SACAP

United States (NCARB) and South Africa (SACAP) — Registration Steps

To be eligible for reciprocal licensure or registration under this agreement, you must:

Be licensed or registered and in good standing in a participating jurisdiction in the United States or South Africa.
For U.S. architects: Hold an active NCARB Certificate.
For South African architects: Hold an active Professional Architects Registration certificate.
For South African architects: Hold an active Certificate of Competence.
Successfully complete any additional jurisdiction-specific requirements as specified by SACAP or the participating U.S. jurisdiction.

How to Pursue Registration in South Africa (Holders of NCARB Certificate Credentials)

Step 1. Confirm Eligibility

Review the eligibility requirements above and confirm that you meet them. You should also ensure that you are licensed in a participating U.S. jurisdiction.

Step 2. Contact NCARB

Once you have confirmed your eligibility, contact NCARB online or at +1 202 879 0520 to establish an NCARB Record and pay a USD $1,381 application fee to NCARB.

If you are already a U.S. Certificate holder with an NCARB Record, you will need to pay the applicable Record transmittal fee for your NCARB Record to be sent to SACAP.

Step 3. Apply to SACAP

Complete the SACAP application process through the prescribed online application system: SACAP Online.

Step 4. Create Your Profile and Complete the MRA Application

Create your SACAP profile, then within your profile complete the MRA application process and pay the applicable fee.

Step 5. Visa Application (Only required for U.S. architects seeking to practise in person in South Africa)

Submit your visa application and pay the applicable fee, where required.

Step 6. Candidate Registration

Once registered as a Candidate Architect, you will automatically qualify to apply for the Professional Practice Examination (PPE).

Step 7. Apply for the PPE

Within your profile, under the Exam tab, apply for the PPE and pay the applicable fee. PPE Preparatory resources are available on the SACAP website.

Step 8. Upgrade to Professional Architect

Once you have successfully passed the PPE, you may apply to upgrade your status to Registered Professional Architect.

How to Pursue Licensure in the United States (For South African Professional Architects)

Step 1. Confirm Eligibility

Review the eligibility requirements and confirm that you meet them. Verify that the U.S. jurisdiction in which you are seeking licensure participates in the agreement and ensure that you can meet any jurisdiction-specific requirements.

Step 2. Complete Your SACAP MRA Record

Complete your SACAP Record and pay the applicable fee on your SACAP profile before starting the NCARB process.

Step 3. Establish an NCARB Record

Establish an NCARB Record and pay the required fee. You will need to upload the following:

SACAP Registered Architect Record or SACAP Record
Golden Certificate of Registration
Golden Certificate of Good Standing

Once your payment has been processed, NCARB will issue you an NCARB Record number. NCARB will then review your credentials and, if approved, issue an NCARB Certificate.

Step 4. Apply for Licensure

After receiving an NCARB Certificate through this MRA, you must apply for licensure or registration in a participating U.S. jurisdiction within 12 months of obtaining the certificate. If your SACAP credentials expire before you earn a U.S. licence, you may be required to provide updated SACAP documents.

To learn more about this agreement and the requirements for NCARB certification, read the Certification Guidelines.

Fees

South African Professional Architects Applying in the United States:

NCARB application fee: USD $1,381
If you have already established an NCARB Record, the Record fee already paid will be deducted from the USD $1,381 application fee, and you will be responsible for the remaining balance.
A USD $488 Record transmittal fee will also apply when sending your NCARB Record to the U.S. jurisdiction where you are seeking licensure.
Additional jurisdictional licensure fees may also apply. These vary by jurisdiction.
For more information, visit ncarb.org/fees or contact NCARB: www.ncarb.org/contact. Fees are subject to change.

U.S. Architects Applying in South Africa:

NCARB Record transmittal fee: USD $488
SACAP application fee: R13 971.00
Visa application fee: R2 436.00
Professional Practice Examination (PPE) fee: R2 962.00
Upgrade fee: R3 208.00

Important Information

Reciprocal recognition is subject to the rules and procedures of the relevant regulatory authority.
Participation in an agreement does not exempt applicants from meeting jurisdiction-specific requirements.
All fees are subject to review and may change from time to time.

Contact and Further Information

For further information on SACAP registration pathways and international recognition arrangements, please visit the SACAP website or contact info@sacapsa.com or 011 479 5000.