SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

National Occupational Certificate: Credit or Loans Officer 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
125122  National Occupational Certificate: Credit or Loans Officer 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - BANKSETA 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
QCTO - Quality Council for Trades and Occupations  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Occupational Cert  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  134  Not Applicable  NQF Level 04  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 0936/25  2025-11-13  2029-11-13 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2030-11-13   2033-11-13  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
101676  Occupational Certificate: Credit or Loans Officer  Not Applicable  NQF Level 04  124  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The National Occupational Certificate: Credit or Loans Officer is necessary to ensure responsible lending practices and enhance consumer interactions to ultimately foster trust and stability in various credit contexts. This qualification equips learners with the necessary skills to promote and sell credit products effectively, assess creditworthiness, and deliver exceptional customer service.

The qualification offers significant benefits, including enhanced knowledge and skills in evaluating and processing credit applications, which is highly valued in sectors like banking, microfinance, and credit facilities. Learners gain practical competence in customer service, helping them effectively interact with consumers, respond to queries, and manage complaints, which is essential for maintaining positive consumer relationships. It opens career opportunities in financial institutions, as demand grows for professionals capable of assessing credit risk and providing tailored financial products. Furthermore, it provides valuable insights into regulatory compliance, ensuring that credit decisions align with legal standards, and cultivates sales and marketing skills, enabling learners to promote and sell credit products effectively, contributing to the growth of financial institutions.

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to function as a Credit or Loans Officer. A Credit or Loans Officer analyses, evaluates, and processes credit and credit applications. They work in various financial environments, such as banks and credit institutions.

Typical learners include people who are already working within the Credit and/or Loans environment and those who wish to enter the field.

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Promote and sell credit products.
  • Process credit applications.
  • Provide customer services.

    Collaboration with relevant stakeholders:
  • Credit / Loan Officers.
  • Finance Lenders / Credit / Loan Institutions Skills Development Providers.
  • Financial Services Regulators.

    A qualified learner will demonstrate the following key attributes:
  • Sense of urgency.
  • Adaptability.
  • Team player.
  • Critical.
  • Practically orientated.
  • Customer-focused.
  • Culturally sensitive.

    Rationale:
    This qualification will benefit the sector by ensuring that credit products are managed by skilled professionals. Through having a thorough understanding of risk assessment and regulatory compliance the Officers will help the financial institutions minimise default rates while maximising consumer satisfaction. This qualification enhances professionalism which promotes responsible lending practices, ultimately strengthening the integrity and resilience of the financial institutions.

    This qualification benefits society by equipping Credit or Loans officers with the skills to assess applications accurately, providing guidance and consumer education. This empowers consumers to make informed decisions about borrowing options thereby enhancing financial literacy and promoting economic mobility within communities.

    A qualified workforce in the Credit and Loans sector contributes to the efficient allocation of financial resources, driving economic growth and innovation. By ensuring that credit is extended to creditworthy applicants, they support business development and job creation, which are essential for economic vitality. Furthermore, their ability to manage consumer relationships and respond to enquiries, fosters consumer confidence in financial systems, ultimately leading to a more stable and dynamic economy. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL for Access to Training:
    Learners may use the RPL process to gain access to training opportunities for a qualification if they do not meet the formal, minimum entry requirements for admission. RPL assessment provides an alternative access route into a programme of learning or qualification.

    RPL assessment may be developed, moderated, and conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider which offers that specific qualification. Such an assessment must ensure that the learner is able to display the equivalent level of competencies required for access, based on the NQF level descriptors.

    RPL for exemption from modules:
    Learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning or qualification through any means of formal, informal or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded.

    RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA):
    Learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning or qualification through any means of formal, informal or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded.

    A valid Statement of Results is required for admission to the EISA in which confirmation of achievement is provided that all internal assessment criteria for all modules in the related curriculum document have been achieved.

    Upon successful completion of the EISA, RPL learners will be issued with the QCTO certificate for the qualification. Quality Partners are responsible for ensuring the RPL mechanism and process for qualifications is approved by the QCTO.

