CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (“CPD”)
FOR ESTATE AGENTS
1. Introduction
The ongoing professionalisation of the estate agency sector, which commenced on 15 July
2008 with the implementation by the Estate Agency Affairs EAAB (“the EAAB”) of a
meaningful and coherent educational programme for both principal and non-principal estate
agents, necessitates that estate agency practitioners should remain current insofar as their
knowledge, skills and competencies are concerned. Estate agents must be kept continuously
apprised of relevant trends, developments and/or changes that have occurred, are presently
occurring and are also likely to occur within the South African socio-political-economic
environment in general and the estate agency and property sectors in particular.
Regulations 8(1) and (2) of the Standard of Training of Estate Agents Regulations,
contained in Government Notice R. 633 of 4 June 2008 (“the Education Regulations”),
specifically provide in this respect that the EAAB may, at any time, prescribe any
reasonable Continuing Professional Development (“CPD”) requirements to be completed by
estate agents over a rolling three year cycle.
The purpose of this document is to outline the CPD requirements, processes and
reporting prescribed by the EAAB and with which estate agency practitioners are obliged
to comply if they wish to maintain their fidelity fund certificates authorising them to
practice as estate agents.
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2. What is CPD?
It is self-evident that all professional estate agency practitioners who have been certificated
against:

the Further Education and Training Certificate: Real Estate (for non-principal estate
agents); and/or

the National Certificate: Real Estate (for principal estate agents); and

who have, in addition, passed the Professional Designation Examination for principal or
non-principal estate agents, as the case may be;
have already demonstrated that, as committed practitioners, they are worthy of being
regarded as competent professionals operating within the estate agency sector of the South
African economy. This assessment does not necessarily imply, however, that such persons
continue to remain aware of, and ensure that they are always fully acquainted with, the latest
trends, developments and technologies occurring within the South African socio-politicaleconomic environment as well as within the dynamic, volatile and continually evolving
estate agency environment.
The underlying objective of the mandatory CPD programme, therefore, is to ensure that
professional estate agency practitioners not only remain current in their professional practice
where such vital aspects as knowledge, skills and competencies are concerned, as well as in
the proficient manner in which estate agency services are rendered to consumers, but that
they are also kept fully acquainted with, and mindful of, material changes and developments
occurring within the estate agency sector.
Professional estate agents must ensure that they comply fully with all legislative, and any
other, requirements pertaining to the sector in which they operate. Professional estate agents
are, furthermore, obliged to ensure that their business related skills, aptitudes and
competencies at least meet, if not exceed, current organisational and enterprise requirements
including such relevant aspects as, for instance, the expert use of appropriate IT systems
including financial and client management software packages.
It is accepted, furthermore, that active participation by estate agency practitioners in estate
agency sector related activities also constitutes an important aspect enabling estate agents
continuously to remain abreast of relevant sector and environmental developments.
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3. The benefits of a CPD programme for estate agents
In a fast evolving, ever changing, extremely volatile and exceptionally competitive property
and estate agency environment it is essential that professional estate agency practitioners are
able to demonstrate their knowledge, competencies, skills and professionalism through
vigorous and ongoing participation in appropriate, meaningful and value-adding CPD
programmes.
Estate agents, by actively committing themselves to participation in the compulsory CPD
programme are, furthermore, able unequivocally to demonstrate to their various internal and
external stakeholders:






a commitment to achieving and maintaining the highest standards of performance excellence;
the necessary commitment, passion and dedication to advancing themselves in a career of
choice;
the desire constantly to learn, gain additional knowledge and improve both as a professional
estate agent and as a law abiding citizen;
an enduring interest in the estate agency sector as well as in the general property sector and
economic environment in which they operate;
an ongoing knowledge and awareness of relevant trends and developments within the estate
agency sector pertaining, in particular, to products, services, statutory compliance and the
building and retention of efficient and effective strategies and business management systems;
and
skills and competence in the establishment, management, control and expansion of
sustainable and economically and reputationally successful estate agency businesses and
enterprises.
