How to Get A Teaching License In South Africa 2026
This article contains information on how to get a teaching license in South Africa in 2026. In order to become a teacher in South Africa, whether as a South African citizen or a foreign-trained educator, there are specific legal and academic requirements that must be met. All teachers employed in public and independent schools in South Africa are legally required to register with the South African Council for Educators (SACE).
However, if you are keen to know exactly what you need to do to become a professional teacher in South Africa, then you should understand the qualification pathways, registration process, and licensing requirements regulated by SACE, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Department of Basic Education (DBE), and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A TEACHER?
1. NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE (NSC)
As the South African government is committed to improving the quality of education in the country, teachers undergo rigorous academic and professional training.
Before you can be considered for admission into a teaching qualification programme, you must obtain a National Senior Certificate (NSC). If you are still working toward your qualification, you may consider applying as a Teacher Assistant in the meantime. Admission requirements vary depending on the university and the teaching specialization you intend to pursue.
If you intend to teach a specific subject at secondary school level, you will generally need strong results in the related subject area. For example, candidates intending to become Mathematics teachers are expected to have strong Mathematics results in their NSC.
2. TEACHING DIPLOMA
Older teaching diplomas previously offered in South Africa have largely been phased out and replaced by qualifications aligned with the Minimum Requirements for Teacher Education Qualifications (MRTEQ) policy issued by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
Prospective teachers are now encouraged to pursue either a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), both of which are recognized by SACE for registration purposes. Aspiring teachers may also apply for the Funza Lushaka Bursary to fund their teaching qualification.
3. BACHELOR OF EDUCATION DEGREE (B.Ed.)
The Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree remains one of the primary and most recognized pathways to becoming a teacher in South Africa in 2026.
The qualification usually takes four years to complete at an accredited higher education institution. The B.Ed. combines subject content knowledge with pedagogical training, classroom management, curriculum studies, inclusive education, and teaching practice.
This qualification is aligned with the DHET’s Minimum Requirements for Teacher Education Qualifications (MRTEQ) policy, which ensures that graduate teachers possess the professional competencies required in South African schools.
Graduates who successfully complete a B.Ed. qualification become eligible to apply for registration with the South African Council for Educators (SACE). Students funding their B.Ed. through bursaries should note the Funza Lushaka Bursary closing dates.
4. THREE TO FOUR (3-4) YEAR DEGREE AND A 1-YEAR PGCE
The second major route into teaching in South Africa is completing a three to four-year bachelor’s degree in a specific subject area followed by a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).
The PGCE pathway is ideal for graduates who already hold a degree in subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, English, History, Accounting, or Sciences and later decide to enter the teaching profession. See the UKZN PGCE application process as an example.
The PGCE focuses primarily on professional teaching practice, curriculum delivery, assessment methods, lesson planning, classroom management, and pedagogy related to the candidate’s specialization.
Both the B.Ed. and PGCE are officially recognized qualification routes for SACE registration in 2026.
WHAT IS A TEACHING LICENSE?
A teaching license is an official professional registration that legally permits a person to work as a teacher in South Africa.
In South Africa, the teaching profession is regulated by the South African Council for Educators (SACE) under the SACE Act No. 31 of 2000. Section 21 of the Act makes it compulsory for every educator employed in a public or independent school to be registered with SACE.
WHAT COUNTS AS A TEACHING LICENSE?
In South Africa, your official SACE registration serves as your professional teaching license.
This registration confirms that your qualifications meet national standards and that you are legally recognized as a professional educator within the South African education system.
Teaching licenses must remain active and educators are required to maintain their registration status through the payment of annual SACE levies.
REGISTER WITH SOUTH AFRICAN COUNCIL FOR EDUCATORS (SACE)
Once you complete an approved teaching qualification such as a B.Ed. or PGCE, you must register with the South African Council for Educators (SACE) before you can legally teach in South Africa.
SACE registration applications can be submitted online through the SACE e-Services portal or via paper application.
The registration process generally requires the following:
- Completed SACE application form
- Certified copy of South African ID or passport
- Certified copies of academic qualifications and transcripts
- Certified copy of matric certificate
- Police clearance certificate
- Proof of payment of registration fees
Important: Police clearance certificates and certain supporting documents should not be older than six months at the time of submission.
