Health Professions Council of South Africa - HPCSA

09/03/2026

📄 Medical Certificates: What You Should Know

Did you know that medical certificates (“sick notes”) must meet strict ethical and professional standards in South Africa?

The HPCSA has issued guidance outlining what a valid medical certificate must include, when it can be issued, and the responsibilities of both practitioners and the public.
This quick guide explains:

✔ What information must appear on a valid sick note
✔ When a practitioner may issue a certificate
✔ Patients’ rights to confidentiality
✔ How employers and the public can verify authenticity

📎 See the attached guide for the full details.

09/03/2026

🚨 We’re Hiring!

The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates for the position of Head of Department: Legal and Regulatory Affairs.

If you have the expertise, leadership, and passion to strengthen regulatory and legal governance, we encourage you to apply.

📄 For full details on the role and application guidelines, please refer to the detailed job advertisement.

🍀 Best of luck to all applicants!

03/03/2026

Dear Practitioners,

Our digital platforms give you convenience at your fingertips!

The HPCSA Online Portal: https://hpcsaonline.custhelp.com/

The HPCSA AI-Chatbot: Visit www.hpcsa.co.za to access our interactive, AI-driven Chatbot, which will soon be available on WhatsApp. The Chatbot – represented by the inbox-style chat message icon at the bottom-right corner of the screen – provides:
• Instant responses
• Step-by-step application guidance
• Application tracking
• Real-time updates and news
• 24/7 support, including after-hours assistance

The HPCSA YouTube Channel: Follow on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/ for quick and informative tutorial videos, including:
• How to search for HPCSA-registered practitioners – https://youtu.be/glk1iT5bmP0
• How to view and update your profile – https://youtu.be/ch_5guxchoo?si=ZC_psyf1oGssfKht
• Creating an online account, logging in, and resetting your password – https://youtu.be/kYsXkkyPBRQ?si=zME5L6_gTrr3M4iu
• Students Registrations – https://youtu.be/cUuqw_PdIGY
• Graduates Registrations – https://youtu.be/hHiM8hF-iXo
• How to lodge a complaint –https://youtu.be/Db79MNj38Tw?si=zyYGOQnDduVhqiI1
• How to download your practising card – https://youtu.be/hgjvVv2r-MY
• CPD: requesting updates, submitting enquiries, and viewing compliance – https://youtu.be/16kbue8gHhY?si=gBmapoCqpt8sQuKO

26/02/2026

FOREIGN BOGUS PRACTITIONERS ARRESTED IN JOHANNESBURG CRACKDOWN

Protecting our communities and preserving the integrity of health professions remains a top priority. The HPCSA, working alongside law enforcement partners, continues to intensify action against illegal and unregistered practitioners to ensure safe, ethical, and lawful healthcare services for all.

Read the attached media statement to learn more about the latest enforcement efforts.

23/01/2026

23/01/2026

Dear Practitioners,

Our digital platforms give you convenience at your fingertips!

The HPCSA Online Portal: https://hpcsaonline.custhelp.com/

The HPCSA AI-Chatbot: Visit www.hpcsa.co.za to access our interactive, AI-driven Chatbot, which will soon be available on WhatsApp. The Chatbot – represented by the inbox-style chat message icon at the bottom-right corner of the screen – provides:

• Instant responses
• Step-by-step application guidance
• Application tracking
• Real-time updates and news
• 24/7 support, including after-hours assistance

The HPCSA YouTube Channel: Follow on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/ for quick and informative tutorial videos, including:

• How to search for HPCSA-registered practitioners – https://youtu.be/glk1iT5bmP0
• How to view and update your profile – https://youtu.be/ch_5guxchoo?si=ZC_psyf1oGssfKht
• Creating an online account, logging in, and resetting your password – https://youtu.be/kYsXkkyPBRQ?si=zME5L6_gTrr3M4iu
• Students Registrations – https://youtu.be/cUuqw_PdIGY
• Graduates Registrations – https://youtu.be/hHiM8hF-iXo
• How to lodge a complaint –https://youtu.be/Db79MNj38Tw?si=zyYGOQnDduVhqiI1
• How to download your practising card – https://youtu.be/hgjvVv2r-MY
• CPD: requesting updates, submitting enquiries, and viewing compliance – https://youtu.be/16kbue8gHhY?si=gBmapoCqpt8sQuKO

15/12/2025

HPCSA WELCOMES THE NEW PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL

The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), at its Council inauguration last Friday, elected its new President and Vice-President to serve for the period 2025 – 2030. The President of Council is Professor Wezile Chitha, and the Vice-President is Professor Sindisiwe Shangase.

When welcoming the President and Vice-President, the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, said: “We are delighted with the appointment of both the President and Vice-President, and I am confident of their leadership capabilities to steer the HPCSA and deliver on its mandate as encapsulated by the Health Professions Act, 54 of 1974”

10/12/2025

The following Professional Boards were officially inaugurated for the 2025–2030 term:

1. Professional Board for Emergency Care
2. Professional Board for Medical Technology

Congratulations to all newly appointed members as they begin their important work in advancing the professions and strengthening public protection.

09/12/2025

The Professional Board for Medical and Dental Professions has been officially inaugurated for the 2025–2030 term.

Congratulations to all newly appointed members as they begin their important work in advancing the professions and strengthening public protection.

06/12/2025

Highlights from Day 4 of the HPCSA Professional Board Inaugurations.