natural scientific professions act of 2003 the new natural scientific professions act – why should...

Natural Scientific Professions ACT of 2003

The new NATURAL SCIENTIFIC PROFESSIONS

ACT – Why should you register?


THE SOUTH AFRICAN COUNCIL FOR NATURAL

SCIENTIFIC PROFESSIONS


SUMMARY• The New Act• Changes to old Act• Composition of Council• Categories of Registration• Fields of Practice• Identification of work• Professional conduct• Programme accreditation• Why register ??• Your Society ?


PROFESSION

• According to Webster:

• A profession is “a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive training”

• Professionalism is “the conduct. aims, or qualities that caracterize or mark a profession or a professional person”


NATURAL SCIENTIFIC PROFESSIONS ACT OF 2003

• The new Act (Act 27 of 2003) was approved on 26 August 2003 to replace the Natural Scientific Professions Act of 1993

• The 1993 Act needed to be reviewed to address a number of limitations

• The Act had to be brought in line with changes in the Higher Education


CHANGES TO THE 1993 ACT

• Composition and election of Council

• Officials of Council

• Involvement in Higher Education

• Categories of Registration

• Voluntary Associations

• Compulsory vs voluntary registration

• “Continuous Professional Development” (CPD)


NEW COUNCIL

IN TOTAL a minimum of 20 and maximum of 30 members

• Minimum of 12 and maximumof 18 persons nominated by voluntary associations

• Minimum 4 and maximum 6 persons nominated by the State

• Minimum of 4 and maximum 6 members of the public


CATEGORIES OF REGISTRATION

• “Professional Natural Scientist”

• “Candidate Natural Scientist”

• “Certificated Natural Scientist”

(Note: “Professional Natural Science Technologist” falls away)


AUTHORISED TITLES

• Certificated Natural Scientists • Cert.Nat.Sci.

• Candidate Natural Scientists • Cand.Nat.Sci.

• Professional Natural Scientist • Pr.Sci.Nat.


WHO IS ENTITLED TO WHAT?

• Only registered persons may use the titles and affix the prescribed abbreviations after their names

• “Certificated Natural Scientists” and “Candidate Natural Scientists” may only perform work in the Natural Scientific Professions under the supervision and control of a “Professional Natural Scientist”


REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION

Cert.Nat.Sci.• 3 YEAR DEGREE OR DIPLOMA plus one year

experienceCand.Nat.Sci.• 4 YEAR DEGREE OR DIPLOMA with no

experiencePr.Sci.Nat.• 4 YEAR DEGREE OR DIPLOMA plus three

years experience


FIELDS OF PRACTICE - 11. Agricultural Science2. Animal Science3. Biological Science4. Botanical Science5. Chemical Science6. Earth Science7. Ecological Science8. Environmental Science9. Food Science


FIELDS OF PRACTICE - 210. Forensic Science11. Forestry Science12. Geographical Science13. Geological Science14. Hydrological Science15. Industrial Science16. Marine Science17. Material Science18. Mathematical Science


FIELDS OF PRACTICE - 319. Mathematical Educ Science

20. Metallurgical Science

21. Microbiological Science

22. Natural Science Educ Science

23. Physical Science

24. Radiation Science

25. Water Care Science

26. Zoological Scince


VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS

• Council must determine the requirements for recognition

• Voluntary Associations may apply to Council for recognition

• Council to issue a certificate of recognition ( must be dispayed)


VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS(Transitional provisions)

• For the purpose of nominations of the first council, the organisations mentioned in section 3 of Act No 106 of 1993 are deemed to be recognised as voluntary asociations

The 1993 Act include organisations such as • The South African Chemical Institute• The Liaison Committee of Scientific

Societies concerned with Agriculture


COUNCIL MUST CONSULT WITH VOLUNTARY

ASSOCIATIONS :

• To identify the type of natural scientific work which may be performed by registered persons

• To determine guideline professional fees

• To draw up a code of conduct for registered persons


COUNCIL SHOULD CONSULT WITH VOLUNTARY

ASSOCIATIONS :• To determine registration requirements

• To assist with the assessment of qualifications for registration purposes

• To assist during accreditation visits in collaboration with the HEQC

• To determine requirements for Personal Professional Development


IDENTIFICATION OF WORK

• The council must identify the type of natural scientific work which may be performed by registered persons

(must consult with all voluntary associations)

• Recognize other Acts (e.g. ECSA)


A PERSON WHO IS NOT REGISTERED IN TERMS OF THIS ACT, MAY NOT -

• Perform any kind of work identified for registered persons

• Pretend to be a person registered in terms of this act

• Use the name of any registered person or any name or title referred to in this act


OFFENCES AND PENALTIES

• A person convicted of an offence in terms of section 27(3) on identified work is liable to a maximum fine equal to double the renumeration received by him or her for work done in contravention thereof, or to a maximum of three years income


RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION

• Council may determine conditions for renewal of registration (Section 23)

• Possible introduction of PPD (Personal Professional Development)

• Voluntary Associations to assist Council to determine conditions for each group


INVOLVEMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION

• May perform functions within the framework of the SAQA Act and the Higher Education Act as may be required

• Must consult with HEQC with regard to the above

• May give advise to HE-institutions with regard to training of natural scientist


WHY REGISTER ???

• No work identified under the Act may be done by persons who are not regsitered (Section 27)

• The name or title of “Natural Scientist” reserved for persons registered in terms of this Act (Section 27)

• “Only persons registered may practice in a consultancy capacity” (Section 20)


WHY REGISTER ???

• Use official title as Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat.)

• Enjoy “Professional” status and participate in benefits offered by financial institutions

• Enjoy the backing of the Council – unbiased guarantee of your competency

• Protect the profession• Strengthen the profession


Enjoy the lowest annual fees

Engineers (Pr. Ing.) R3000

Medical Practicioners R 1090

Dentists R 1091

Veterinarian R 1190

Natural Scientists (Pr.Sci.Nat) R665


WHAT CAN YOUR SOCIETY DO ?

• Get involved in the interest of the YOUR profession

• To assist Council with the requirements for registration of Scientists

• To assist Council with the assessment of University programmes

• To assist Council with disciplinary cases• To assist Council to identify work to be

performed by Scientists


THANK YOU

natural scientific professions act of 2003 the new natural scientific professions act – why should...

Documents

new act act

year degree

year experiencecand

summarythe new actchanges

new councilin total

registered persons

voluntary associationsminimum

south african council