SPVV111

• The HPCSA was established by the Health Professions Act, 1974 (Act 56 of 1974)
• Function of the HPCSA


  To control and exercise authority in all matters relating to the education and training of health care professionals - subject to legislation regulating health care providers and consistency with national policy as determined by the Minister
• The HPCSA is the quality assurance body for the education and training in the professions within its mandate
• The Council has, in accordance with the Act, established professional boards for the different healthcare professions to maintain and enhance the dignity of the professions and the integrity of the persons practicing the professions
• Key role of the professional boards

  To determine, promote and uphold the standards of education and training, while keeping registers for each profession
• Approval of HEI's professional programme of education and training

  1. HEI's self-evaluation report

  2. Site visit and report by a Board appointed evaluation panel

  3. Determination by the Board of whether the criteria and standards have been met
• The process relies on the HEI's self-evaluation and continuous development and is underpinned by the honesty and ethical integrity of all concerned
• Quality education may be achieved in a variety of ways and a programmes' flexibility in the pursuit of excellence is acknowledged
• Accreditation of HEI's professional education and training program

  • Program that meets the prescribed standards and requirements is granted accreditation
  • Accreditation is valid for 5 years after which the program will be re-evaluated
  • Graduates of accredited programs are eligible for registration with the HPCSA and thereby to legally practice the profession
• Board examination requirement


  The Board may, where it deems necessary, also require graduates to write and pass the Board examination before they may register with the HPCSA
• New programs and existing education and training programmes which do not meet the minimum criteria and standards will be required to comply with specific Board recommendations until accreditation status has been attained
• Learners who complete an education and training program which does not meet the minimum requirements set by the Board will not be registered by the HPCSA and will therefore, not be permitted to practice
• Purpose of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

  To assist health practitioners to maintain and acquire new and updated levels of knowledge, skills and ethical attitudes to enhance professional integrity and promote the wellbeing of patients/clients
• Requirements for health practitioners

  • Complete a series of accredited continuing education activities each year
  • Accumulate 80 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) per 12-month period
  • At least 5 CEUs should be for ethics, human rights and health law
  • CEUs are valid for 24 months from the date the activity took place
  • Aim to accumulate a balance of 60 CEUs by the end of their second year of practice
• Obtaining CEUs


  1. Within own discipline, specialty or sub-specialty

  2. Within a related discipline, specialty or sub-specialty relevant to own professional practice
• Maintaining records

  Health practitioners should maintain and document their own learning activities on official HPCSA CPD Activity Record
• Compliance checks


  1. HPCSA will randomly select 2 health practitioners per month for compliance checks

  2. Health practitioners must submit required documents within 21 working days of notification

  3. Non-compliant health practitioners will be given a 6-month extension
• Activities that do not qualify for CEUs

  • Time spent planning, organising or facilitating any activity
  • Published congress proceedings
  • Non-referenced letters to the editor of accredited journals
  • Daily ward rounds
  • Written assignments
  • Compilation of student training manuals for internal use
  • Staff and administrative meetings
  • Tours and viewing of exhibits and technological demonstrations
  • Membership of professional bodies, boards or associations
  • Holding a portfolio on the professional body's executive or council structure
  • Presentations and publications to the public
  • Mandatory health and safety training as part of curriculum
• The CPD system is based on trust, with the HPCSA believing that health practitioners will commit themselves to meeting the requirements for continuing education and patient/client will reap the benefits of lifelong learning