Professional Credentialing

The HWBSA Professional Credentialing Framework

Education, supervised practice, competency assessment, credentialing and continuing professional development — under HWBSA's own professional standards.

HWBSA credentials are professional designations established by the Health and Wellness Board of South Africa. They are not university degrees, Master's degrees, NQF or SAQA qualifications, or statutory healthcare licences.

Entry Pathways into HWBSA

TNISA AcademyUniversitiesCollegesOther private education providersInternational institutionsExisting professional practiceRecognition of Prior Learning (RPL)Other HWBSA-approved education pathways

The Credentialing Chain

Education Provider

Educational Qualification

HWBSA Eligibility

HWBSA Competency Assessment

HWBSA Professional Credential

An education provider qualification is not an HWBSA credential. Education establishes eligibility; HWBSA determines professional competency.

The Four HWBSA Credentials

HWBSA Certified Practitioner

Entry professional credential. Applicants may qualify through one of three routes. The credential issued is discipline-specific.

Route A — Approved Qualification

EducationMinimum 6-month professional Certificate
Guided learningMinimum 120 guided learning hours
Practical hoursMinimum 100 practical hours
Supervised practiceMinimum 50 supervised practice hours

Route B — Higher Qualification

Education12-month Diploma or higher
Practical hoursMinimum 150 practical hours
Supervised practiceMinimum 50 supervised hours

Route C — Existing Practitioner / RPL

Professional experienceMinimum 2 years documented professional practice
EducationRelevant qualification/training
PortfolioPortfolio assessment
CompetencyHWBSA competency assessment

No additional numerical requirements apply to this route unless configured by an HWBSA Super Administrator.

Mandatory assessment components

Pass the HWBSA Ethics ExaminationPass the HWBSA Practitioner Competency AssessmentSign the HWBSA Professional Code of ConductMeet applicable safeguarding requirements where applicable

Credential naming: issued credentials are discipline-specific — the practitioner's registered HWBSA discipline forms part of the credential title.

HWBSA Advanced Practitioner

Advanced discipline-specific credential. Education establishes eligibility; HWBSA determines professional competency.

Requirements

EducationMinimum 12-month professional Diploma OR approved equivalent
Professional experienceMinimum 2 years active professional practice
PracticeMinimum 500 documented professional practice hours
SupervisionMinimum 100 hours supervised professional practice

Mandatory assessment components

Advanced case assessmentWritten examinationPractical/observed assessmentProfessional portfolio

Completion of a 12-month or 24-month education programme does NOT automatically grant Advanced Practitioner status.

Credential naming: issued credentials are discipline-specific — the practitioner's registered HWBSA discipline forms part of the credential title.

HWBSA Certified Supervisor

Supervision credential. Supervisor authority is discipline-specific and does not extend automatically to other HWBSA disciplines.

Prerequisite: Must already hold HWBSA Advanced Practitioner

Requirements

Professional experienceMinimum 3 years post-credential professional practice
Supervision providedMinimum 200 hours of professional supervision provided
SuperviseesMinimum 5 supervisees over the required period
Supervisor trainingMinimum 60-hour Supervisor Development Programme

Mandatory assessment components

Supervisor competency examinationObserved supervision sessionSupervisor portfolioEthics assessment

Credential naming: issued credentials are discipline-specific — the practitioner's registered HWBSA discipline forms part of the credential title.

HWBSA Master Practitioner

The highest initial HWBSA professional credential. Discipline-specific.

Education — Route A

EducationRelevant Bachelor's degree or higher

Education — Route B

EducationHWBSA Advanced Professional pathway with substantial professional education

Applicants without a Bachelor's degree are not rejected if they qualify through Route B.

Professional Requirements (all routes)

Professional experienceMinimum 7 years professional practice in the relevant discipline
Advanced practiceMinimum 2,000 documented professional practice hours
SupervisionMinimum 500 hours supervising/mentoring practitioners
TeachingMinimum 200 hours teaching, training or mentoring professionals
Professional contributionAt least 3 substantial professional contributions

Mandatory assessment components

Written Master ExaminationAdvanced Case AnalysisPortfolio DefenceObserved SupervisionProfessional PresentationMaster Panel Interview

Examples of professional contributions (configurable)

Research · Published work · Professional framework · Curriculum development · Community programme · Clinical/wellness protocol · Professional guideline · Conference presentation · Major programme development

HWBSA Master Practitioner is NOT a university Master's degree, and must not be described as equivalent to one.

A university Master's degree does NOT automatically make someone an HWBSA Master Practitioner.

Credential naming: issued credentials are discipline-specific — the practitioner's registered HWBSA discipline forms part of the credential title.

Master Reference Table

Credential	Education	Professional Experience	Practice	Supervision	Additional Requirements
HWBSA Certified Practitioner — Route A	6-month Certificate	Not separately specified	100 hours	50 hours supervised	120 guided learning hours + Ethics Exam + Practitioner Competency
HWBSA Certified Practitioner — Route B	12-month Diploma or higher	Not separately specified	150 hours	50 hours supervised	Ethics Exam + Practitioner Competency
HWBSA Certified Practitioner — Route C	Relevant qualification/training	2 years documented practice	Not separately specified	Not separately specified	Portfolio + HWBSA competency assessment
HWBSA Advanced Practitioner	12-month Diploma or approved equivalent	2 years active practice	500 hours	100 hours supervised	Advanced case + written exam + practical assessment + portfolio
HWBSA Certified Supervisor	HWBSA Advanced Practitioner	3 years post-credential	Not separately specified	200 hours provided	Minimum 5 supervisees + 60-hour Supervisor Development Programme + supervisor exam + observed supervision + portfolio + ethics
HWBSA Master Practitioner	Relevant Bachelor's+ OR Advanced Professional pathway	7 years	2,000 hours	500 hours provided	200 teaching hours + 3 professional contributions + 6-part Master assessment

All numerical requirements are configurable by an authorised HWBSA Super Administrator. Where a value reads "Not separately specified", no requirement has been set.

HWBSA Disciplines

HWBSA supports multiple professional disciplines. Requirements are structured as Credential → Discipline → Requirement, and disciplines are managed dynamically by authorised HWBSA administrators, who may create, edit, publish and archive disciplines. Published disciplines will appear here once released through the HWBSA administration system.

Candidate Status

HWBSA Candidate is the status held while progressing toward credentialing. Application statuses:

DraftSubmittedDocuments RequiredUnder ReviewApprovedRejectedAssessment EligibleAssessment ScheduledAssessment PassedAssessment FailedCredential Issued

Professional Register Statuses

Every credential carries a unique credential number and a public verification record.

ActivePending RenewalSuspendedExpiredWithdrawnUnder Review

Existing Practitioners & RPL

Existing HWBSA practitioners are not required to study through any single provider. Current registration is maintained, and qualifications, professional history, CPD and portfolio evidence may be submitted for mapping to the new credential framework, with additional competency assessment where required.

Begin your HWBSA credentialing journey

Applications are reviewed against the framework above.