The Professional Board for Environmental Health Practitioners (PBEHP), under the ambit of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), is concerned about the mushrooming of bogus persons masquerading as qualified and registered Environmental Health Practitioners. This is in contravention of the Health Professions Act No 56 of 1974 in terms of which:
- Subject to the provisions of sections 33(2)(c) and 39, no person shall practise within the Republic any health profession the scope of which has been defined by the Minister in terms of section 33 (1), unless he or she is registered in terms of this Act in respect of such profession.
- Any person who contravenes the provisions of subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction liable to the penalties mentioned in section 39.
This conduct is not only illegal but also places the health and safety of members of the public at serious risk.
In keeping up with its primary mandate of protecting the public and guiding the healthcare professions, Council, through the Inspectorate Office, is making great strides by effecting regular arrests of unregistered and illegal practitioners.
Environmental Health Practitioners are dedicated to safeguarding public health by monitoring and providing solutions, and overseeing safety elements, environmental suitability, waste management, water services, pest control, food and transport safety and pollution control, amongst others. Any individual who threatens the health and safety of the public by practising illegally will be prosecuted.
The HPCSA is mandated by the Health Professions Act, 56 of 1974 to protect the public and guide the professions to ensure safe, ethical, and high-quality care. Members of the community are encouraged to report suspected illegal practices to InspectorateOffice@hpcsa.co.za.
Registered practitioners can identify themselves by means of a practising card which bears their professional registration number (HI number).The public can also verify a practitioner’s status by using the ‘Search the Register’ tool on the HPCSA website at www.hpcsa.co.za or by calling the HPCSA Call Centre on 012 338 9300/1.
Complaints of unprofessional conduct against practitioners who are registered or who are suspended on the register of Council may be lodged via Online Services by clicking on the ‘Complaint Against Practitioner’ link.
Complainants are required to register a profile before a complaint can be lodged. Complaints are advised to provide full details of the registered or suspended practitioner and ensure that comprehensive details of the complaint, including all relevant dates and facts as well as any supporting documents.
Last Updated on 6 February 2026 by HPCSA Corporate Affairs