Candidates must have a minimum NQF Level 7 qualification in any one of the following fields to be able to enroll for the Tax Professional Occupational Certificate on NQF level 8:

• Taxation,
• Accounting, or
• Law.

Alternatively, candidates may have a NQF Level 6 occupational qualification dedicated exclusively to the field of taxation such as the Tax Technician Occupational Certificate.

One key component of the overall programme relates to on-the-job training and workplace experience. Workplace experience is required separately for both the Tax Professional qualification and the Tax Adviser designation. SAIT has developed a logbook (assessment tool) that will be used to monitor and assess the work experience of candidates monthly. The qualification cannot be completed without employment in the tax field whereby a candidate predominantly performs tax functions.