4. The benefits of CPD generally
Estate agents, by participating in the mandatory CPD programme, will keep their registration
current and enable the EAAB annually to issue valid fidelity fund certificates to them. The
issue of such fidelity fund certificates will, in future, be indicative of the fact that the EAAB
has accredited those estate agents to their co-principals/employers, stakeholders and clients.
A valid fidelity fund certificate will, furthermore, evidence a positive commitment by the
holder to the estate agency profession, the relevant estate agency enterprise and the own
personal development of that estate agent.
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The maintenance and continual development of competencies and professional skills and
knowledge is, furthermore, one of the major factors indicating professional standing. It is,
indeed, this professional standing that inevitably sets qualifying estate agents apart from their
non-professional counterparts in the eyes of consumers and other stakeholders. CPD
compliance distinguishes qualifying estate agents as highly desirable and valued professional
property practitioners who abide by professional standards and are able to provide excellent
estate agency services. CPD will undoubtedly serve to instill not only confidence but also
higher expectations in the minds of clients, stakeholders and co-principals/employers alike.
5. The award of professional designations by the EAAB
A professional designation will be awarded by the EAAB to all professional estate agents as
an indication of their status as registered estate agency professionals. Qualifying estate agents
may use this designation and a logo, still to be approved by the EAAB, on their business
cards, when advertising their estate agency services and, generally, in their organisations.
5.1 Non-principal estate agents
Non-principal estate agents who have successfully undertaken the Professional Designation
Examination, and who hold a current fidelity fund certificate issued by the EAAB, will be
entitled to use the designation ‘Professional Practitioner in Real Estate (“PPRE”)’.
5.2 Principal estate agents
Successful principal estate agents will be accorded the designation ‘Master Practitioner in
Real Estate (“MPRE”)’ for so long as such estate agency practitioners, similarly, hold a
current fidelity fund certificate issued by the EAAB.
6. CPD is reflective of a continuing interest in the property and estate agency sectors
A further benefit of CPD for, particularly, non-principal estate agents lies in the fact that their
principals can be confident and satisfied of such persons’ continuing interest in the property
and estate agency sectors and, also, in advancing their careers as professional estate agents.
Principals can also be reassured that the estate agency advice, products and services that are
offered by non-principals in their service to stakeholders are not only fully compliant but also
current. It is axiomatic that CPD compliant estate agents are destined to emerge as leaders of
the profession since they will be able to utilise, and benefit from, the latest technology and
thinking in the sector. This can also be used to the advantage of their particular estate agency
enterprises.
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Principal estate agents can be confident that both they as well as the non-principal estate
agents in their service remain in touch not only with relevant developments at the national
but also at the international estate agency levels. All inputs of estate agents will, inevitably,
become more professionally orientated since CPD compliance will serve as a valid indicator
that estate agency professionals are aware, up-to-date, passionate and committed to the
advancement of the estate agency profession.
7. The benefit of CPD to the estate agency profession
The introduction of CPD requirement will ensure that increased public pressure is placed on
non-registered estate agents to apply to the EAAB for the issue to them of valid fidelity fund
certificates and to regularise their status as estate agency practitioners. It is more likely that,
under the new professionalised dispensation, non- or under-qualified persons who attempt to
practice illegally as estate agents will not be tolerated by either prospective clients or
stakeholders. It is anticipated, in addition, that non-complaint estate agents will not easily be
able to secure any type of employment with reputable, professional estate agency enterprises.
The introduction of the CPD requirement will also serve to establish and maintain the highest
standards of competence and service excellence. CPD will, no doubt, further encourage the
values of honesty, integrity and credibility within the estate agency sector. CPD will cement
the professionalism that has thus far been achieved by the EAAB with the implementation of
the new educational dispensation for estate agents.
