PSIRA Registration 2026: Steps, R310 Fee and Pre-Registration

Quick answer: To register with PSiRA as a new security officer in 2026, you must first create a pre-registration profile on the ePSiRA system (mandatory since 5 January 2026), then complete Grade E training at a PSiRA-accredited training provider, pay the R310 registration fee online, have your fingerprints taken at a police station and hand them in at a PSiRA branch with a certified ID copy. Once your criminal record check and course report are approved, your registration is confirmed and you can collect your compulsory PSiRA ID card.

This guide walks through each step in order, lists the 2026/27 fees published by PSiRA, explains what the new pre-registration rule means for you, and covers the most common reasons applications get delayed.

Key takeaways

You may not work as a security officer for reward without PSiRA registration under the Private Security Industry Regulation Act 56 of 2001.
Since 5 January 2026, new entrants must pre-register on ePSiRA before training starts. Training providers can no longer upload a course report for a new entrant who has not pre-registered.
The individual registration fee is R310 for 2026/27 (up from R290) and is non-refundable.
Grade E is the minimum training grade needed to complete registration.
The digital certificate is free; a printed (ink) certificate costs R75 and is optional, but the PSiRA ID card is mandatory.

Who can register with PSiRA?

According to PSiRA's Registration Division, an individual applicant must:

be 18 years or older;
be a permanent resident of South Africa (South African citizens qualify);
not have committed any of the scheduled criminal offences listed in the Act;
have completed training at a PSiRA-accredited training centre;
not be a current member of any official military, police or intelligence force in South Africa or elsewhere (former members need a clearance certificate);
pay the applicable registration fee.

Matric is not listed as a registration requirement, which is one reason security work is a common entry point for people looking for jobs with matric or no experience in South Africa. Individual employers may still set their own minimum education levels.

What changed in 2026: mandatory pre-registration

PSiRA Industry Circular 002, dated 18 December 2025, introduced a mandatory pre-registration step for all new prospective security officers, effective 5 January 2026. In practice this means:

You must complete pre-registration on the ePSiRA system before you begin any security officer training programme.
Your training provider cannot upload your course report unless your pre-registration has been successfully submitted.
Your registration is only completed after the course report is approved; after that, you finalise your full registration on the system.
PSiRA warns that ignoring the rule may result in course reports not being processed, which would delay your registration.

What to do: before paying any training provider, ask them to confirm that you have been pre-registered on ePSiRA, or do it yourself on the PSiRA digital services portal.

How to register with PSiRA: step by step

Check you meet the requirements listed above. If you have a criminal record or a pending case, contact PSiRA before you spend money on training.
Pre-register on ePSiRA. Go to the PSiRA digital services portal, choose Security Officer, then Register now, confirm you meet the requirements and enter your details. If you do not have an email address, the portal lets you create one. You will receive an OTP and login details, then answer four security questions.
Choose an accredited training provider. Check the provider on PSiRA's accredited training provider search before you enrol. Training fees are set by the provider, not PSiRA, so compare a few.
Complete Grade E training. Grade E is the minimum grade PSiRA needs to approve registration. The provider must submit your course report within 14 days; late reports are rejected and learners may have to be retrained.
Pay the R310 registration fee online through your profile with a bank card.
Do your fingerprints. Visit your nearest police station to complete your fingerprints on a SAP 91 form. Use black ink, keep fingers apart and inside the boxes, and make sure the form is signed and stamped by SAPS.
Book a branch visit on your ePSiRA profile (Booking > New booking), then take your fingerprint form and a certified copy of your ID to the PSiRA branch. First-time fingerprints must be handed in at a branch; courier is only allowed for retakes.
Track your application. Your profile shows a registration status and a criminal record check (CRC) status. When both are approved you can preview your certificate online.
Collect your ID card. Book a branch visit for card collection. Third-party collection is not allowed.

PSiRA fees for individuals (2026/27)

PSiRA's administration fee schedule took effect on 1 April 2026. The main individual fees are:

Registration fee: R310 (was R290)
Certificate renewal (online): R75 (was R70)
Ink (printed) certificate: R75, on top of the online fee
ID card renewal: R130
ID card re-issue: R160
ID card upgrade: R150
Individual name change: R265
Individual appeal: R210

Registered security officers also pay a statutory annual fee. If your employer has linked you to its business on ePSiRA and deducts the fee from your salary, you do not pay it separately; check that the deduction appears on your payslip.

Understanding your application status

Training Pending: PSiRA has not received a Grade E course report or recognition of prior learning (RPL) for you.
New Application (CRC): your fingerprints were recently submitted and are waiting to be batched.
Retake: your fingerprints were not clear enough. Redo them and resubmit.
Case awaiting trial: you have 90 days to upload stamped case results from SAPS, the Department of Justice or the docket.
Rejected by committee: you have 60 days to appeal; after that you must re-apply.
Active / Inactive: Active means you are linked to a security business; Inactive means you are registered but not currently linked to an employer.

After you register: certificates and renewal

Your digital certificate is free and can be previewed (not printed) on your profile; its QR code can be used for verification. Printed ink certificates are valid for 24 months, and you can renew from 90 days before the expiry date via Service request on your profile. Since April 2026, PSiRA also issues a Competency Certificate for each grade or special course you complete, which serves as official proof of your training.

To earn more, plan to upgrade beyond Grade E. Grades C, D and E share the same sector minimum wage, so the first pay jump comes at Grade B. See our security guard salary guide by PSIRA grade for the current minimums.

Avoid these common mistakes

Paying for training at a provider that is not on PSiRA's accredited list.
Starting training before pre-registering on ePSiRA.
Submitting fingerprints that are smudged, too light, unsigned or without a SAPS stamp.
Relying on a "certificate" sold through social media or an agent. Always verify registration through PSiRA's individual verification service, which searches by ID or PSiRA number.

Frequently asked questions

How much does PSiRA registration cost in 2026?

The individual registration fee is R310 for the 2026/27 financial year. Training is paid separately to the accredited provider, and an optional printed certificate costs R75.

Do I need matric to register with PSiRA?

No. PSiRA's listed requirements are age, residency, no scheduled criminal offences, accredited training and payment of the fee. Some employers may still ask for matric.

What is PSiRA pre-registration?

Since 5 January 2026, all new prospective security officers must create a pre-registration profile on ePSiRA before training begins. Without it, your training provider cannot upload your course report.

Where do I do fingerprints for PSiRA?

At your nearest police station on a SAP 91 form. You then book a branch visit online and hand the form in at a PSiRA branch with a certified copy of your ID.

Can I work as a security guard while my PSiRA registration is pending?

No. Working as a security service provider for reward without registration is an offence under the Act, so wait until your registration is approved.

Find security jobs

Once you are registered, browse security guard jobs in South Africa or all jobs in South Africa on Jobsiz. Seasonal demand also rises in shopping centres and retail during the festive season.

Fees and procedures verified against PSiRA's official website on 24 October 2026. For help, call the PSiRA helpdesk on 086 133 3850 (Monday to Friday, 07:30 to 16:00).