Where to write the RE5 exam
RE5 is not written at RegulatoryExams, and not at a bank or your employer's office — it is written at a testing centre run by an FSCA-accredited examination body. Here is how booking actually works and what to expect on the day.
Who administers the exam
The FSCA does not run exam sittings itself — it accredits independent examination bodies to write and administer the Regulatory Examinations, including RE5, on its behalf. Your employer's compliance officer or HR team will usually already know which accredited body your firm books through, since most FSPs handle this in bulk for their representatives.
If you are booking independently, the FSCA's own website lists the currently accredited examination bodies. Fees, available dates and venue details change from time to time, so always confirm directly with the examination body or the FSCA rather than relying on a fixed number you see somewhere online — including this page.
Where sittings are held
Accredited examination bodies typically run testing centres in South Africa's major centres — commonly including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Bloemfontein— with coverage varying by provider and demand. Some bodies also offer remote/online invigilated sittings. Availability by city changes, so check the specific examination body's current centre list when you book rather than assuming a venue near you is running on a given date.
What to bring on the day
- Valid, original, government-issued photo ID (South African ID, passport or driver's licence — check the specific requirement when you book)
- Your booking confirmation / proof of payment
- Arrive early — most centres will not admit candidates who arrive after the exam has started
The exam is closed-book: no notes, textbooks or reference material are permitted in the testing room. Cellphones and smart devices are typically not allowed at your desk either. Confirm the exact rules with your examination body, since procedures can differ slightly between providers.
Booking, fees and dates
We deliberately do not publish specific fees or exam dates here — they are set and updated by the examination bodies and the FSCA, and a stale number is worse than no number. Confirm current pricing and availability directly with your chosen examination body, or with the FSCA, before you book.
Book with confidence
Booking a date is only useful once you know you are ready for it. Take a free timed mock exam first, or check your readiness in two minutes.