8. Extent: the required level of CPD for practicing estate agents
Regulation 8 of the Education Regulations provides as follows:
(1) In addition to the educational qualifications referred to in regulation 4, the EAAB may, at
any time, prescribe any reasonable Continuing Professional Development requirements as
contemplated in the NQF.
(2) Any Continuing Professional Development requirements prescribed by the EAAB in
terms of sub-regulation (1) must be completed over a rolling three year cycle.
Clearly, therefore, the CPD requirement to be instituted by the EAAB must be reasonable
and must be completed by estate agents over a rolling three year cycle.
It is believed, in the circumstances, that estate agents should, even if only in the initial stages,
be required to complete 60 CPD points over the rolling three year cycle. One point, for this
purpose, will equate to one hour of CPD. Once the CPD system has been introduced by
the EAAB it may, of course, prove to be necessary to adjust the envisaged CPD allocation
depending on such factors as complexity, availability and duration of any particular CPD
activity.
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9. Mix
9.1 Compulsory CPD activities for practicing estate agents
It is proposed that estate agents be permitted a significant degree of freedom in selecting
appropriate CPD activities. The education and training component of the CPD will,
however, be made mandatory for all estate agents. It is intended that a CPD calendar will
be complied by the EAAB, in liaison with sector specific professional bodies, at the
commencement of each calendar year. Estate agents will be required to diarise their
chosen CPD activities and also ensure that they duly attend the various CPD activities
that they have selected.
Compulsory CPD activities, thus, will comprise the specified education established by
the EAAB and delivered by EAAB approved and accredited continuing education
providers. The subject area for mandatory CPD activities will address, amongst other
topics, the latest sector compliance issues, legislative changes and work practices.
Mandatory CPD activities will generally take the form of training courses or workshops,
conferences, seminars, professional or educational functions, approved distance
education courses and other acceptable modes of training. The EAAB shall, from time to
time, be required to review all records furnished by such EAAB accredited CPD
providers to verify the on-going participation by practicing estate agents in the mandatory
continuing professional development programme.
9.2 Elective CPD activities for practicing estate agents
Elective CPD activities represent those activities that, while they have been approved by
the EAAB, have not been categorised as being mandatory activities. Estate agents may,
therefore, select the elective CPD activities that they would prefer to undertake by
choosing those topics that have a specific reference or interest to them, or to their estate
agency enterprises, from the list of approved CPD activities contained in paragraph 17
hereof. Each approved elective CPD activity must, however, have an educational
outcome, be sector specific and be categorised as being relevant to an EAAB approved
professional development subject area. CPD elective activities may take the form of, for
instance, training courses, seminars, workshops and approved distance education courses.
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10. Continuing education and training providers
Only EAAB approved CPD activities can attract CPD points. Education and training
providers wishing to obtain EAAB accreditation as approved continuing education providers
for the presentation of CPD activities, whether mandatory or elective, shall be obliged to
apply to the EAAB in the prescribed manner, and against payment of the prescribed fee, for
such accreditation. There is no limit to the number of continuing education courses that
EAAB approved continuing education and training providers may submit to the EAAB for
accreditation. When receiving such applications from approved continuing education and
training providers the EAAB will assess the material submitted to decide if the proposed
learning programme or event constitutes a valid continuing education activity and, if the
activity is approved, that activity will be published on the EAAB’s website in the approved
manner. The EAAB, however, reserves the right to audit all approved continuing education
and training providers to verify the nature of the learning programmes and/or events and
courses being presented as well as the attendance by participants thereat.
11. Compliance with the CPD programme by practicing estate agents
As from 1 August 2012 (“the effective date”) all practicing estate agents, whether principal
or non-principal estate agents, applying for the renewal of their fidelity fund certificates must
satisfy the EAAB that they have complied with the required continuing professional
development requirements in respect of the preceding calendar year, failing which it will not
be possible for the EAAB to issue any such fidelity fund certificates to applicants.
