SAQA Professional Body

The ISACA South Africa Chapter has been formally recognized as a Professional Body with Professional Designations by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) in terms of the NQF Act, Act 67 of 2008.

In addition, the ISACA South Africa Chapter has been recognised as the official Professional Body (Professional Body ID: 1251) for two professional designations, namely:
  • Information Systems Audit Professional - ISAP (SA) (Designation ID: 1090)
  • Information Security Management Professional - ISMP (SA) (Designation ID: 1091)
You can search for any Professional Body in South Africa at the following link: https://pbdesig.saqa.org.za/index.php

The ISACA South Africa Chapter Board of Directors are proud to celebrate this wonderful achievement; after 7 years of hard work to achieve this status of recognition within the country.

Our objective is to:
  • Increase our relevance and credibility in South Africa;
  • Create pride in SA Chapter members; and
  • Create a proudly South African, well respective community of professionals.

We humbly request that all members complete their details on the security system that has been locally developed and secured by the ISACA SA Chapter: 
Steps:
1. Click on the following link: https://www.isaca.org.za/password-reset/
2. Enter your email address that you registered with on the ISACA International portal.  
3. You will receive an email to reset your password.
4. Once your password is reset, login into your account.
5. You will be redirected to your profile to complete the required fields.
6. Click Update Profile to complete.

Alternatively, you could complete the Data Collection Form and return it to saqa@isaca.org.za at your earliest convenience. 

Your data will be held in strict confidence, and subject to our privacy and security protection measures. All related policies can be found at https://engage.isaca.org/southafricachapter/aboutchapter/policies.

Here are some answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

I would like to know more / I am struggling to login to the portal. Who can I contact at the ISACA SA Chapter?
We appreciate all questions and feedback received. You are welcome to get in touch with us at
  • Email: info@isaca.org.za 
  • Telephone: 087 550 9289 from 09h00 - 15h00 on weekdays (excluding public holidays and weekends)
  • Whatsapp for Business: 072 117 7330

What is the NLRD?

The National Learners' Records Database (NLRD) is the management information system of the National Qualifications Framework. The NLRD holds records of all NQF information, including Professional Bodies and their Designations. It provides decision-makers with comprehensive aggregated information, especially in the fields of labour market trends; education and training; and career advice. 

What is the difference between a designation, certification and qualification?
A certification refers to the ISACA Global course whereby an exam is offered by ISACA Global and subsequent application is made to ISACA Global to become certified. Currently, ISACA Global offers a member of certifications including CISA©, CISM©, CRISC©, CGEIT©, CSX-P© and CDPSE©.

Whereas, a designation refers to an occupational qualification and the professional status conferred on an individual by the ISACA   South Africa Chapter once they meet certain requirements as stipulated in the ISACA SA Policy on Awarding and Revoking Professional Designations.

Is my ISACA SA Chapter designation internationally recognised?
The ISACA South Africa Chapter is recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) as a professional body and use the professional designations as registered by SAQA. SAQA and the NQF are recognised worldwide.

I am not a member of the ISACA SA Chapter. Can I still apply for the designation?
Membership to the ISACA SA Chapter is a pre-requisite for applying for the designation.

Can I maintain my ISACA certifications (CISA, CISM) without applying for the ISACA SA Chapter professional designations?
The CISA and CISM credentials are certifications that are administered and maintained by ISACA International. This requires an annual certification renewal fee. E.g. You could hold a certification and write your name as Mr. Joe Bloggs, CISA.

The ISAP (SA) and ISMP (SA) credentials are designations that are administered and maintained by the ISACA SA Chapter. The designation application fee is R850. E.g. You could hold a certification and a designation and write your name as Mr. Joe Bloggs, CISA, ISAP (SA).

With the distinction between certification and designation in mind, yes it will be possible to maintain your certification without applying for the designation.

Can I apply for the designation if I have any of CDPSE, CRISC, or CGEIT certifications?
No, we are taking a phased-in approach to registering of designations with SAQA. At present, the designations we have applied to register with SAQA are associated with/ linked to, the CISA and CISM certifications which the most are commonly held certifications amongst the members of ISACA SA Chapter. Designations linked to other certifications might be considered by the Board of Directors as a future initiative over the longer term.

How do I apply for a professional designation?
Only members in good standing that have signed the Code of Ethics and meet the minimum underlying qualifications, certification and experience can apply for designations. The underlying qualifications, certification and experience are listed in the Policy below. To apply for the designation status, use the form available here: ISACA SA Chapter Professional Designation Application Form.

Do I have to write an exam before I can be registered?
You do not have to write an exam to achieve designation status. These designations are awarded based on the verification and assessment of your membership, qualifications, certification and experience.

The following policies and procedures relate to Professional Designations:
ISACA SA Policy & Procedures for Developing, Awarding & Revoking Professional Designations

Listen to the SAQA Value Proposition from our Academic Relations & Education Coordinator, Mr. Edmore Taruvinga, MBA, LLB, BBSCT, CISA, CIA, CISM, CRMA, ITIL, ISAP (SA), ISMP (SA):