FAIS Qualifications
Recognised by the FSCA
For Financial Services Providers, Key Individuals, Representatives, and Compliance Officers
FAIS qualifications are approved by the FSCA. To meet the fit and proper requirements of the FAIS Act, certain FSCA recognised qualifications must be approved by the FSCA. These qualifications apply to all FSP categories — including Category I, II, IIA, III, and Compliance Officers.
The most recent official list was published on 31 May 2021, replacing the 2020 version. It includes over 190 pages of qualifications and subject combinations approved for various license types.
Important: Only qualifications listed in the FSCA’s official documents are recognised. If you’re working toward meeting the FAIS qualification requirements, it’s essential to verify that the institution you choose is SAQA-accredited and offers qualifications on the FSCA-approved list.
Need help finding a FAIS qualification provider?
Contact us and we’ll point you in the right direction →
Bonus: You can also access the full list directly from the FSCA’s website here: Visit FSCA Qualification Page
Transitional FSCA Qualification Rules
| Appointment Date Range | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Up to 2007 | 30 or 60 credits (based on license category) by 31 Dec 2009 |
| Appointed 2008–2009 | Option 1: 30/60 credit qualification by 31 Dec 2011 Option 2: Full qualification by 31 Dec 2013 |
| From 2010 onwards | Must hold a qualification listed by the FSCA upon appointment |
Approved Qualifications for FSPs: List of Appropriate Subjects
The FSCA also publishes a list of appropriate subjects that align with its recognised qualifications for FSPs. These are used when mapping modules or assessing older qualifications.
| ALL CATEGORIES | ||
| Accounting | Equities Settlement | Mercantile Law |
| Actuarial Science | Equity Investments | Micro-economics |
| Advanced Investment Advice | Equity /Equities | Money Laundering Control |
| Agricultural Economics | Estate and Trust Law | Money Laundering schemes |
| Applied Accountancy Skills | Estate Planning | Money Market |
| Applied Mathematics | Ethics | Money Market Settlement |
| Applied Statistics | Finance | Network Administration |
| Applied Time Value of Money | Finance for Non-Financial Managers | Operational Risk Management |
| Asset Classes & Basic Investment Principles | Financial Accounting | Payment Of Entitlement |
| Auditing | Financial Advise | Performance and Risk Strategy |
| Auditing and Internal Control | Financial Analysis | Personal Financial Planning |
| Authorisations And Approvals (Trading) | Financial Calculations | Personal Insurance Products and Practice |
| Banking | Financial Engineering | Portfolio Management |
| Banking Operations | Financial Governance | Practical Accounting Data Processing |
| Basic Economic Principles | Financial Management | Primary, secondary and wholesale markets |
| Behavioural Finance & Economics | Financial Market Operations | Principles Of Ethics In A Business Environment |
| Blockchain | Financial Market Regulatory Environment | Principles of Insurance |
| Bond and stock markets | Financial Markets | Principles of Life Insurance |
| Bonds | Financial Mathematics | Principles of Strategy, Financial Management and Risk |
| Bonds Settlement | Financial Operations | Principles of Taxation |
| Business Administration | Financial Planning | Process Management (Process Modelling And Control) |
| Business Assurance | Financial Planning Principles | Production Management |
| Business Economics | Financial Reporting | Prudential Requirements |
| Business Entities | Financial Services Industry | Quality Control In Call Centres |
| Business Environment | Financial Services Operations | Quantitative Economics |
| Business Ethics | Financial Services Preparations | Quantitative Finance |
| Business Finance | Financial Statements | Quantitative Investment Analysis |
| Business Informatics | Forex Exposure Management | Quantitative Techniques |
| Business Information Systems | Fundamentals Of Financial Services | Regulatory Environment |
| Business Insurance | General Management | Responsibilities of financial institutions |
| Business Integration | Global Business Environment | Retirement Finance |
| Business Management | Governance, Risk And Compliance Management | Retirement Planning |
| Business Management & Financial Risk Assessment | Group Retirement Benefits | Retirement Related Legislation |
| Business Mathematics | Health Benefits / Health Care Benefits | Retirement Preservation |
| Business to Business Marketing | Human Computer Interaction | Risk Financing |
| Call Centre Management | Independent audits and reviews | Risk Management |
