Can I Be A Police Without Matric?

Not in most South African law enforcement services. SAPS requires Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification, and other uniformed services generally advertise matric as a minimum too. Private security is the main uniformed field that does not require matric.

Law enforcement careers compared

Career	Usual minimum education	Notes
SAPS police trainee	Grade 12 or equivalent	Aged 18 to 35; 21-month basic training programme
Metro police officer	Matric in most municipal adverts	Set by each metro; usually a driver’s licence too
Traffic officer	Matric in most adverts	Training at a traffic college; driver’s licence needed
Correctional services officer	Check the Department of Correctional Services advert	Recruited through learnerships
Private security officer	No matric required	Training with a PSIRA-accredited provider and PSIRA registration

Requirements are set in each recruitment advert and can change. Always read the official advert rather than a summary website.

A plan if you have no matric

1. Finish matric or an equivalent: rewrite subjects, or complete NC(V) Level 4 at a TVET college.
2. Keep a clean criminal record and stay fit.
3. Get a driver’s licence, which is an advantage for SAPS and required for many metro and traffic posts.
4. Watch official recruitment adverts for SAPS and your municipality.

A related TVET programme

NC(V) Safety in Society covers community safety, government and the justice system. Read what Safety in Society is.

For SAPS requirements in detail, see becoming a police officer without matric.

Frequently asked questions