Regulatory Exam Blog
Study strategies, legislation breakdowns and exam-day advice to help you pass first time.
The Key Individual's Role: What You Are Actually Responsible For
A key individual manages or oversees an FSP's financial services. This guide sets out the duties, the approval rules and the limits that the RE1 tests.
RE1 Exam Format: The Question Types and How to Handle Each
The RE1 has 80 questions in 150 minutes. Learn the question styles you will meet, from scenarios to roman-numeral statements, and a method for each.
Advice vs Intermediary Service: The RE5 Distinction That Trips Candidates
The FAIS Act splits financial services into advice and intermediary services. Learn the difference, the exclusions and how the RE5 tests it, with worked examples.
What Is the RE1 Exam? A Plain Guide for Key Individuals
Who must write the RE1 regulatory exam, what it covers, how it is structured and how it differs from the RE5. A plain guide for key individuals and people about to become one.
Your First 90 Days as a Newly Authorised Representative
A practical roadmap for your first 90 days as a newly authorised financial services representative in South Africa. Covers supervision, the advice process, record-keeping, CPD, and building compliant habits that protect your career from day one.
The Compliance Officer's Role in an FSP, Explained
What a compliance officer actually does at a South African FSP: monitoring and reporting duties, the FSCA relationship, and why RE5 tests this role.
Retirement Funds and Annuities: RE5 Guide
A clear guide to retirement funding products for RE5 candidates and financial advisors. Covers pension and provident funds, retirement annuities, preservation funds, the two-pot system, and living versus guaranteed annuities in the South African context.
How to Answer Scenario-Based RE5 Questions
A technique for RE5 scenario questions, where most candidates lose marks: how to spot keywords, eliminate distractors, and pick the best answer.
Failed the RE5? How to Pass Your Resit
Failed the RE5 exam? Learn how to read your result, diagnose what went wrong, rebuild your study plan, and go into your resit with confidence.
POPIA for Financial Advisors: Client Data Rules
How the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) applies to South African financial advisors. Covers the conditions for lawful processing, client consent, data security, the Information Regulator, and how data protection intersects with FAIS and FICA.
The COFI Bill Explained: Conduct Regulation Changes
An accessible guide to the Conduct of Financial Institutions (COFI) Bill and how it will reshape conduct regulation in South Africa. Covers Twin Peaks, activity-based licensing, the shift from FAIS, and what it means for financial advisors and RE5 candidates.
The Financial Needs Analysis: Getting It Right
A step-by-step guide to the financial needs analysis under the FAIS General Code of Conduct. Learn how to gather client information, identify needs, and establish suitability — the foundation of compliant advice and a core RE5 exam topic.
Disclosure Requirements Under the General Code
FAIS General Code disclosure requirements explained: provider, product and fee disclosures, timing rules, and how disclosure is tested in the RE5.
Record-Keeping Rules for Financial Advisors (RE5)
What South African financial advisors must keep under FAIS and FICA: which records, how long to retain them, formats, and why RE5 tests this heavily.
Debarment Under the FAIS Act: Grounds & Process
A clear guide to debarment under the FAIS Act for South African financial advisors. Covers the grounds for debarment, the fair process an FSP must follow, the FSCA debarment register, reappointment, and how representatives can protect their careers.
10 Compliance Pitfalls for New FSPs in Year One
The 10 most common compliance mistakes new South African FSPs make in their first year, from record-keeping and supervision to FSCA reporting.
RE3, RE4, RE5 and RE6 Compared
A clear comparison of the RE1, RE3, RE4, RE5 and RE6 regulatory exams in South Africa — who needs which, what each covers, and how to plan a multi-exam career path.
CPD After RE5: Hours, Rules & Deadlines Explained
What CPD you need after passing the RE5 in South Africa: hour requirements, qualifying activities, record-keeping, and how to plan your CPD year.
