Training providers apply for accreditation to the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), which is responsible for accrediting skills development providers for occupational qualifications, old trades, N4-N6 programmes, historically registered qualifications and skills programmes. For some legacy qualifications a SETA, such as MICT SETA, handles accreditation. See the QCTO provider services page.
In short, you need a registered institution with tax compliance, proof of financial stability, premises, an occupational health and safety audit and a workplace arrangement, followed by a desktop evaluation and a site visit. Accreditation lasts five years.
Business Requirements at a Glance
- A legal entity or institution with CIPC documents or proof of establishment (PTY, CC, NGO, NPO or public institution)
- The latest Tax Compliance Status
- Proof of financial stability
- A valid occupational health and safety (OHS) audit report
- Proof of premises, by ownership or lease
- A signed workplace MoU, or a Letter of Intent
- Facilitator and assessor CVs with certified qualifications
- A desktop evaluation and a site visit, then a decision by the Accreditation Committee
The QCTO’s Road to Success guide sets out these requirements for providers offering occupational programmes. The QCTO site holds the current forms, so use it to confirm the latest version before you apply.
Registration and Legal Requirements
Your institution must be a recognised legal entity. The QCTO asks for CIPC registration documents or proof of establishment, and the latest Tax Compliance Status. State entities such as government schools, departments, universities and TVET and CET colleges are exempt from the tax compliance requirement. If you are still setting up your company, start with company registration requirements.
Two or more skills development providers cannot be accredited using the same physical address, so each provider needs its own premises.
Does MICT SETA accredit providers?
Yes, for providers whose primary focus matches the SETA’s. MICT SETA states that an applicant must be registered as a provider under the applicable legislation and have a quality management system with policies, procedures and review mechanisms.
MICT SETA also publishes a notice on accreditation validity for 30 listed historically registered qualifications. Their accreditation stays valid in line with the last enrolment and achievement dates in Government Gazette 50742 of 3 June 2024. The last enrolment date was extended to 30 June 2025, with a possible further extension to 30 June 2026, so check the notice and the latest gazette for the current dates before enrolling learners.
Documents and Ownership Information Required
- CIPC registration documents or proof of establishment
- The latest Tax Compliance Status (not required of state entities)
- Proof of financial stability: financial statements if you have operated for more than a year, or a business plan if for less than a year
- A valid OHS audit report by an authorised person
- Proof of premises, whether ownership or a lease
- A signed workplace MoU, or a Letter of Intent signed by you and the prospective workplace, with an intent to sign an MoU after accreditation
- CVs and certified qualifications of your facilitators and assessors
Applicants who cannot provide a signed workplace MoU must present the Letter of Intent instead.
Tax, Licence and Compliance Requirements
Tax compliance is a condition of accreditation for non-state providers, so keep your tax affairs in order before you apply and while you are accredited.
For N4-N6 (NATED Report 191) programmes, applicants receive a pro-forma invoice for a non-refundable desktop evaluation fee. The QCTO guide gives this as R2 000, but the guide is the August 2023 version, so confirm the amount with the QCTO. The QCTO does not list a general accreditation fee in that guide, so ask the QCTO or the relevant SETA what applies to your programme.
Process, Deadlines and Ongoing Obligations
- Complete the online application form on the QCTO site.
- The QCTO sends an upload link within 2 working days. You then have 21 days to upload your documents.
- The QCTO does a desktop evaluation of your legal requirements.
- A QCTO verifier or a Quality Partner verifier visits your site, virtually or physically.
- After the visit you have 5 working days to submit any remedial information.
- The report goes to the Accreditation Committee.
The accreditation timeframe is 90 working days, counted from when all supporting documents have been uploaded. Accreditation is valid for 5 years, and re-accreditation follows the same process, so diarise it well before expiry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who accredits training providers in South Africa?
The QCTO accredits skills development providers for the programme types listed above. SETAs act as quality partners or handle legacy qualifications, for example MICT SETA.
How long does SETA or QCTO accreditation take?
The QCTO’s timeframe is 90 working days from the point your supporting documents are fully uploaded.
How long is accreditation valid?
QCTO accreditation is valid for 5 years.
Can two training providers share one address?
No. Two or more providers cannot be accredited using the same physical address.
What if I do not have a signed workplace MoU yet?
Submit a Letter of Intent signed by you and the prospective workplace, stating that you intend to sign an MoU after accreditation.
What is MICT SETA accreditation?
It is accreditation by MICT SETA for providers in its primary focus area. Read the MICT SETA accreditation page for its conditions.
Confirm current forms, fees and requirements with the QCTO or your SETA before applying. See business and compliance requirements and company registration requirements.