REBOSA welcomed the announcement by the PPRA on 19 July, introducing a more flexible, competency-based education pathway for aspiring property practitioners.
We congratulate CEO Ms. Thato Ramaili and the PPRA on this important milestone.
This is a reform REBOSA has advocated for over many years. A fairer, fit-for-purpose education framework will remove unnecessary barriers, unlock new opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship and strengthen the future of the real estate profession. We look forward to seeing the positive impact across the industry.
Read the full announcement here
Good news for aspiring estate agents: a more affordable route to qualify
The Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA) has announced an important change that will make it easier for new people to enter the property industry. Here is what it means, in simple terms.
Until now, anyone who wanted to become an estate agent had to first complete a formal NQF Level 4 real estate qualification before writing the Professional Designation Examination (PDE 4). For many agents, this was expensive and difficult to complete while trying to earn a living. The new NQF4 (or the NQF 4 OC) also requires candidates to demonstrate the same body of technical knowledge twice – first through the EISA and again through the PDE 4.
We welcome the PPRA’s introduction of an alternative competency-based pathway to the PDE 4. It is a considered and progressive reform that recognises there is more than one way to develop highly competent property practitioners while preserving the high professional standards our industry demands.
This approach provides aspiring practitioners with a choice of pathways to the same professional destination. It recognises the value of structured workplace training and mentorship alongside technical learning, while ensuring that every practitioner is ultimately held to the same high standard through a rigorous PPRA examination that assesses the knowledge and professional competence required to practise.
We commend the PPRA for its leadership in introducing this important reform. It is a positive step that will strengthen the profession, broaden opportunity and help ensure that the next generation of property practitioners is both technically proficient and practically equipped to serve consumers with excellence.
Dr Andrew Golding
Chief Executive Officer
Pam Golding Properties
We welcome the PPRA’s decision to introduce an alternative competency-based pathway to the PDE 4. It’s a progressive move that recognises there is more than one way to develop capable, ethical and successful property practitioners.
Real estate is ultimately a people business. While qualifications are important, competence, professionalism, practical skills and a commitment to serving clients are what truly define success in our industry. Creating an additional pathway that recognises these attributes, while retaining the existing NQF qualification routes, strikes the right balance between maintaining standards and improving accessibility.
At a time when our industry needs to attract new talent and create more opportunities for transformation and entrepreneurship, this is a welcome step. By removing unnecessary barriers without compromising professional standards, we strengthen both the industry and consumer confidence.
We commend the PPRA for engaging with the industry and taking a practical approach to modernising the profession. We look forward to working with our agents as this new pathway is implemented and to continuing to raise the bar for professionalism across the real estate sector.
Yael Geffen
Chief Executive Officer
Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty
Having managed 50 branches with over 150 active agents, I have watched the NQF 4 portfolio break careers before they could start. Time and again, I saw talented, historically disadvantaged (PDI) interns, agents with real aptitude for the job stall out and eventually walk away, not because they lacked ability, but because they couldn’t afford to finish a costly, tedious qualification. That is why the PPRA’s move toward an alternative, competency-based pathway isn’t a technical adjustment. It’s a vital victory for transformation.
The benefits of this shift are distinct and far-reaching.
First, it demolishes the financial barrier that the NQF 4 portfolio has long represented. For cash-strapped PDI interns, this isn’t a minor convenience; it’s the difference between entering the profession or being priced out of it before they’ve had a chance to prove themselves. Removing that barrier finally creates a truly level playing field.
Second, it accelerates career progression. Interns no longer have to wait out years of administrative backlog before their competence is recognised. Capable candidates can be fast-tracked directly to the PDE 4, turning ability into advancement without unnecessary delay.
Third, it reprioritises real-world competence over theory. The educational focus shifts away from heavy, unapplied theoretical content toward the practical, day-to-day skills that actually close deals and protect consumers. These are the skills that matter once an agent is standing in front of a client.
Fourth, it throws a lifeline to candidates stuck in limbo. Many agents who have exceeded their initial 12-month candidacy period have effectively been stranded by the old system. This pathway re-energises their progress and gives them a route forward again.
