SACPCMP Registration Process

MC Pelser
1st May, 2022

HISTORY

The South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professionals was established in 2002 in terms of Section 2 of the Project and Construction Management Act (Act 48 of 2000).

The council’s aim is to regulate the Project and Construction Management professions whilst driving industry standards to the benefit of the public, employers, project stakeholders and other building industry practitioners.

The council continuously inspire growth as well as keeping their members updated with industry related developments in the construction industry and legislative requirements.

REGISTRATION PROCESS

Project Managers can register either as Candidates or Professional Construction Project Managers. Registration as a candidate is encouraged for parties who need to obtain the relevant experience required to register as Professional Project Managers and is viewed favourably when applying to register as Professional.

There are five Registration Categories for Construction Managers and Construction Project Managers under which an applicant can apply:

• Candidate Construction Project Manager.
• Candidate Construction Manager.
• Professional Construction Project Manager (Pr. CPM).
• Professional Construction Manager (Pr CM).
• Professional Construction Mentor (Pr CMentor).

To register under one of the categories an applicant can follow one of the Registration Routes available, which are determined by their qualifications and years of experience. The following registration routes can be followed:

• Accredited Qualifications and relevant Experience.
• Accredited Qualifications, without relevant experience.
• Non-Accredited qualifications, with or without relevant experience.
• No formal qualifications, but with some relevant experience.
• Academic route which applies to Applicants in the academic environment involved in teaching and research activities relevant to the construction environment and with 4 years’ experience.

For applicants with relevant Accredited Qualifications the following Registration criteria applies:

• Accredited Honours Degree in the Built Environment field of study with a minimum of four years post-graduation relevant practical experience.
• Accredited B-Tech qualification in the Built Environment field of study with a minimum of five years post-graduation relevant practical experience.
• An accredited National Higher Diploma in the Built Environment field of study with a minimum of six years post-graduation relevant practical experience.
• An accredited National Diploma in the Built Environment field of study with a minimum of seven years post-graduation relevant practical experience.

When assessing relevant practical experience emphasis falls on Project Management Competencies as both Principal Consultant and Principal Agent. The applicants experience in all 6 Stages of the project lifespan is considered:

• Stage 1: Project Initiation and Briefing,
• Stage 2: Concept and Feasibility,
• Stage 3: Design Development,
• Stage 4: Tender documentation and Procurement,
• Stage 5: Construction documentation and Management,
• Stage 6: Project Close out.

To register as candidate requires less experience and applicants will be required to submit reports on an annual basis to assess their readiness for full registration as professional.

Application can be completed online on the SACPCMP web portal. Any party wishing to register can create a profile where their details are stored and progress regarding their application is shared. The application procedure and required documentation to be submitted are as follows:

• Completed Application Form (online application form).
• Certified copies of Identification Document.
• Certified copies of relevant qualification certificates and professional registrations.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Academic Transcripts.
• An applicable application fee as prescribed by the Council.
• SAQA Evaluation (in case of foreign qualification).
• Compulsory psychometric examination for construction mentorship applications.
• Project profile.

List of projects involved in the last 4 years indicating the following:

• Name of project.
• Type and description of project.
• Geographical Location of project.
• Name of Client, position and Contact details of client representative.
• List of participating organizations.
• Year started and year completed (or planned completion date).
• Original Completion date and Actual Completion date.
• Percentage of Practical Completion.
• Total Value of project.
• Percentage participation of applicant’s organization in project.
• Applicants’ role in the project.
• Was the project successfully completed.
• Project Reports.

Two reports detailing the Successes and Challenges experienced on the project. The reports must be based on 9 Project Management Knowledge Areas:

• Project Integration Management.
• Project Scope Management.
• Project Time Management.
• Project Cost Management.
• Project Quality Management.
• Project Human Resources Management.
• Project Communication Management.
• Project Risk Management (including OHS).
• Project Procurement Management.

On receipt and scrutiny of documents, the applicant is notified should any documents fail to adhere to the requirements set out by the council. For all information to be verified the following Assessment Process is followed by the Council:

• Phase 1 – Internal Assessment of the Application. The council assesses all documents submitted and confirm that all requirements are met.

• Phase 2 – Assessment by Experts. The applicant’s reports and profile is sent to external assessors for review. Submissions that receive a positive review are referred for interviews by a panel of experts.

• Phase 3 – Approval Letters. Successful applicants are issued with an approval letter and a registration certificate. Unsuccessful applicants are deferred, and a letter issued with the reason why they won’t be registered at this stage.

CONDUCT OF PREFESSIONALS

The council published the Revised Code of Conduct for Registered Persons on 28 July 2017 which guides the professional conduct of its members. All registered professionals are required to adhere to this code or could face disciplinary procedures (including possible deregistration).

The code deals with ethical and administrative requirements that professionals must adhere to. This includes the following aspects of professional conduct:

• Competency.
• Integrity.
• Public Interest.
• Environmental.
• Dignity of the profession.
• Administrative requirements.

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD)

CPD is defined as the systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skills, and the on-going development of personal qualities necessary for the execution of professional and technical duties throughout a practitioner’s working life.

The council provides guidance and a framework based on a 5 yearly cycle for construction and project management professionals, which is integrated with the Council for the Built Environment and other related professions. Professionals are required to report on their CPD activities annually and are audited on such every 5 years.

Professionals are required to report on CPD activities in the following categories:

•  Category A – Core Knowledge/Non-Core Knowledge.
• Category B – Mentorship.
• Category C – Ongoing practice.

Points are allocated per category based on hours spent and earned annually. Professionals are required to participate in more than one category and are to submit proof of the completed CPD activities annually (commencing from date of CPD registration). Professionals must earn a minimum of 10,4 points (5,2 hours), in a combination of categories every year to add to a cumulative 52 points (26 hours) for every 5-year cycle. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in remedial action being instituted by the council for a one-year period. Professionals who fail to comply after the remedial programme will be deregistered.

CONCLUSION

The South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions are mandated by law to regulate the Project and Construction Management Professions by means of registration, code of conduct and CPD.

These processes might seem daunting at first, but support is provided by the council for those who wish to register in terms of the act and the processes and requirements are well documented and applied fairly.

The SACPCMP’s website (sacpcmp.org.za) provides further details on the aspects discussed above and parties who wish to start their registration process can create a profile to manage the process.

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