No, if an architectural professional is found guilty of improper conduct, SACAP has the authority to impose sanctions as prescribed by the Architectural Profession Act only. SACAP has no authority to instruct an architectural professional to refund you. Should you wish to recover monies paid to the architectural professional you may approach the Small Claims Court or any other court with relevant jurisdiction.

No, SACAP must do an evaluation of your application and assign a registration number before your registration is completed.  You will receive an e-mail, confirming your registration, date of registration and registration number once your registration has been finalised.

Registration Certificates are valid for a period of 5 years; however, registration must be renewed annually by paying prescribed annual fees. Failure to renew registration may result in the cancellation of the registration. A registration certificate must verify real time through privy seal.

You will be requested to submit certified, colour copies of the certain documents with your application.  The following documents will be required for applicants with Foreign Qualifications :

• Architectural Qualifications
• SAQA Evaluation
• Transcript of qualifications (in English)
• Snr school certificate or equivalent
• Passport
• Visa/Work permit
• CV
• Offer of employment

SACAP instils a sense of confidence to members of the public and employers that a registered person is competent to perform the task.

Professional registration is requirement to perform any work for government or private sector.

SACAP is member of the Canberra Accord in which countries such as USA, Canada, China and Mexico amongst others recognizes substantial equivalence of accreditation systems in architectural education. This facilitates the portability of architectural educational credentials between the countries. Being a member of the Accord confirms that registered professional’s academic qualifications are internationally acceptable. This enhances the marketability of the qualification and improves the mobility of registered professionals to all signatories of the Accord.

Only registered persons are exclusively allowed to use the titles prescribed in the architectural profession Act. A person who is not registered in terms of this Act cannot not use the name of any registered person or any name or title.

The Architectural Profession Act identifies work for registered professionals. A person who is not registered may not perform work reserved for registered professionals. Therefore, registration entitles a registered professional to perform identified in the Identification of Work policy.