closing date for the examination applications should be strictly adhered to as neither exceptions nor allowances will be made to extend the provided dates (See Annexure A).

2. Currently, only foreign applicants registered with the SANC are eligible for an examination: Foreign applicants apply as individuals but will have to adhere to the prescribed period.

3. Candidates will not be registered for an examination with only an identity number. It must be noted that the SANC reference numbers are also needed in all cases for all candidates eligible for examination.

4. The office verifies and supports the processing of complete and approved foreign candidate’s applications for the generation of SANC reference numbers.

5. Foreign applicants submit their examination applications individually to the SANC, rather than through a Nursing Education Institution (NEI).

6. Candidates are required to verify that they are registered individually for the appropriate examination. This verification must be conducted through the SANC Registration Section (See Annexure B).

7. The SANC will only process applications for entry into the South African Nursing Council examination that meet the following requirements:

1. The Examination Application Form should be completed in full, accurately, and signed by the relevant person/s. The surname and given names must be those appearing in the identity document/ passport.

1. All the required documentation is to be included.

1. There is proof of payment of prescribed examination fees into the SANC bank account.

Foreign candidates/South Africans with foreign qualifications write the admission examination for Foreign Applicants leading to registration as general nurse/Midwife/Enrolled Nurse/ Auxiliary Nurse.

Banking details are as follows:

Name of Bank:                   First National Bank

Account number:             51425166282 (Current Account)

Branch:                                 Corporate Core Banking – Pretoria

Branch code:                      210-554

Reference:                         SANC Ref-number followed by the type of fee code ‘EXAMFEE’

The correct reference must appear on all deposits to expedite the processing of your payment. The code ‘EXAMFEE’ must only be used for payment in respect of the examination fee. This code must not be used for any other types of payment.

Below is an example of a reference that pertains to an examination fee payment as discussed above:

• SANC Ref number 12345678: 12345678EXAMFEE

8. Only those candidates who have been issued an examination timetable/number will be eligible to write the SANC examination.

9. The SANC requests invigilators not to enclose any other documents with the examination package.

10. The SANC reserves the right to cancel an examination reflected on the schedule if there are insufficient candidates for such an examination.

11. No examination results will be released telephonically by the SANC office as candidates will receive results via text messages (SMS).

NB: Examination fees are non-refundable according to Regulations regarding fees and fines payable to the South African Nursing Council (Government Notice No.R.170 of 8 March 2013)

Your cooperation is appreciated.

Yours faithfully

__________________________________

PROF N MTSHALI

REGISTRAR AND CEO

THE SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL

DATE: _______________________________________

Click the link below to download the Circular as a PDF

Download PDFhttps://www.sanc.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Circular-07-of-2025-Exam-Schedule-for-2026.pdf

TO:         NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

                PROVINCIAL DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH

                HEALTH ESTABLISHMENTS AND OTHER NURSING PRACTICES/SERVICES

                NURSING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

                ALL STAKEHOLDERS

SUBJECT: NOTIFICATION OF A PHASED-IN APPROACH REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD) FOR NURSES AND MIDWIVES BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL (SANC) IN THE SECOND YEAR OF IMPLEMENTATION.

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Circular is to notify the National Department of Health (NDoH), Provincial Departments of Health, Nursing Practices/Services, Nursing Education Institutions, and all Stakeholders on the “Phased-in Approach” for CPD implementation by the SANC in its second year (2025/2026) of implementation. 

2. BACKGROUND

The SANC is a statutory body operating in terms of the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005) to set and maintain the standards of nursing education and practice in the Republic of South Africa. Section 39(a)(b)(c) of the Nursing Act mandates the SANC to determine conditions, nature, and extent of CPD to be undergone by practitioners.

In line with the mandate above, the SANC developed systems and processes for CPD implementation. The 17^th Council adopted a “Phased-in Approach” for CPD implementation in its five-year strategic plan 2024/2029. The first year of CPD implementation was conducted successfully in sampled health establishments across nine provinces, in three hospitals per province and in identified hospitals in Private Hospital Groups (Mediclinic, Life Healthcare, Netcare, National Hospital Network and Clinix Health Group). Success is attributed to ongoing partnership, engagement and collaboration with nursing leadership both in public and private health systems.

3. APPROACH TO CPD IMPLEMENTATION IN THE SECOND YEAR

In its meeting of 4-5 August 2025, the SANC Council approved the sample for the second year of CPD implementation as indicated below:

• Area Managers, Operational Managers and all Professional Nurses of the three public hospitals that participated in the CPD implementation in the first year.
  • Area Managers and Operational Managers of all public hospitals in all nine provinces who were not included during the first year “Phased-in Approach” for CPD implementation.

• All categories of nurse practitioners, all Unit Managers and Area Managers, in private hospital groups (Netcare, Life Healthcare, Mediclinic, Clinix Health Group and National Hospital Network). All nurse practitioners employed in the private sector have been exposed to their CPD systems for the past years and are thus familiar with the practice of CPD. They will thus only be required to familiarise themselves with the SANC CPD framework.
• Area Managers and Operational Managers of the South African Military Health Services (SAMHS) in their three Military Hospitals.
• All lecturers of accredited Nursing Education Institutions (public nursing colleges) in the nine provinces be included during the second year of the “Phased-in Approach” for CPD implementation.
• Kindly note that in the second year of implementation, CPD points will not be linked to Annual Practicing Certificate (APC) renewal.
• PLEASE NOTE that Council has not yet finalised the process for accreditation of CPD providers. Communication will be issued in future when the process is finalised.

4. IMPLICATIONS

This Circular must be brought to the attention of all nurse practitioners and relevant stakeholders.

5. IMPLEMENTATION

This Circular shall become effective on the date of issue. For further clarity that might be required, kindly contact Dr NJ Muswede, Senior Manager: Professional Practice on e-mail: [email protected] or                             Tel: 012 420-1008.

__________________________________

PROF NG MTSHALI

REGISTRAR AND CEO

SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL

DATE: ____________________________

Click the link below to download the Circular as a PDF

Download PDF