Individuals who wish to practice as natural scientists are required to register with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP). The Council aims to promote the practice of natural science professions in South Africa, exercise control over the standard of professional conduct of Professional Natural Scientists, Candidate Natural Scientists and/or Certificated Natural Scientists, monitor the standard of education and training of natural scientists and to recognise education and training which is a prerequisite for registration in terms of the Natural Scientific Professions Act, 2003.
Persons who are not registered may not perform work identified for registered persons.
Why should you register?
to undertake professional work
to use the official name and title professional natural scientist or affix the prescribed abbreviation after your name, “Pr.Sci.Nat.”
to practice in a consulting capacity
to enjoy professional status and participate in benefits offered by financial institutions
enjoy the backing of the Council and unbiased guarantee of your competency
to protect and strengthen the professional work
What are the registration requirements?
For registration as a Professional Natural Scientist - 4 year degree (or equivalent qualification) plus 3 years experience
Natural science content of degrees that are acceptable for registration purposes:
First year of study: 70% of the subjects/modules passed for the first year of study should be in the natural sciences – Biology 1 (Botany I and Zoology I), Chemistry I, Mathematics I, Physics I, or another natural science subject such as Geology I or Microbiology I. Bridging courses or semester courses will not qualify. A maximum of 30% of the courses may be in proficiency skills, e.g. Computer, Language, Communication, and Business proficiencies and life skills, e.g. Philosophy of Science.
Second and third year of study: A minimum of 80% of the subjects/ modules passed for the second and third year of study should be in the natural sciences of which at least 50% should be in the respective discipline or directly supportive of the discipline. (Exit level for registration as a Certificated Natural Scientist.)
Fourth year of study (Honours level): Preferably, 100% of the subjects/modules passed for the fourth year of study or Honours year should be in the natural sciences of which at least 80% should be in the respective discipline or directly supportive of the discipline.
One subject from the generic fields of practice listed in Schedule 1 of the Act must be studied in increasing breadth and depth over four years. Furthermore, the fourth or Honours year should ideally include a research module in the natural sciences. (Exit level Candidate and Professional Natural Scientist.) Fields of practice
Fields of practice: Schedule I of the Act
AgriculturalScience
Include Crop Science, Forestry, Grassland Science, Horticulture and Weed Science
Animal Science
Production/DomesticatedAnimals
Aquatic Science
Include Limnology, Hydrobiology, Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science and Water Science.
* Toxicological Science is the study of chemicals that have harmful effects on an organism. Registration for this field of practice may be in either BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE or MICROBIOLOGICAL SCIENCE, depending on the applicant's specific focus in toxicology, as being of non-microbiological origin or of microbiological origin.
Complete an application form in the prescribed manner.
Forms are obtainable from the Council.
The application must be accompanied by the prescribed registration fee.
The Council will register and issue a registration certificate if it is satisfied that you have the relevant educational requirements and experience as determined by the Council.
Due to several evaluation processes it is not possible to indicate how long the registration process will take.
Evaluation of the applications by the relevant PAC, and approval by the Registration Committee.
The outcome of the evaluation shall not be made known until after the Registration Committee meeting.
The Council may refuse to register an applicant:
if after the commencement of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996), the applicant has been convicted of an offence, either in the Republic or elsewhere, and sentenced to imprisonment for a period exceeding three months
if the applicant is declared by the High Court to be of unsound mind or mentally disordered, or is detained under the Mental Health Act, 2002 (Act 17 of 2002)
for as long as the registration of the applicant is suspended as a result of any punishment imposed on him or her under this Act
if the applicant has been removed from an office of trust on account of improper conduct
if the applicant is a non-rehabilitated insolvent whose insolvency was caused by his or her negligence or incompetence in performing work falling within the scope of the category in respect of which he or she is applying for registration.
The Council will inform you in writing if an application for registration is refused.
You may appeal against the Council’s decision within 30 days.
You must apply to the Council for the renewal of your registration, at least three months prior to the expiry of your registration.
The application fee covers the administration costs involved in processing an application and is not refundable. A fee is payable for each field of practice for which is applied and proof of payment must be included with your application. See method of payment below.
A registration fee will be charged according to the category of registration and number of fields of practice that have been approved:
Application fee
Registration fee
Fee payable after approval of registration
Professional Natural Scientist
R300.00
R810.00
R510.00
Candidate Natural Scientist
R300.00
R460.00
R160.00
Certified Natural Scientist
R300.00
R520.00
R220.00
Updgrading of status
R300.00
R790.00
R490.00
Annual fees are payable for the period 1 April until 31 March of every year. If a person is registered between April and December, the fee becomes payable on the first of April of the year following the registration. If registration took place during January, February or March the annual fee becomes payable on the first of April of the same year.
Method of payment:
Unfortunately, no cash payments can be accepted.
By direct transfer or alternatively by cheque or cash deposit. NB: Use initials and surname for identification of payment on Council’s bank statement.
Please fax proof of deposit as well as the completed application form (without the supporting documents) to (012) 841 1057.
Postal address: Private Bag X540, SILVERTON, 0127 Physical address: Third Floor, Council for Geoscience Buildings, 280 Pretoria Road, SILVERTON. Telephone: (012) 841 1075 Fax: (012) 841 1057 Web page: www.sacnasp.org.za
