SACPLAN · Planning Profession Act 36 of 2002

SACPLAN professional registration, explained

Helping planners reach professional registration. 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 SACPLAN guidance. Path to Professionalism is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or a substitute for the South African Council for Planners. Always confirm current requirements at sacplan.org.za.

Path to Professionalism

Track town and regional planning

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

Open P2P with SACPLAN →

Registration categories

Cand. Student
Enrolled in an accredited planning qualification

Candidate Student Planner

Full-time student on a SACPLAN-accredited planning programme. Register while you study.

Candidate
SACPLAN-accredited planning qualification

Candidate Planner

Accredited qualification, little or no experience. Practical training under a registered planner.

Tech. Planner
Accredited technical / planning qualification as listed by SACPLAN

Technical Planner

Upgrade from Candidate after 24 months actual practical training, 6 months each in Category A and B, candidate registration held for 2 years, supervisor (Technical or Professional) signs Forms A1–A3.

Pr. Planner
Accredited professional planning qualification

Professional Planner

Same time rules as Technical, but the supervisor who signs off must be a Registered Professional Planner.

training categories

Independence: target level E.

PA1
Category A

Planning investigation

PA2
Category A

Plan formulation

PB1
Category B

Planning administration

PB2
Category B

Implementation

Independence

A · GuidedB · SupportedC · Mostly youD · Independent (reviewed)E · Independent

Candidacy path

1. Register as Candidate (or Candidate Student) — Submit the supervisor’s name for SACPLAN approval. Internship clocks do not start on unofficial supervisors.

2. Personal Development Plan — PDP as soon as the supervisor is approved. Update if the next six-month plan changes. Submit a Practical Training Report every six months.

3. 24 months actual time — Rule 15(3): at least 24 months actual practical training, usually 2.5–3 calendar years. After the qualification (15(4)). Under a registered planner (15(5)). And registered as a Candidate for at least 2 years (15(6)). All four must be true.

4. Forms A1, A2, A3 — Summary of practical training, practical training report, sworn affidavit by supervisor. Min 6 months in Category A and in Category B.

Drafts P2P can assemble

Starting drafts only. You copy into SACPLAN registration documentation.

Rule 15 needs 24 months of actual planning work, after the qualification, under a registered planner, and two years as a registered Candidate. Category A and B each need at least six months.

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.