What is RPL?
Recognition of Prior Learning - or RPL, as it is commonly referred to - is a process through which formal, non-formal and informal learning are measured, mediated for recognition across different contexts, and certified against the requirements for credit, access, inclusion or advancement in the formal education and training system or workplace.
The Estate Agency Affairs Board, when the new educational requirements were implemented due to the amendments to Regulations 633 of the Estate Agency Affairs Act, made provision for Estate Agents who were already registered as Full Status or Principal Agents to comply with the regulations by means of RPL. These requirements have since evolved, now catering to Agents who have received a certain number of valid Fidelity Fund Certificates, and have yet to comply with the necessary educational components. This means in order to Qualify for RPL, you must meet one of the following criteria:
For NQF 4 RPL, you must either be registered as a Full Status Agent with the EAAB, and have not yet completed the NQF 4 (this would usually be the case where you were registered prior to the new regulations being put in place), or you need to have received a minimum of five consecutive Fidelity Fund Certificates.
For NQF 5 RPL, you must be registered as a Principal Estate Agent, and have yet to complete the NQF 5 Qualification.
What is The Difference?
The RPL version of both the NQF Qualifications is a more condensed version of the course, which is done as a self-study as opposed to a full course. This version of the course is geared towards Agents with previous industry experience, and as such is more evidence and knowledge-based than the full courses, which are theory based, and geared towards new Agents either entering the industry, or upgrading their education for the first time. The benefits of RPL are that it costs less than the full course, because the element of facilitation is removed, and also that the Agent may work within their own time and space.
What do I Receive?
As stated above, the only difference between the RPL and the full NQF Qualification course is that it is done as a self-study. A candidate applying to complete the RPL version of either the NQF 4 or 5 Qualification will receive 12 months in which to do so. All learning material will be supplied digitally, and upon completion of the course, the Agent receives certification from Services SETA, the same as they would with the full course. If you would like to find out if you qualify, or you would like to register to complete the course, use the buttons below to view and sign up for the course relevant to you.