The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is the statutory body regulating specific healthcare professions within South Africa. The council oversees healthcare practice, establishes standards for education and training, and upholds ethical professional standards as prescribed by the Health Professions Act No. 56 of 1974.
History The Health Professions Council of South Africa was established in 1974 under the Health Professions Act No. 56 of 1974. Regulation of medicine and allied professions in South Africa began in the 19th century, with the establishment of the Colonial Medical Council in the Cape Province in 1891. The Natal Medical Council was then established in 1896, followed by the Medical and Pharmacy Council of the Orange River Colony in 1904 and the Transvaal Medical Council in 1905.
Following the formation of the Union of South Africa, the South African Medical and Dental Council (SAMDC) was formed in accordance with Act 13 of 1928 to fulfil the functions of the former provincial councils. Act 56 of 1974 replaced Act 13 of 1928, and the HPCSA as it exists currently was formed. The SAMDC continues as a separate legal entity.
Professions regulated by the HPCSA The HPCSA regulates 12 categories of healthcare professionals. They are:
CategoryProtected TitlesNumber of RegistrantsDental Assisting, Dental Therapy & Oral HygieneOral Hygienist Dental Assistant
Dental Therapist9 454Dietetics and NutritionDietitian
Student Dietitian
Supplementary Dietitian
Nutritionist
Student nutritionist
Supplementary Nutritionist5 542Emergency CareBasic Ambulance Assistant
Ambulance Emergency Assistant
Operational Emergency Care Orderly
Emergency Care Assistant
Paramedic
Emergency Care Technician
Emergency Care Practitioner67 800Environmental HealthEnvironmental Health Practitioner
Student Environmental Health Practitioner
Food Inspector
Environmental Health Assistant5 903Medical and Dental (and medical science)Medical Practitioner
Clinical Associate
Anesthetist's Assistant
Health Assistant
Dentist
Genetic Counsellor
Medical Physicist
Medical Biological Scientist
Biomedical Engineer (register closed for new registrations)
Clinical Biochemist (register closed for new registrations)76 445Medical TechnologyMedical Laboratory Scientist
Intern Medical Laboratory Scientist
Student Medical Laboratory Scientist
Medical Technologist
Intern Medical Technologist
Student Medical Technologist
Medical Technician
Student Medical Technician
Supplementary Medical Technician
Laboratory Assistant
Student Laboratory Assistant
Supplementary Laboratory Assistant20 536Occupational Therapy, Medical Orthotics, Prosthetics & Arts TherapyOccupational Therapist
Supplementary Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapy Technician
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics
Supplementary Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics
Orthopaedic Footwear Technician
Orthopaedic Technical Assistant
Assistant Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics & Leatherworks
Arts Therapist: Drama, Music, Art & Movement9 324Optometry & Dispensing OpticiansDispensing Optician
Student Dispensing Optician
Supplementary Optical Dispenser
Student Supplementary Optical Dispenser
Supplementary Optometrist
Optometrist
Student Optometrist
Orthoptist5 331Physiotherapy, Podiatry and BiokineticsPhysiotherapist
Student Physiotherapist
Physiotherapy Technician
Physiotherapy Assistants
Student Physiotherapy Assistant
Remedial Gymnasts
Supplementary Biokineticist
Supplementary Podiatrist
Supplementary Physiotherapist
Masseur
Podiatrist
Biokineticist
Biokineticist Intern
Student Biokineticist
Student Podiatrist14 753PsychologyPsychologist
Intern Psychologist
Student Psychologist
Registered Counsellor
Psychometrist
Student Psychometrist
Psychotechnician
Student Registered Counsellor19 391Radiography & Clinical TechnologyStudent Radiographer Radiographer
Supplementary Diagnostic Radiographer
Clinical technologist
Encephalographic Technician12 893Speech Language and Hearing ProfessionsSpeech Therapist Speech Therapist & Audiologist
Audiologist
Hearing Aid Acoustician
Audiometrician
Supplementary Audiologist
Supplementary Hearing Aid Acoustician
Supplementary Speech Therapy and Audiology
Speech Hearing and Correctionist
Community Speech and Hearing Worker
Speech Therapy Assistant
Speech and Hearing Assistant5 281
All of these professions have at least one professional title that is protected by law, including those shown above. Anyone using these titles must be registered with the HPCSA. It is a criminal offence for someone to claim that they are registered with the HPCSA when they are not or to use a protected title that they are not entitled to use.
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