12. Procedure to be followed in cases of non-compliance with the requirements of the CPD
programme
Should it become apparent to the EAAB that any practicing estate agent has failed and/or
neglected to comply with the required mandatory continuing professional development
requirements for any calendar year, the EAAB shall be required, as the complainant in the
matter, to bring a complaint of conduct deserving of sanction against the offending estate
agent for investigation and prosecution in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations
Regarding Conduct Deserving of Sanction contained in Government Notice 51 of 26 January
2001, as amended.
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13. Appeals against any sanction imposed for non-compliance with the requirements of the
CPD programme
Any estate agent who has been found guilty of conduct deserving of sanction and has been
duly sanctioned accordingly, shall have the right to appeal against such finding and sentence
in accordance with the Procedure to be Followed in Respect of an Appeal to the Estate
Agency Affairs EAAB and the Manner in Which the Appeal Must be Heard as contained in
Government Notice 1334 of 9 May 2003.
14. Exemptions from the CPD programme
Any practicing estate agent who attains the National Certificate: Real Estate (SAQA QUAL
ID 20188) or the Further Education and Training Certificate: Real Estate (SAQA QUAL ID
59097), or any other estate agency qualification deemed by the EAAB to be of a similar
standing to those qualifications, after the effective date and who provides sufficient evidence
of the receipt of that qualification to the EAAB, will be exempted from the CPD
requirements for the calendar year in which the qualification in question was attained.
15. CPD exclusions
Any continuing education that has been undertaken by a practicing estate agent as the result
of a direction given by a committee of inquiry and/or by any other committee of the EAAB
and/or any court of law shall, however, not be eligible to be counted towards completion by
that estate agent of that estate agent’s CPD obligations.
16. Recordal of participation at CPD activities
The participation of estate agents at CPD activities will generally be recorded by the signing
of an attendance register at the commencement of the proceedings and, again, at its
conclusion. A certificate of attendance will also usually be issued to attendees at the
conclusion of the event. Failure by estate agents to participate at CPD events where they have
indicated an intention to do so may result in a charge of improper conduct being brought
against those persons by the EAAB.
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17. Approved CPD activities
Six categories of CPD activities have been identified by the EAAB for all estate agents,
namely:
 Education and training;
 Professional development;
 Corporate social investment;
 Mentoring and coaching;
 Reading and publishing; and
 Personal development.
Each of these separate CPD categories will include various activities.
17.1. Education and Training (Compulsory) - CPD points required: 15 points per year
(i.e. 45 compulsory CPD points over the three year cycle)
Education and training includes all education and training gained through acquiring the
SAQA accredited qualifications and attending short courses, seminars, conferences and/or
workshops, whether in-house or otherwise, where the focus is content specific and relevant to
property in general and estate agency in particular. Participation by estate agents as lecturers,
facilitators or contributors is also included in this category.
17.2. Professional Development (Elective) - Maximum CPD points permitted: 5 points
over the three year cycle
Professional development includes activities that contribute toward the development of the
practitioner in relation to the estate agency and property sectors.
17.3. Corporate Social Investment (Elective) - Maximum CPD points permitted: 5
points over the three year cycle
Corporate social investment activities have an internal sector focus and are undertaken to
expand both existing and new enterprises within the sector. Activities having an external
focus are undertaken to raise public awareness of the property sector or estate agency as a
career pathway, source of wealth and store of value. Examples of corporate social investment
activities include donating funds to charities, opening up internal schools for previously
disadvantaged students, taking interns from previously disadvantaged sectors into service and
so forth.
17.4. Mentoring and Coaching; (Elective) - Maximum CPD points permitted: 5 points
over the three year cycle
Mentoring and coaching activities refer to activities where estate agents assume
responsibility for the provision of guidance and the transfer of knowledge and skills to a
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protégé who might be an intern estate agent or a junior employee of the estate agency
enterprise. Mentoring and coaching could also include supervising further tertiary studies by
employees or stakeholders.
