Ahpcsa

⚠️ Important Notice to Practitioners

Any person practising within an AHPCSA-regulated profession in South Africa must be registered with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa.

This applies to:
✔ South African citizens
✔ Permanent residents
✔ Foreign nationals practising in South Africa
✔ Persons holding qualifications obtained locally or abroad
✔ Persons who are registered with an overseas or international professional body

Holding an overseas qualification, international certification, or registration with a foreign or international professional body does not automatically authorise a person to practise an AHPCSA-regulated profession in South Africa.

Individuals who obtained qualifications outside South Africa, or who hold registration with professional bodies in other countries, are required to follow the applicable AHPCSA registration processes and meet the prescribed requirements before they may lawfully practise within an AHPCSA-regulated profession in South Africa.

Registration helps ensure that practitioners meet the education, training, competency, ethical and professional requirements applicable to their profession.

If you are unsure whether your qualification or registration status meets the requirements for practice in South Africa, please contact the AHPCSA for guidance.

🔎 Registration Requirements:
https://ahpcsa.co.za/registration-requirements/

📄 Application Forms:
https://ahpcsa.co.za/forms/

🔎 Verify Practitioner Registration:
ahpcsa.co.za/practitioners

Happy Father's Day

Today, we celebrate the fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, father figures, and mentors who guide, support, and inspire those around them.

Thank you for the care, encouragement, wisdom, and strength you share every day. Your influence helps shape confident, resilient, and capable individuals for the future.

Wishing all fathers and father figures a wonderful Father's Day filled with appreciation and special moments with loved ones.

💡 DID YOU KNOW?

Essential oils are highly concentrated substances derived from plants and are commonly extracted through processes such as distillation.

Because they are concentrated, essential oils should generally not be applied directly to the skin without appropriate dilution and should be used according to professional guidance and safety recommendations.

Therapeutic Aromatherapy is a regulated allied health profession in South Africa that requires approved qualifications and registration with the AHPCSA.

Promoting safe use and public awareness helps support informed healthcare choices and patient safety.

🔎 Check practitioner registration:
ahpcsa.co.za/practitioners

The AHPCSA public register allows patients to confirm whether a practitioner is registered and authorised to practise within an allied health profession.

Youth Day | 16 June

Youth Day is a time to honour the courage, resilience and determination of the young people who helped shape South Africa's history.

It serves as a reminder of the importance of education, opportunity and empowerment in building a brighter future for generations to come.

Today, we recognise the contributions of young people across the country and celebrate their potential to drive positive change within their communities and society.

May this day inspire reflection on the past, appreciation for the present, and hope for the future.

Wishing all South Africans a meaningful Youth Day.

❓ "Are essential oils always safe because they are natural?"

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts and should be used with appropriate care and guidance.

Therapeutic Aromatherapy is a regulated allied health profession in South Africa that involves the use of essential oils within a professional therapeutic framework.

Like many healthcare products, essential oils may not be suitable for everyone and should be used according to professional recommendations and safety guidelines.

Understanding how essential oils are used, and when professional guidance may be appropriate, forms part of informed healthcare decision-making and preventative health awareness.

In South Africa, only practitioners registered with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA) may practise Therapeutic Aromatherapy lawfully.

🔎 Verify practitioner registration:
ahpcsa.co.za/practitioners

The AHPCSA maintains a public register of practitioners who are qualified and authorised to practise regulated allied health professions in South Africa.

🌿 Aromatherapy Awareness Week

Aromatherapy Awareness Week provides an opportunity to learn more about Therapeutic Aromatherapy, a regulated allied health profession in South Africa.

Therapeutic Aromatherapists are trained in the professional use of essential oils and related therapies within their scope of practice. The week aims to promote public awareness, safe use of essential oils, and the importance of consulting qualified practitioners.

Essential oils are highly concentrated substances and should be used responsibly and according to professional guidance.

When seeking Therapeutic Aromatherapy services, ensure that your practitioner is appropriately qualified and registered with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA).

🔎 Verify practitioner registration:
ahpcsa.co.za/practitioners

The AHPCSA practitioner register allows members of the public to confirm whether a practitioner is registered and authorised to practise within an allied health profession.

REMINDER: The Science Meets Touch Conference 2026 begins tomorrow, with the below session taking place on 31 May, shared on behalf of the Massage Therapy Association of SA.

🧠 POLYVAGAL TOUCH & MANUAL THERAPY

With Steven Goldstein (Australia)

What if the way you touch could directly influence a client’s sense of safety, regulation, and connection?

In this thought-provoking session, Steven Goldstein explores Polyvagal Theory and its application in manual therapy — helping therapists better understand how the nervous system responds to touch.

You’ll explore:

✨ The three circuits of the autonomic nervous system
✨ Key principles: hierarchy, neuroception & co-regulation
✨ The role of the vagus nerve in health and chronic dysfunction
✨ The Social Engagement System and its relevance in practice
✨ How to apply polyvagal-informed touch safely, ethically, and within scope

Drawing on leading thinkers such as Stephen Porges and Deb Dana, this session bridges neuroscience and hands-on practice — offering practical ways to foster trust, safety, and therapeutic connection.

📅 Sunday, 31 May 2026
⏰ 9:00am – 10:30am
🎓 1.5 CEUs | Level 1.A.3
💰 R350 Members | R400 Non-members | R50 Students

AHPCSA Mandatory Level 2.B.1 Bioethics and Jurisprudence Course
Join this AHPCSA CPD activity focused on Bioethics and Jurisprudence requirements for registered practitioners.
This mandatory Level 2.B.1 course will be presented by Ms Esther Pillay Naidoo, Registrar of the AHPCSA.

📅 Dates:
24 June 2026 | 13h00 – 14h00 (1 hour)
25 June 2026 | 13h00 – 14h00 (1 hour)

🎓 CEU’s: 4 CEU’s (2 hours)
💰 Cost: R400

📧 Registration:
Submit the following details together with proof of payment to:
[email protected] or [email protected]
• Name and Surname
• AHPCSA Registration Number
• Registration Category
• Proof of Payment Attached
Once payment has been confirmed, the course link will be provided by Camille Terry or Mpho Motau.

⏳ Closing date for registration and payment:
Friday, 19 June 2026

📢 NOTICE TO PRACTITIONERS
The Scope of Practice for Acupuncture has officially been promulgated.
Registered practitioners and interested stakeholders are encouraged to review the published regulation available on the AHPCSA website.

📄 View the document here:
https://ahpcsa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Scope-of-practice-of-Acupuncture.pdf

The Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA) remains committed to supporting professional standards, regulatory clarity and public protection within allied health professions.

🔎 Verify practitioner registration:
ahpcsa.co.za/practitioners

SHARED ON BEHALF OF Massage Therapy Association of SA

Have you checked out our annual conference line-up yet?

Science Meets Touch

MTASA 2026 Conference

📅 29–31 May 2026
💻 Online Conference Weekend
🎓 11.5 CEUs

We’re bringing together leading local and international voices to explore what happens when research, clinical reasoning, and therapeutic touch meet.

From fibromyalgia and musculoskeletal pain to matrescence, polyvagal-informed touch, research literacy, assessment skills, and evidence-based space design — this weekend is designed for therapists and healthcare professionals at every stage of practice.

✨ Evidence-based learning
✨ Professional connection
✨ Forward-thinking discussion
✨ MTASA AGM (2 CEUs – members attend free)

This is where science supports practice — and practice informs science.

📌 Save the date.

You won’t want to miss this.

Email [email protected] for more information