Ray Strodl Consulting (Pty) Ltd has for many years been a trusted training provider to the financial services industry, delivering NQF Level 5 qualifications to financial advisers and financial services professionals, including training for NC Wealth Management advisers.
A Critical Regulatory Transition Is Underway
The current NQF Level 5 Financial Services qualification officially expired in 2023, and the final date for the enrolment of new learners is 30 June 2026.
While a replacement qualification — the Occupational Certificate: Financial Services Practitioner (NQF Level 5) — has been developed and completed, it is not yet accredited by:
- QCTO
- SAQA
- FSCA
This new qualification includes specialisation streams in:
- Long-Term Insurance
- Pensions
- Health
- Investments
However, until accreditation is finalised, no training provider may offer this programme.
Why This Matters — And Why You Must Act Now
Verification meetings for the new qualification are only scheduled for next month. Even if the qualification is approved soon, training providers can only apply for accreditation after that point.
Historically:
- Provider accreditation takes at least 3 months
- If many providers apply simultaneously (which is likely), this process could stretch to 3–8 months
The Risk: A Training and Compliance Gap
If the legacy qualification closes on 30 June 2026 as planned, and the new programme is not yet available through accredited providers, the industry faces a serious skills and compliance gap.
This means:
- From 1 July 2026, new advisers may have no qualification available to enrol in
- Advisers needing to become Fit and Proper within 12 months could be forced to wait until early 2027
- In a worst-case scenario, enrolment may only be possible in April or May 2027, delaying compliance well beyond regulatory deadlines
For many advisers, this delay could be career-limiting.
The Smart and Safe Option: Enrol Now
If you:
- Need a qualification urgently for FAIS compliance
- Are under time pressure to meet Fit and Proper requirements
- Want certainty rather than regulatory risk
👉 The only guaranteed route is to enrol in the existing NQF Level 5 qualification before 30 June 2026.
By doing so, you can:
- Start immediately
- Continue training beyond the enrolment cut-off
- Complete your qualification by June 2027 without interruption
Previously Enrolled? You Must Act Too
If you previously enrolled, earned credits, but did not complete the qualification, it is critical that you re-enrol now to complete it before the deadline.
Failure to do so could result in lost credits and the need to start again under the new occupational framework — once it is eventually available.
Take Action Today
Do not wait for regulatory timelines to catch up with your career plans.
For guidance, enrolment support, or completion of legacy qualifications, contact us immediately:
📧 rstrodl@rscnetwork.co.za
📧 cstrodl@rscnetwork.co.za
This is a closing window. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.
Secure your qualification — and your Fit and Proper status — while you still can.