Fifth, and critically, it preserves high educational standards. This is not a lowering of the bar. The six-month practical workplace modules and PPRA exam remain fully intact, ensuring that consumer protection is never compromised in the pursuit of accessibility.
Finally, it paves a hybrid path forward. Traditional academic routes remain available for those who prefer them, while the industry modernises alongside a growing, competency-driven workforce. This dual approach elevates the public’s perception of real estate practitioners and, just as importantly, empowers the industry to deploy highly qualified agents into under-serviced communities that have long needed them.
This is what meaningful transformation looks like. Not lowering standards, but removing the barriers that had nothing to do with competence in the first place.”
Mr Robert Tsekoa
Property Investor | Business Coach | Keynote Speaker | REBOSA Director | SAPIN Intermed. Investor of the Year 2024 (ABSA) | Founder & CEO, Hashtags Properties Group
I have been in the real estate industry for over 20 years. I was mentored by Adv Louis Taljaard and came up through the old board exam system. I learnt the practical realities of this business from a seasoned professional, then proving my competence by writing a single, rigorous exam. That path produced many of the industry leaders we have today, and the PPRA has made the right call in reopening that route.
For too many talented South Africans, particularly from previously disadvantaged communities, the obstacle was never ability – it was access. This reform gives countless aspiring property practitioners the same opportunity that so many of us were fortunate enough to have: to learn by doing, be guided by those who’ve done it before them, and prove themselves through a demanding exam, rather than being held back by an academic qualification that was never really suited to this profession.
Every agency owner in this country started as a new entrant. Making this profession more accessible, without compromising on competence, is how we build the next generation of entrepreneurs and small business owners in this industry.
I want to thank the PPRA for having the vision to make this change. It will open doors for a new generation the way it once did for mine.”
Andrew Sadomba, Principal Estate Agent and Business Owner – Y – Rent Properties
The introduction of the mandatory NQF qualification created significant barriers to entry for many aspiring property practitioners. While well-intentioned, the qualification became costly, time-consuming and, for many candidates, delayed their ability to establish themselves in what is fundamentally a commission-based profession. The consequence was that talented individuals often spent extended periods completing theoretical requirements before they could meaningfully progress their careers and earn a sustainable income.
At the same time, many employers expressed concern that the qualification did not adequately prepare candidates for the practical demands of modern real estate. The industry is evolving rapidly, driven by changing consumer expectations, digital technology and regulatory reform. Agencies were finding it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain promising new entrants. Candidates were expected to complete a lengthy and costly qualification process while trying to survive in a commission-only environment, often without earning enough to sustain themselves. Many left the industry before they had a fair opportunity to develop, not because they lacked the ability to succeed, but because the pathway to full status was too slow and financially demanding. This resulted in agencies losing talent, investing time and resources in candidates who could not remain in the profession, and struggling to build a stable pipeline of future practitioners and business owners.
The new competency-based pathway acknowledges that professional capability can be demonstrated through practical training, mentorship and a rigorous regulatory examination, while preserving the existing qualification route for those who wish to pursue it. This is a progressive reform that expands access without compromising professional standards.
Importantly, this decision has the potential to make a meaningful contribution to transformation. Many talented young South Africans simply cannot afford to spend years completing lengthy and costly qualifications before they are able to build a career and earn an income. By removing unnecessary barriers, the PPRA has created a more inclusive and accessible pathway into the profession. The NPF welcomes this important milestone and believes it will strengthen the profession, support entrepreneurship and better prepare the next generation of property practitioners for the realities of a modern real estate market.
This reform is an excellent example of what can be achieved when the regulator and industry work together towards a common objective. The PPRA should be commended for engaging meaningfully with stakeholders over an extended period and for implementing a practical, balanced solution that reflects the realities of today’s property profession.”
Leo Mlambo
President: National Property Forum
Chairperson: Transformation Committee “NPPC”
I have been in the real estate industry for more than 25 years, and I have experienced first-hand how new property practitioners were trained before the introduction of the mandatory qualification requirements.
