SACAP · Architectural Profession Act 44 of 2000

SACAP professional registration, explained

Helping architects reach professionalism. A plain-language map of categories, the competency model, candidacy rules, and the drafts Path to Professionalism can assemble. Official filing stays on the council's own portal.

This page is educational content, not official SACAP guidance. Path to Professionalism is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or a substitute for the South African Council for the Architectural Profession. Always confirm current requirements at www.sacapsa.com.

Path to Professionalism

Track architecture

Same login as engineers. Your SACAP pack from the first log.

Open P2P with SACAP →

Registration categories

PrArch
Master’s Degree (Prof), typically 1 year / 180 credits, NQF 9

Professional Architect

Master’s (Prof) NQF 9. Two-year candidacy and a professional exam after SACAP candidate registration.

PrSArchT
Bachelor (Hons) / 4-year Bachelor / PGDip (NQF 8) or Advanced Diploma (NQF 7)

Professional Senior Architectural Technologist

Honours / 4-year bachelor / PGDip (NQF 8) or Advanced Diploma (NQF 7). Two-year candidacy plus professional exam.

PrArchT
Bachelor’s Degree (3 years, 360 credits) or Diploma / Advanced certificate

Professional Architectural Technologist

3-year Bachelor or Diploma (NQF 7/6). Two-year candidacy plus professional exam.

PrArchD
Higher Certificate (1 year, 120 credits, NQF 5), or 2 years experience under a Registered Professional

Professional Architectural Draughtsperson

Higher Certificate NQF 5. Three-year candidacy plus professional exam. Two years under a registered professional can open this category without a recognised qualification.

competency fields

Learning level: target level D.

F1
Practice

Office practice, legal aspects and ethics

F2
Practice

Computer applications

F3
Context

Urban relationships

F4
Context

Architectural history and theory

F5
Design

Architectural design

F6
Design

Environmental relationships

F7
Delivery

Contract documentation and administration

F8
Delivery

The structure of buildings

F9
Delivery

Construction technology

F10
Delivery

Building services and related technologies

Learning level

A · AwarenessB · KnowledgeC · UnderstandingD · Ability

Candidacy path

1. Register as a SACAP candidate — Candidacy time only starts after SACAP has registered you. Internship does not back-date.

2. Log Monthly Training Records — Complete MTRs on SACAP’s application. Mentor (same category or higher) approves. Submit within two weeks of month-end.

3. Sit the professional exam — All SACAP qualifications require a professional exam after the candidacy period.

4. Professional registration — PrArch / PrSArchT / PrArchT / PrArchD, scoped by SACAP’s Identification of Work matrix (project complexity × site sensitivity).

Drafts P2P can assemble

Starting drafts only. You copy into SACAP Monthly Training Records.

SACAP already has an official Monthly Training Record app. P2P prepares the month; it does not replace SACAP's portal.

Log as you go

Open Path to Professionalism with this profession pre-selected. Drafts stay drafts. The council still receives the official file.

Open mobile app Open web dashboard Preview dashboard

On phones the site opens the mobile chrome; on a wide screen it opens the web dashboard. Preview uses sample data, not a real file.