    Entry Requirements:
    An NQF Level 3 qualification. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules:

    Knowledge Modules:
  • 331201-000-00-KM-01, Overview of The Credit Industry, NQF Level 3, 10 Credits.
  • 331201-000-00-KM-02, Prospecting in the Credit Cycle, NQF Level 4, 15 Credits.
  • 331201-000-00-KM-03, Management of Credit Portfolios, NQF Level 4, 5 Credits.
  • 331201-000-00-KM-04, Security at Lending Institutions, NQF Level 4, 3 Credits.
  • 331201-000-00-KM-05, Customer Service and Problem-Solving, NQF Level 4, 5 Credits.
  • 331201-000-00-KM-06, Credit Application Process for an Individual, NQF level 4, 7 Credits.
  • 331201-000-00-KM-07, Credit Application Process for Business Entities, NQF Level 4, 7 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 52

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • 331201-000-00-PM-01, Promote and Sell Credit and Value- Added Products to Consumers, NQF Level 4, 15 Credits.
  • 331201-000-00-PM-02, Provide Services to Consumers and Resolve Queries and Complaints, NQF Level 4, 15 Credits.
  • 331201-000-00-PM-03, Process Credit Applications from Consumers, NQF Level 4, 20 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 50

    Work Experience Modules:
  • 331201-000-00-WM-01, Processes Related to Promoting and Selling Credit Products, NQF Level 4, 5 Credits.
  • 331201-000-00-WM-02, Processes Related to Consumer Queries and Complaints, NQF Level 4. 6 Credits.
  • 331201-000-00-WM-03, Processes Related to Providing Consumer Service, NQF Level 4, 6 Credits.
  • 331201-000-00-WM-04, Processes to Engage with Consumers and Process Loan Applications, NQF Level 4, 15 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 32 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Exit Level Outcomes:
    1. Sell credit products to potential clients.
    2. Process credit application from specific types of consumers.
    3. Finalise credit application process.
    4. Provide customer services. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
    ELO 1: Sell credit products to potential clients.
  • Mark and promotes credit products based on consumer profiles.
  • Sell credit products to consumers based on their profile and needs.
  • Educate consumers on the different credit products, their features, benefits, and how they can meet their specific needs.
  • Identify additional financial products and services for cross-selling to existing consumers.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
    ELO 2: Process credit application from specific types of consumers.
  • Obtain and validate relevant information for credit applications (from individual/s or businesses).
  • Process credit applications using credit application forms and/or electronic systems.
  • Evaluate credit information in credit application against credit granting criteria for specific type of consumer and in line with the relevant legislation.
  • Make and formulate credit decision.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
    ELO 3: Finalise credit application process.
  • Conclude credit application and communicate outcome formulated to consumer or recommended for further action.
  • Educate consumers on financial literacy, such as budgeting, managing credit repayments, and avoiding over-indebtedness.
  • Conclude and clarify credit agreement.
  • Check credit disbursement processes and prepare these to conclude the application process.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
    ELO 4: Provide customer services.
  • Examine consumer queries, requests and complaints for clarification.
  • Analyse consumer queries, requests and complaints, formulate and communicate possible remedies or solutions.
  • Scrutinise and document unresolved consumer queries, requests and complaints for escalation to relevant parties.

    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
    Integrated Formative Assessment:
    Formative assessments are conducted throughout the training of learners. A range of formal, non-formal, and informal ongoing assessment activities are used to focus on teaching and learning outcomes to improve learner attainment.

    Formative assessments are conducted continuously by the facilitator to feed into further learning, to identify strengths and weakness, and to ensure the learner's ability to apply knowledge, skills and workplace experience gained.

    Formative Assessments are conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider (SDP), and a variety of ongoing assessment methods may be used, for example, quizzes, assignments, tests, scenarios, role play, interviews. Continuous feedback must be provided.

    Integrated Summative Assessment:
    Integrated Assessment involves all the different types of assessment tasks required for a particular qualification, such as written assessment of theory and practical demonstration of competence. To achieve this, the Internal Assessment Criteria (IAC) for all modules as found in the QCTO curriculum document must be followed.

    An accredited SDP should implement a well-designed, formal, relevant, final internal Summative Assessment strategy for all modules to prepare learners for the EISA. These assessments evaluate learning achievements relating to the achievement of each module of the relevant components of the qualification.