Applicants are also advised to certify their documents at a South African Police Service (SAPS) station to ensure the certification stamps are clear and acceptable.
The current SACE registration fees for 2026 are:
- R200 for South African citizens and permanent residents
- R400 for non-South African citizens
- R180 annual levy payable by all registered educators
Furthermore, to apply for SACE registration, non-South Africans will have to submit;
- Proof of employment by a school in South Africa (where applicable)
- A valid work permit allowing you to teach in South Africa
- An evaluation report for employment in education obtained from the Department of Basic Education (DBE)
- An official evaluation report from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
- Proof of permanent residence in South Africa (where applicable)
- Foreign identity document or passport
- Letter of good ethical and/or professional standing from the teaching regulatory authority or Department of Education in the country of origin
- Certified copy of marriage certificate (optional)
- Proof of legal entry into South Africa such as a valid visa, asylum permit, refugee permit, or passport
Foreign-trained educators must first complete the SAQA and DBE evaluation processes before they can apply for SACE registration.
The SAQA evaluation determines whether the foreign qualification is equivalent to a South African qualification under the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), while the DBE determines whether the qualification is suitable for employment within the South African education system.
You will also need to select the teaching phase or specialization area you intend to teach. These include Foundation Phase, Intermediate Phase, Senior Phase, and Further Education and Training (FET) Phase.
For Intermediate, Senior, and FET phases, applicants usually specialize in subjects such as Languages, Mathematics, Sciences, Technology, Business Studies, and Humanities.
Upon successful verification and evaluation, SACE will issue you with a unique registration number confirming your professional teaching status.
CRITERIA FOR REGISTERING ACADEMICALLY QUALIFIED AND PROFESSIONALLY UNQUALIFIED PEOPLE
Professionally unqualified persons may be granted provisional registration by SACE under certain conditions.
Applicants are generally required to provide proof that they are completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) together with academic records confirming progress toward completion.
Provisional registration is usually granted for a limited period subject to completion of the required teaching qualification.
PROCESSING TIME
- South African citizens generally receive registration outcomes within approximately six weeks, depending on application completeness.
- Non-South African citizens may experience processing periods of up to three months or longer due to SAQA and DBE verification processes.
- SAQA foreign qualification evaluations may take:
- 30 working days (Normal)
- 20 working days (Urgent)
- 10 working days (Priority)
All educators working in South African schools, public and independent, must be registered with SACE. It is illegal to work as a teacher in South Africa without valid SACE registration.
WHY IS A TEACHING LICENSE IMPORTANT?
First, a teaching license improves your professional credibility and earning potential. Many schools prioritize professionally registered teachers and may offer better salary scales and career advancement opportunities to licensed educators.
Secondly, it increases your employment opportunities. Most public schools, private schools, and international schools require valid teaching credentials and SACE registration before employment. Check current openings at the Gauteng Department of Education, Limpopo Department of Education, and Western Cape Education Department.
Thirdly, it makes you a more competitive teaching candidate. Professional registration demonstrates that your qualifications meet South African educational and professional standards.
Furthermore, it improves your teaching competence. Teacher education programmes recognized under the MRTEQ policy include practical teaching skills, inclusive education, classroom management, curriculum implementation, and technology integration. Learn more about the seven roles of a teacher in South Africa.
OFFICIAL RESOURCES AND PORTALS
- SACE Official Website: https://www.sace.org.za/
- Department of Basic Education: https://www.education.gov.za/
- South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA): https://www.saqa.org.za/
CONCLUSION
The process of obtaining a teaching license in South Africa in 2026 is structured to ensure that all educators meet national academic and professional standards.
Whether you qualify through a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), registration with the South African Council for Educators (SACE) remains compulsory before you can legally teach in South Africa. You can complete this process through the SACE online registration portal.
Foreign-trained educators must additionally complete SAQA and Department of Basic Education (DBE) evaluations before applying to SACE.
By carefully following the official requirements, submitting properly certified documentation, and using official government portals, applicants can successfully obtain their teaching license and begin a professional teaching career in South Africa.
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