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How to find or check an HPCSA registration number
An HPCSA registration number is the quickest way to confirm that a health practitioner is who they say they are. Clients use it to check a therapist, and practitioners use it to check a colleague before referring.
This guide explains how to look one up, what the result tells you, and where your own number should appear.
3 October 2026 · 4 min read
What an HPCSA registration number is
Every practitioner on the HPCSA register has a unique registration number. It begins with letters that identify the profession and category, followed by digits. In psychology, psychologists, registered counsellors and psychometrists each have their own prefix.
The number stays with the practitioner for their career. It is different from a BHF practice number, which identifies a practice to medical schemes. Our guide to the BHF practice number explains that one.
How to check HPCSA registration
The HPCSA keeps a public register, called iRegister, on its website. Anyone can search it without logging in.
- 1Go to the HPCSA website, hpcsa.co.za, and open iRegister.
- 2Search by registration number if you have it. This gives one exact result.
- 3If you don’t, search by surname and first name, and narrow it by profession.
- 4Open the practitioner’s entry to see the details.
A registration number search is more reliable than a name search. Common surnames return many results, and people sometimes practise under a name that differs from the one they registered with.
What an HPCSA registration check tells you
| Field | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Name | Does it match the person you are dealing with? |
| Registration category | Psychologist (and in which category), registered counsellor or psychometrist |
| Type of registration | Independent practice, or a supervised category such as intern or student |
| Status | Whether the registration is currently active |
The category matters as much as the status. A practitioner should be offering services that fall within their registered category. Our reference guide to the HPCSA scope of practice by category explains the differences.
Are psychologists registered with the HPCSA?
Yes. In South Africa, anyone practising as a psychologist, registered counsellor or psychometrist must be registered with the HPCSA under the Health Professions Act. The titles are protected: a person who isn’t registered may not use them.
Not everyone who offers support is covered by this. Some counsellors, coaches and other practitioners are registered with different bodies or with none. If someone describes themselves as a psychologist or a registered counsellor, though, they should appear on the HPCSA register.
If you can’t find someone
- Try a different spelling, or a maiden or married name.
- Search with fewer details. A surname alone returns more results.
- Ask the practitioner for their registration number. A registered practitioner will give it readily.
- If they still don’t appear, contact the HPCSA to confirm.
A missing entry is not proof of wrongdoing. Names are misspelled and records lag. It is a reason to ask, and a registered practitioner will have an answer.
For practitioners: where your number should appear
Make the check easy for your clients. Your HPCSA registration number should be visible wherever someone is deciding whether to trust you:
- On your website, with your registration category
- On every invoice and statement, next to your practice number
- On your consent form
- In your email signature and on referral letters
- On your profile in any directory or referral network
It is also worth searching for yourself once a year. Check that your category and status are shown correctly, especially after you have paid your annual fee or changed your details. Keeping your registration current is covered in our guide to HPCSA registration, renewal and fees, and Wholistic’s compliance tracker keeps the renewal dates in view.
Common questions
Is it free to check an HPCSA registration number?
Yes. The HPCSA’s public register on its website can be searched by anyone at no cost.
What if I have forgotten my own registration number?
Search for your own name on the public register, or look at your registration certificate or a previous HPCSA invoice. It is also shown on your profile in the self-service portal.
Does an active status mean the practitioner is CPD compliant?
Not necessarily. The public register shows registration. CPD compliance is tracked separately in the practitioner’s own portal profile.
Sources
In Wholistic
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