    Internal Summative Assessments are developed, moderated and conducted by the SDP at the end of each module or after integration of relevant modules, e.g., applied knowledge tests, workplace tasks, practical demonstrations, simulated tasks/demonstrations, projects, case studies, etc.

    The results of these final formal summative assessments must be recorded. These results, which include the Statement of Work Experience results, where applicable, contribute to the Statement of Results (SoR) that is a requirement for admission to the EISA. An SoR, using the template provided by the Quality Partner, is issued by the accredited SDP for qualifications. The SDP must produce a valid Statement of Results for each learner, indicating the final result and the date on which the competence in each module, of each component, was achieved. Learners are required to produce this SoR, together with their ID document or alternative ID document, at the point of the EISA.

    External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA):
    The Quality Partner is responsible for the management, conduct and implementation of the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA), in accordance with QCTO set standards. Competence in the EISA is a requirement for certificating a learner.

    For entrance into the EISA, the learner requires a valid Statement of Results issued by the accredited institution indicating:

    The attainment of all modules for the Knowledge, Practical and Work Experience modules. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification was compared to the following international qualifications:

    Country: United Kingdom (UK)
    Institution: The Chartered Institute of Credit Management.
    Qualification title: Certificate in Credit and Collections and an ensuing Diploma in Credit and Collections.
    Duration: One year, depending on the mode of study.

    Entry requirements:
  • Learners must have a High School qualification.

    This qualification introduces foundational concepts in credit management, focusing on risk assessment, credit applications, and customer service. It aligns with individuals starting in roles like credit controllers or loan officers. Topics include credit risk management, legal frameworks, customer communication, and financial analysis.

    Similarities:
  • The content and focus on entry level competencies related to credit and loan origination is similar to that being offered in the newly developed South African Qualification (SA).
  • The UK qualifications entry requirements are also similar to that of the SA qualification.

    Differences:
    The duration of the qualification may be shorter to the year specification of the National Occupational Certificate: Credit or Loans Officer.

    Country: Australia
    Institution: Kaplan Professional
    Qualification title: Certificate IV in Credit Management
    Duration: 30 Weeks
    AQF LEVEL 4

    Entry requirements:
  • Individuals are expected to have Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital (LLND) skills at ACSF Level 3.

    The Certificate IV in Credit Management qualification is offered to new entrants working for Australian Credit Licensees (ACLs), such as banks and credit unions in roles including responsible managers and credit representatives. Entry requirement for the course is open, with the condition that learners must be able to read, write, communicate and undertake independent research activities. The Level 4 course duration is thirty (30) weeks, excluding the additional seven (7) hours per week unsupervised hours required as part of the vocational programme.

    Learning Outcomes:
  • Accurately and efficiently evaluate and process loan applications.
  • Identify and meet the needs of consumers with lending needs.
  • Develop productive relationships with consumers.
  • Apply knowledge of the financial services industry to their professional practice.
  • Identify future learning opportunities for themselves.

    Similarities:
  • The learning outcomes of the Australian qualification aligns well with the new South African (SA) qualification.
  • Entry requirement is similar to the NQF Level 3 requirement of the SA qualification.
  • Both qualifications are registered at AQF and NQF Level 4.

    Differences:
  • The duration of the Australian qualification might be shorter than the one-year specification of the South African Qualification.

    Conclusion:
    The Occupational Certificate: Credit or Loans Officer compares favourably with the two qualifications regarding entry requirements, outcomes, content, duration and focus. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification provides opportunities for horizontal, vertical and diagonal articulation options.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Horizontal articulation possibilities within the sub-framework will expire in December 2025.
  • National Certificate: Vocational, NQF Level 4.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Higher Occupational Certificate: Business Banking Officer, NQF Level 5.

    Diagonal Articulation:
  • Higher Certificate in Banking, NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    NOTES 
    Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements:
  • None

    Criteria for the accreditation of providers:
    The curriculum title and code are: Credit or Loans Officer: 331201-000-00-00.

    Encompassed Trade:
  • None

    Assessment Quality Partner (AQP)
  • Banking Education and Training Sector.

    RELATED PART-QUALIFICATIONS
  • None. 
    		•

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.