Description

The great variety of qualifications in the field of environmental science, offered by universities in particular, makes it at times almost impossible to evaluate a single qualification in this multi-disciplinary science. It is therefore necessary to first establish whether a person would qualify as a scientist in one of the generic fields of practice. This implies that a person would have to be trained as a chemist, geologist, botanist or any of the other natural science fields and meet all the qualifications requirements before being eligible for registration in the field of Environmental Science. This does not imply dual registration.

Individuals who wish to practise as environmental scientists are required to register with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP).

In order to qualify, the following requirements must be met:

• Any person who wishes to be registered as a Professional Natural Scientist in the field of practice Environmental Science should have a four-year B.Sc, B.Sc. Honours or B.Tech. degree* in the natural sciences.

* Not all B.Tech. degrees are acceptable for registration purposes.  Refer to page 9 in Information Brochure.

• 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.)   

• In addition to the above a person wishing to be registered in the field of Environmental Science should be able to provide proof of training in environmental management (e.g. environmental impact assessment, environmental law, etc.). These can either be part of the four-year degree programme or by way of accredited short courses.
• You should have a clear record of environmental science related work and research. You may also do the broad scope of what environmental practitioners do. 
• Environmental facilitators, who have completed some courses in environmental management, but do not have the required natural science training, e.g. town planners, sociologists, economists, architects, and geographers with B.A. degrees, will not qualify for registration as professional natural scientists. Such environmental facilitators should have persons with natural science training in their teams. 
• Applicants will have to provide proof of their personal involvement in at least two or more projects.
• Projects completed (reports) will be considered, provided that a clear substantiated indication is provided of personal contribution. 
• Registration by the Environmental Assessment Practitioners of South Africa (EAPSA) will be deemed as sufficient proof of the above. 
• In addition, information must be provided of conferences attended, scientific papers and publications

Categories of registration are as follows:

• Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat.)
• Candidate Natural Scientist (Cand.Sci.Nat.) 
• Certificated National Scientist (Cert.Sci.Nat.)
• Upgrading of status   

Steps to follow

• Complete an application form obtainable from SACNASP.  
• 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.

Legal framework

(Documents are provided in PDF format. To open PDF documents, you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader 4 or higher installed on your computer.)

Natural Scientific Professions Act, 2003 (Act 27 of 2003)

Service standard

• 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 of SACNASP. 
• 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, or a fine as alternative thereto 
  • 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) 
  • the applicant is suspended as a result of any punishment imposed on him or her under this Act 
  • the applicant has been removed from an office of trust on account of improper conduct 
  • 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.

Cost

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.

SWIFT CODE for international payments: NEDSZAJ

Banking details
Beneficiary: SACNASP
Nedbank
Branch: Silverton
Branch code: 164445
Account No: 1644292289    

SWIFT CODE for international payments: NEDSZAJJ.                    

Forms to complete

(Forms are provided in PDF format. To open PDF documents, you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader 4 or higher installed on your computer.)

Application for professional registration

Please consult Information Brochure on the SACNASP website for details.

Contact details

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
E-mail: sarnap@geoscience.org.za