| Capital market frameworks and concepts | Informatics | Risk Management and Insurance |
| Claims Management | Information Technology Architecture | Securities Information and Market Conditions |
| Client / Customer Services | Information Technology Enterprise | Securities Markets |
| Client Investment Needs | Insurance | Settlement (Finance) |
| Client Services and Financial Advice | Insurance & Risk Management | Small Business Management |
| Collateral Management | Interest-Bearing Investment | South African Financial System |
| Collective Investment Scheme Product Solutions | International Finance | Statistics or Analytical Techniques |
| Commercial Insurance Products and Practice | International Trade | STRATE |
| Commercial Law | Interpretation Of Statutes | Strategic Communication Management Skills |
| Companies Law | Introduction To The Financial Markets | Strategic Management |
| Complaints And Disputes | Introductory Financial Accounting | Strategy |
| Compliance function | Investment Management | Structured Systems Analysis and Design |
| Computer Architecture | Investment or Portfolio Management | Tax / taxation |
| Conduct Of Business (Regulation) | Investment Planning | Taxation Law |
| Consumer Behaviour | Investor Psychology | Taxation Planning |
| Corporate Finance | Law Of Contracts Or Delict | The Bond Market |
| Corporate Financial Planning | Law Of Succession | The Derivatives Market |
| Corporate Governance | Legal Environment | The Equity Market |
| Corporate Law | Legistlative Impact On Financial Advisors / Planners | The Regulation And Ethics Of The South African Financial Markets |
| Cost Accounting | Long-Term Product Solutions | The South African Foreign Exchange Market |
| Cost and Financial Management | Macro Economics | Trade and Business Law |
| Costing and Estimating | Management | Trading On The Exchange |
| Creation of Wealth | Management Accounting | Treasury Management |
| Credit Risk Management | Managing Client Assets | Trustee management |
| Crypto Banking | Market Conduct | Visual Programming |
| Crypto Currency | Market Risk Management | Wealth Creation |
| Debt Instrument Solutions | Marketing | Wealth Management |
| Descriptive Statistics and Probability | Mathematical Analysis | |
| E-commerce in Business | Mathematical Economics | |
| Econometrics | Mathematical Statistics | |
| Economics | Mathematics | |
| Employee Benefits | Mathematics for Finance and Business | |
| Entrepreneurship | Medical Schemes | |
Compliance Officer Qualification: List of Appropriate Subjects
| SUBJECTS | |
| Accounting | Financial Planning |
| Auditing | Financial/Securities Markets |
| Business Assurance | Fraud Risk Management |
| Accounting | Financial Planning |
| Auditing | Financial/Securities Markets |
| Business Assurance | Fraud Risk Management |
| Business Economics | Health Care Benefits |
| Business Environment | Informatics |
| Business Finance | Insurance |
| Business Information Systems | Interpretation of Statutes |
| Business Integration | Law of Contract or Delict |
| Business Management | Legal Environment |
| Commercial Law | Mercantile Law |
| Companies Law | Money Laundering Control |
| Compliance Management | Network Administration |
| Computer Architecture | Process Management (Process Modeling and Control) |
| Corporate Finance | Retirement Planning |
| Corporate Governance | Risk Management |
| Estate and Trust Law | Strategic Communication Management Skills |
| Estate planning | Strategic Management |
| Finance | Strategy |
| Financial Management | Wealth Management |
Keypoints and FAIS Fit and Proper Requirements
- All FAIS qualifications must be listed in the FSCA’s recognised lists to meet compliance requirements.
- RE5 Online does not issue SAQA-accredited qualifications, but we do prepare students to pass their regulatory exams (RE1 & RE5).
- Historical qualifications remain listed for reference but may no longer be offered.
- If unsure, contact the FSCA directly: Visit the FSCA’s website
Looking to prepare for your RE5 exam while you wait for your qualification?
View our Regulatory Examination Courses and Preparation Options →
FAIS Career Guidance Note
If you’re unsure if your NQF certificate is recognised as a FAIS qualification or need help planning a path toward full FAIS compliance, we strongly recommend reaching out to a SAQA-accredited institution.
RE5 Online is here to assist with:
- Regulatory exam preparation (RE1 & RE5)
- Study material and mock exams
- Live webinars and workshops with a pass guarantee
Get your RE5 Certificate first
Let’s help you get RE5-ready while you complete your FAIS qualifications!