When I entered the profession, the pathway was straightforward. You studied the Board Exam material, joined a registered estate agency as an intern and spent a year learning directly from experienced professionals while earning commission. Throughout that period I was mentored, supervised and guided by my principal, and by the time I was upgraded to full status I had developed the practical skills needed to build a successful career.
Real estate is a profession that is learnt by doing. It is where you develop the ability to negotiate successfully, build relationships with clients, secure mandates, uphold ethical standards and navigate complex transactions. Those are skills that are transferred from experienced practitioners to new entrants through mentorship and practical exposure in the workplace.
As an intern, I earned my full commission because I was actively involved in the business under proper supervision. My mentor ensured that I was competent before allowing me to work independently. That practical learning gave me confidence, experience and the ability to grow into the successful business owner I am today.
In my view, the introduction of the mandatory NQF qualification made entering the profession significantly more expensive and time-consuming. For many aspiring property practitioners, particularly those who need to earn an income as quickly as possible in a commission-based industry, it became an obstacle rather than an opportunity.
The reality is that many of the soft skills that determine success in real estate for example; negotiation, communication, relationship building, prospecting and closing deals; cannot be taught in a classroom. They are developed through practical experience, mentorship and exposure to real clients and real transactions.
I applaud the PPRA for having the courage to make this change. This decision will breathe new life into our industry by opening the door to people with talent, ambition and a willingness to work hard. Real estate is learnt in the field, with clients, under the guidance of experienced professionals. That is where great estate agents are made.
Xoliswa Tini
CEO
XT Properties
https://xoliswatiniproperties.co.za/
The PPRA’s decision to introduce an alternative pathway to full-status qualification through a Board Examination is, in my view, one of the most significant and progressive reforms our industry has seen in many years. For too long, aspiring property practitioners have had only one route to qualification: completing the Further Education and Training Certificate: Real Estate (NQF Level 4) before being permitted to write the Professional Designation Examination (PDE). While the intention of the NQF qualification was to promote professionalism, the reality has often been a lengthy, expensive and administratively burdensome process that delays capable individuals from becoming fully qualified. A rigorous Board Examination can achieve exactly the same objective—indeed, it can set an even higher benchmark—provided the examination is sufficiently comprehensive to test the knowledge, ethics and competence required of a modern property practitioner. Professional standards should ultimately be measured by an individual’s competence, ethics and ability to serve consumers, not by the length or cost of the journey to qualification.
The current system also creates significant financial hardship for new entrants to the profession. Because they cannot qualify quickly, candidate property practitioners are required to operate under the supervision of a full-status practitioner and share their commission for an extended period. In a commission-only industry, where earnings are already uncertain during the early stages of a career, this significantly reduces an agent’s ability to earn a sustainable income and contributes to many talented individuals leaving the profession before they have had an opportunity to establish themselves. The new pathway allows committed individuals to qualify sooner, become financially independent more quickly, and build successful careers while maintaining the high professional standards that consumers rightly expect. Importantly, it will also be a meaningful catalyst for transformation within the property sector. By removing unnecessary financial and administrative barriers to entry, the industry becomes accessible to a far broader and more diverse pool of talented South Africans who may previously have been discouraged by the cost and time required to qualify. A more inclusive qualification pathway will help accelerate meaningful transformation, increase participation, create sustainable entrepreneurial opportunities and ultimately produce a profession that better reflects the demographics of the country and the communities it serves.
The Board Examination route will also remove a substantial financial burden from aspiring practitioners. Over the years, tens of thousands of rands have flowed from the pockets of candidate practitioners to third-party training providers simply to complete mandatory qualifications. Under the new model, leading real estate brands will be able to invest directly in the training and development of their own candidate practitioners, preparing them thoroughly for the Board Examination at little or no cost to the individual. This enables firms to provide practical, workplace-based training alongside the theoretical knowledge required for the examination, producing practitioners who are not only knowledgeable but genuinely ready to serve consumers from day one.
