SANC

Overview

The South African Nursing Council (SANC) is the statutory body that regulates nursing in South Africa under the Nursing Act, 2005. It is a registration body rather than a single exam. South African nursing students qualify through their nursing education institution, and SANC registers them.

The examination SANC sets itself today is the admission examination for foreign applicants. In its schedule for 2026, SANC says that currently only foreign applicants registered with it are eligible for a SANC examination. This covers foreign nationals and South Africans who qualified abroad. There is a separate paper for each category of registration, listed under Levels or stages below.

Who can apply

You can sit the admission examination only after SANC has evaluated your foreign qualification and supported you for the exam. The main requirements in SANC's policy are:

• A SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) evaluation certificate for your foreign qualification.

• A letter of support to write the examination from the National Department of Health's Foreign Workforce Management Programme (not needed by South African citizens).

• English proficiency if your nursing education was not in English. SANC accepts an IELTS band of 6 from a recognised test centre.

• Proof of registration with, and a valid licence from, the nursing regulator in your country of origin, plus a verification of good standing.

• A transcript from your nursing school, sent directly to SANC, and other documents such as a CV, passport, police clearance and a letter of competence from your last employer.

To be registered in any additional category, such as midwifery, you must first write and pass the general nursing examination.

Levels or stages

The 2026 schedule lists four admission examinations, each under its own regulation:

General nurse

Admission examination leading to registration as a general nurse.

Midwife

Admission examination leading to registration as a midwife.

Enrolled nurse

Admission examination for enrolment as a nurse.

Auxiliary nurse

Admission examination leading to registration as an auxiliary nurse.

Exam pattern

SANC can cancel a scheduled examination if too few candidates register for it.

Syllabus

After a successful evaluation, SANC sends supported candidates a brochure of learning material. You must buy the study material yourself, and SANC does not release past question papers.

Marking and results

SANC does not give results by telephone. Candidates receive their results by SMS, and the policy says official results are also posted to each applicant with details of the next step. A candidate who fails can apply for a remark under SANC's remarking procedure.

Important dates

For 2026, all four admission examinations share the same dates:

SANC states that no exceptions are made to the closing dates.

Fees

The application fee and the examination fee are set by SANC and change each year, as published in its fee circular. Examination fees are non-refundable. When you pay the examination fee, use your SANC reference number followed by the code EXAMFEE as the payment reference.

How to apply

1. Get your SAQA evaluation certificate and, if you are a foreign national, the Department of Health support letter.

2. Submit your application and the non-refundable application fee to SANC. SANC opens a file, issues a SANC reference number, and sends you verification and transcript forms.

3. Have your regulator and nursing school complete the forms and return them directly to SANC within 3 months, or the application is terminated.

4. SANC evaluates your training. If you meet the requirements, it supports you for the matching admission examination and sends the exam application form.

5. Apply for the examination individually (not through a nursing school) before the closing date, with the completed form, proof of payment of the examination fee, a current licence and, where needed, a valid permit. Only candidates who receive an examination timetable or number may write.

After the exam

If you pass, you apply for registration with the registration application fee, a valid permit to work or study in South Africa, a current licence and, for those seeking work, a second Department of Health support letter. SANC issues limited registration, valid for the period of your permit, with conditions such as the province and hospital where you will work. You must keep your name on the register by paying the annual fee.

Preparation tips

• Start the SAQA and Department of Health steps early; SANC will not chase delays with those bodies.

• Check that every form is complete and unaltered; forms with cancellations or correction fluid are returned.

• Study from the learning material brochure SANC sends you, since no past papers are available.

• Keep your home licence current throughout, because SANC will not register you on an expired licence.