Should every professional have qualifications? Not necessarily.

A certificate isn't the same thing as competence

It is easy to ask:

“Is this person qualified?”

But a better question is:

“What qualification, registration, licence or other evidence is actually relevant to the work I'm hiring them to do?”

South Africa has professions and types of work that are regulated.

There are also many legitimate services where there isn't one compulsory statutory qualification that every provider must hold.

That doesn't make credentials unimportant.

It means the proof you look for should match the work.

First: qualification, registration and certification aren't the same thing

Terminology differs between professions, but in general terms:

Qualification: usually refers to education or training successfully completed through a relevant institution or programme.

Professional or statutory registration: means the person or business is registered with a relevant regulator or professional or statutory body, where that framework applies.

Licence, designation or scope: some industries distinguish between different categories or scopes of authorised work.

Certificate of Compliance or Conformity: generally relates to particular work or an installation. It shouldn't be confused with the worker's personal qualification.

When checking credentials really matters

Some professions and activities are specifically regulated. Where they are, check the requirements that apply to the particular work.

A few examples:

Electrical work

South Africa's Electrical Installation Regulations contain requirements governing electrical installation work, electrical contractors and Registered Persons.

Under Regulation 9, only a Registered Person may issue an electrical Certificate of Compliance. Not everyone who does electrical work holds that status, so ask who will inspect, test and certify the work where a CoC is required.

Gas installations

SAQCC Gas states that only a registered Gas Practitioner may issue a gas Certificate of Conformity.

Gas Practitioners are registered for specific gas types or categories and work within their applicable scope.

Check that the practitioner's registration is appropriate to the work you need.

Healthcare

Many health professions in South Africa operate under statutory professional councils.

The applicable regulator depends on the profession. Some professions are regulated by the HPCSA, while others are governed through their own statutory councils.

Not every wellness-related service falls under a health-professions council, so check what applies to the service you're considering.

Private security

PSiRA regulates South Africa's private security industry.

PSiRA states that persons rendering security services for remuneration must be appropriately registered under the regulatory framework, and customers can verify both individual and business registration.

If you're hiring private security services, check the relevant PSiRA status rather than relying only on advertising, reviews or an ID badge.

Plumbing

Not every plumbing task has the same requirements.

The Plumbing Industry Registration Board (PIRB) has different plumber designations, and plumbing certification requirements depend on the work involved.

Check what registration, designation or CoC requirements apply to the particular plumbing work.

Legal, accounting and other professional services

These sectors contain different protected titles, regulated activities, professional bodies and scopes of practice.

If you're hiring someone for a regulated legal, accounting, audit, tax or other professional function, check what statutory registration, professional designation or authorisation is actually required for that specific service.

What about jobs without one compulsory qualification?

Many useful services don't fit neatly into a single statutory registration framework.

Depending on the work, examples can include:

• painters;
• general handymen;
• professional organisers;
• upholsterers;
• photographers;
• DJs;
• certain creative services;
• gardeners;
• cleaners; and
• other general service providers.

That doesn't mean these providers “don't need qualifications”.

Many have valuable training, certifications, apprenticeships or other education.

The point is that there may not be one statutory credential that every person offering the service must hold.

So what should you check instead?

Where there isn't one compulsory credential, useful information may include:

Relevant experience

Ask whether they have experience with the type of job you need.

“10 years' experience” alone isn't proof of quality, but relevant experience can help you understand their background.

Previous work

Where appropriate, look at examples of completed work.

A portfolio can be particularly useful for visual or creative services.

Portfolios are selected examples, not guarantees of how your job will turn out.

Scope

Ask exactly what they do and don't offer.

Someone may be highly experienced in one part of a trade without offering every service in that category.

Training

Even where training isn't legally required, relevant courses, apprenticeships, manufacturer training or other learning can still be useful information.

Training isn't worth dismissing simply because it isn't mandatory.

Reviews and references

Reviews can show experiences submitted by previous customers.

References can provide additional context where appropriate.

Neither proves future workmanship or competence.

Quote and communication

Look for clarity about:

• scope;
• price;
• materials, where relevant;
• exclusions;
• timing;
• changes or additional work; and
• payment terms.

A qualification doesn't guarantee good work

Holding a qualification or statutory registration can show that a person has met particular requirements associated with that credential.

It doesn't automatically prove:

• that every job will be performed perfectly;
• good customer service;
• reliability;
• honesty;
• suitability for every job;
• reasonable pricing; or
• a particular outcome.

Credentials and actual service history answer different questions.

Being self-taught doesn't automatically prove skill either

In fields without a compulsory credential, someone may build substantial skills through work experience, mentoring, self-directed learning or practical training.

But calling yourself self-taught isn't proof of competence either.

In both cases, look at evidence relevant to the service.

Five questions to ask

1. Is this type of work legally regulated?
2. If it is, what registration, licence, designation or certificate applies?
3. Does this person's credential cover the work I actually need?
4. What evidence of relevant experience or previous work can I look at?
5. What exactly is included in the service or quote?

Don't confuse ID verification with qualification verification

On Know a Pro, ID Verified means the Pro completed Know a Pro's required identity-verification process.

It answers an identity question.

It doesn't answer:

“Is this person qualified to perform this particular regulated service?”

Check qualifications, professional registrations, licences or statutory credentials separately where relevant.

Reviews answer a different question too

Reviews can provide customer-submitted context about previous experiences.

They don't prove:

• statutory registration;
• qualifications;
• licensing;
• regulatory compliance;
• competence; or
• how your own job will turn out.

Use reviews alongside, not instead of, the checks relevant to the service.

The takeaway

Not every professional needs the same piece of paper.

For some work, specific registration, authorisation or certification is an important legal requirement. For other services, there may be no single compulsory credential, so experience, work examples, training, scope and customer feedback can provide additional context.

Don't hire based on paper alone, and don't dismiss credentials where they matter. Check the proof that actually applies to the job.

This article provides general consumer information and was reviewed in September 2026. Qualification, registration, licensing and certification requirements differ between professions and types of work and may change. Check the current requirements with the relevant South African regulator or professional body where applicable.