I also wish to commend the CEO of the PPRA, Thao Ramaili, for her leadership in recognising that the existing qualification framework had become an unnecessary obstacle to attracting, developing and retaining talented property practitioners. Rather than accepting the status quo, she has diligently championed a practical solution that removes unnecessary barriers to entry while preserving the professionalism and integrity of the industry. She deserves to be applauded for driving a reform that will make the profession more accessible, support meaningful transformation, reduce the cost of entering the profession and strengthen the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s real estate sector.
Finally, I trust that this progressive approach will, in due course, be extended to those seeking to qualify as Property Practitioner Principals. Just as the Board Examination now provides an alternative to the Further Education and Training Certificate: Real Estate (NQF Level 4) for property practitioners, I believe it should also replace the current requirement for Principals to complete the National Certificate: Real Estate (NQF Level 5) before writing the Principal Professional Designation Examination (PPDE). If the Board Examinations are appropriately designed to test legal knowledge, ethics, business management and professional competence, there is no reason why they cannot uphold—and potentially even enhance—the standards expected of both property practitioners and principals. Qualification should be based on demonstrated competence rather than lengthy and costly academic processes. This reform represents a significant step forward for our profession, and I wholeheartedly congratulate the PPRA for taking this bold and progressive decision in the best interests of the industry and the consumers we serve.
Tony Clarke
Managing Director
Rawson Property Group
When I entered the real estate industry in 2005/2006, I learnt the profession the way many successful practitioners of my generation did – on the ground, under the mentorship of experienced professionals. I was fortunate to train under Tanya Stevens, where I gained invaluable practical knowledge by working with buyers and sellers, solving problems and applying the law in real situations and learning the business every day. That practical experience, together with passing the old Board exam, laid the foundation for the career I enjoy today. I have since built my own successful franchise, mentored many new agents and created employment opportunities for others.
If you speak to many successful South African entrepreneurs, you will find that some of their most valuable lessons were learnt on the job rather than in a classroom. While formal education has an important place, entrepreneurship is often shaped through practical experience, mentorship, resilience and the ability to learn by doing. Real estate is no different. Not every profession requires an extended vocational qualification before someone can begin building a successful career.
I therefore applaud the PPRA for introducing this new pathway. The NQF has become a significant barrier for many talented people wanting to enter our commission-based industry. This reform opens the door to more entrepreneurs, supports transformation and gives aspiring agents the opportunity to start earning straight away, while still meeting a high professional competency standard.
Skoko Sebola – Principal – Leapfrog Property Group Midrand
RNS welcomes the PPRA’s announcement to introduce a practical pathway that will enable qualifying property practitioners to achieve compliance through the Professional Designation Examination process. This intervention recognises the reality faced by thousands of practitioners who have gained extensive practical experience but have been unable to complete the qualification process due to systemic delays and challenges within the education and assessment environment.
This initiative provides an opportunity to strengthen professionalism while restoring fairness to practitioners who have remained committed to the industry despite circumstances beyond their control. RNS believes the measure will significantly improve regulatory compliance, enhance consumer confidence and allow the property sector to move forward with a more realistic and sustainable professional qualification framework.
Nico du Plessis
Chief Executive Officer
RNS Group
Seeff is delighted to welcome this important step by the PPRA, which will help speed up the qualification process for aspiring property practitioners.
While the previous approach was well-intentioned at the time, it was ultimately impractical and acted as a deterrent for prospective property professionals.
This new arrangement will greatly benefit those wishing to enter the sector—particularly previously disadvantaged candidates—and will go a long way toward transforming the industry. Ultimately, this is excellent news for the property sector as a whole.
Samuel Seeff
Chairman
Seeff Property Group
I welcome the decision to replace the mandatory NQF Level 4 qualification with the requirement to pass the Professional Designation Examination (PDE 4) for practitioners seeking full-status real estate licences.
This is a progressive and practical step that lowers significant financial barriers to entry—particularly for previously disadvantaged individuals—while still maintaining the professional standards and integrity of our industry through a robust competency assessment.
As both Chairman of REBOSA and CEO of REMAX Southern Africa, I believe this change will make our industry more accessible, more inclusive, and better positioned to attract the next generation of talented property practitioners.
Adrian Goslett
Chief Executive Officer
REMAX of Southern Africa