Author: Abbaas Kamalie

The Professional Designation Examination (PDE) is an intergrated examination of knowledge for property practitioners. According to the Estate Agents Affairs Board (EAAB), in order to be registered as full status property pracitioner, one of the requirements is to successfully complete the PDE. There are also other requirements to be a full status property practitioner such as having to complete an internship. 

However, in terms of the new Property Practitioners Act (PPA) and the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA), it is no longer a prerequisite to be registered with the PPRA as a candidate property practitioner before being able to to study and write the PDE. This means that should a person pass their PDE and complete six practical course modules, they may be able to start selling property after six months as a non-principal property practitioner under supervision by a professional and qualified property practitioner. The PPRA shall make arragements that examinations can be written four times a year, set at times determined by the PPRA. 

In the PPA, the definition of property practitioners has been extended to include various people in the property sector with different qualifications and training, included in this definition is rental agents, bridging agents, mortgage originators. The PPRA will in good faith consult with representative boards to establish principles that set qualification standards, course material in support of the standards established and 

further examinations for those who wish to qualify as a property practitioner. This is in order to equip property practitioners with the necessary skills required for them to operate in an appropriate and efficient manner in the property sector. 

Currently the PDE application process incorporates knowledge components as well as case study components, however, this may be subject to change as the PPA and PPRA transitions into place. Applicants are required to achieve an overall of 65% passing mark for the exam in order to be certified as a property practitioner. 

While the PPRA will come into effect with the PPA, many processes and regulations are yet to be finialised based on consultation and input with various industries in the property sector. In the interim, the EAAB’s website below provide information on the current PDE processes which will be updated and renewed once the PPRA is fully in effect. 

https://www.eaab.org.za/myffc/pde

https://www.eaab.org.za/education/professional_designation_examination

Be sure to check on VTC’s website for updates once more has been finalised.