17.5. Reading and Publishing (Elective) - Maximum CPD points permitted: 5 points
over the three year cycle
Reading and publishing includes the reading of appropriate and relevant estate agency related
articles in magazines, scholarly journals, industry magazines, books and credible websites. It
also includes the publishing of articles in the same sources.
17.6. Personal Development (Elective) - Maximum CPD points permitted: 5 points over
the three year cycle
Personal development relates to activities which contribute to the development of knowledge
and skills that might not be directly related to property and estate agency but that will grow
the estate agent as a person, professional practitioner and sector leader.
18. Additional CPD activities
There may, in addition, be further CPD activities not appearing in the above table. Provision
will, in this respect, be made for estate agency practitioners to contact the CPD office of the
EAAB Education and Training Department to make appropriate suggestions on any other
activities that they would prefer to have included as appropriate CPD activities for the award
of CPD points.
19. Maintenance of a Portfolio of Evidence of CPD activities
All estate agents will be obliged to keep and maintain sufficient original evidence supporting
their CPD activities on file, in a Portfolio of Evidence (“PoE”), and may be required to
submit that PoE to the EAAB for checking or to produce the PoE to EAAB inspectors for the
same purpose. Supporting material to be retained in the PoE would, for instance, include
certificates of attendance, invoices, seminar notes and/or study notes and/or handouts, and so
forth.
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20. The CPD Process
Participation in the mandatory CPD programme is very simple.
The CPD process essentially comprises the following four steps:
20.1
Decide what estate agents need to participate to achieve the number of points
required.
Estate agents, using the four categories and the schedule of CPD activities, will decide on
the activities that they wish to participate in. They may already be involved in some of
the activities while others, such as the writing of articles, might be something new that
they have not previously been involved in.
Estate agents will be required to record the activities they have chosen on the CPD record
card in the “planned” column.
20.2
Estate agents must participate in the appropriate activities to accumulate the
required CPD points.
Estate agents must, therefore, implement what they have planned. If they intend
attending training they must ensure that the dates are properly diarised and that they have
registered for the events in question. If books are to be read or self-development is to be
implemented estate agents will be obliged to set realistic goals and to ensure that those
goals are achieved.
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20.3
The participation by estate agents in the chosen activities must be recorded.
Estate agents will be obliged to use the CPD record card to ensure that they have included
all categories. As they participate in each of the identified activities estate agents must
record the completed activity on their record card and ensure that they have included a
true copy of the evidence of their participation in the PoE so that everything is retained of
record and easily accessible. The PoE must be submitted to the EAAB annually for
assessment.
20.4
Estate agents must monitor and evaluate their progress throughout the CPD period.
Estate agents must ensure that they have achieved what they set out to do in respect of
CPD compliance. Any areas of concern should be highlighted and focused on until the
requisite number of CPD points has been attained.
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CPD RECORD CARD
2012 – 2013
Name:
Surname:
ID no.
Tel no./cellular:
E-mail address:
FFC No.
I declare that the content of this record card is a true reflection of the activities that I have
engaged in as part of my Continuing Professional Development as a practicing full status estate
agent.
Signature:
Name & Surname:
(Print)
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Date:
Planned
Planned
activity
activity
Activity
Activity
(date,
(date, duration,
duration,
description)
description)
Evidence
Evidence of
of
participation
participation
(Y/N)
(Y/N)
Professional Development
(Max 10 points per 3 year cycle)
Category
Category
and
and
weighting
weighting
Corporate Social Investment
(Max 10 points per 3 year cycle)
Total:
Total:
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No.
No. of
of
points
points
For
For office
office
use
use only
only
Personal Development
(Max 10 points per 3 year cycle)
TotaL:
Total:
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Mentoring and Coaching
(Max 10 points per 3 year cycle)
Planned
activity
Activity
(date, duration,
description)
Evidence of
participation
(Y/N)
Education and Training
(Max 10 points per 3 year cycle)
Category
and
weighting
Reading and Publishing
(Max 10 points per 3 year cycle)
Total:
Total:
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No. of
points
For office
use only