RE5 Pass Rates in 2026: What the Numbers Really Tell You
An honest look at RE5 pass rates in South Africa in 2026 — first-attempt vs repeat candidate stats, what causes failures, and how to use the numbers to plan your own preparation.
How to Pass the RE5 Exam in 30 Days: Study Plan
A 30-day RE5 study plan with weekly breakdowns covering the FAIS Act, ethics, TCF and practice exams, plus daily study hours and exam-day prep tips.
FAIS Ombud Complaints Process: Steps & Timelines
How the FAIS Ombud complaints process works in South Africa: who can complain, jurisdiction, timelines, and what happens at each stage of a case.
Treating Customers Fairly (TCF), Explained
A complete guide to the Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) framework in South Africa. Learn the six TCF outcomes, FSCA expectations, practical implementation tips, and how TCF principles apply to your regulatory exam preparation.
RE5 vs RE1 Exam: What's the Difference?
A comprehensive comparison of the RE5 and RE1 regulatory exams in South Africa. Understand the purpose, content, difficulty, and career implications of each exam to determine which one you need.
Regulatory Compliance Updates for Financial Advisors in 2026
Stay ahead of the latest regulatory changes affecting financial advisors in South Africa. This comprehensive update covers COFI Act implementation, FSCA focus areas for 2026, enhanced disclosure requirements, cybersecurity obligations, and updated CPD requirements.
Starting a Financial Planning Career in South Africa
A comprehensive guide to building a financial planning career in South Africa. Learn about qualification requirements including the RE5 and RE1 exams, licensing processes, earning potential, career progression from representative to CFP professional, and the skills you need to succeed.
RE5 Exam Format and Structure: What to Expect on Test Day
Everything you need to know about the RE5 exam format, including the structure of 50 multiple-choice questions in one hour, the 65% pass mark, booking process, what to bring, time management strategies, and common pitfalls to avoid on exam day.
Understanding the FSCA: Role, Functions, and Powers
A detailed guide to the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa, covering its history, mandate, Twin Peaks model, licensing powers, enforcement actions, consumer protection role, and relationship with the Prudential Authority.
Short-Term vs Long-Term Insurance: Key Differences for RE5
Understand the critical differences between short-term and long-term insurance in South Africa, including definitions under the Insurance Act, product types, regulatory frameworks, and key RE5 exam topics with a detailed comparison table.
Types of Financial Products in South Africa
Explore the full range of financial products regulated under FAIS in South Africa, including long-term insurance, short-term insurance, retirement funds, collective investment schemes, securities, and medical schemes. Essential reading for RE5 exam candidates.
The General Code of Conduct, Explained
A comprehensive guide to the General Code of Conduct under FAIS, covering key requirements like honesty, disclosure, record keeping, conflict management, and complaints handling for financial services providers in South Africa.
Fit and Proper Requirements: Meeting FSCA Standards
A comprehensive guide to the fit and proper requirements set by the FSCA under Board Notice 194 of 2017. Learn about honesty and integrity, competence, operational ability, financial soundness, and continuous professional development requirements for financial services professionals in South Africa.
FICA KYC Requirements for Financial Advisors in South Africa
A practical guide to FICA KYC requirements for South African financial advisors: customer identification, verification, enhanced due diligence and PEPs.
FICA Compliance in South Africa: What to Know
A practical guide to FICA compliance for financial services professionals in South Africa. Learn about customer due diligence, suspicious transaction reporting, record-keeping obligations, the risk-based approach, and penalties for non-compliance under the Financial Intelligence Centre Act.
Understanding the FAIS Act: What to Know
A comprehensive overview of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act 37 of 2002. Learn about licensing requirements, the General Code of Conduct, fit and proper standards, and how the FAIS Act shapes daily practice for financial advisors in South Africa.
The Complete RE5 Exam Preparation Guide for 2026
Everything you need to know to pass the RE5 exam in 2026. This comprehensive guide covers exam structure, study strategies, preparation tips, and what to expect on exam day for aspiring financial services representatives in South Africa.