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Qualifications & Professional Certificates

Assessment Structure

Your Digital PoE will be online on our MACCI platform. Final exams can be done online or on paper at a venue.

Your learning is divided into three phases, each with assignments and online tests, followed by a final exam (online or paper-based).

Your Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) counts 30% and your final exam 70%, with a 60% pass mark.

For more information on how this works, click here

Can I Study Business Management Online?

Yes. Students can choose to study through an accredited training provider either online or in person. Self-study options are also available, depending on the provider.

ICB sets and assesses the examinations, ensuring a nationally recognised qualification.

Certificate reprint requests

There are three types of certificates available for re-print:

ICB programme certificates: These are issued within 3-4 weeks of us receiving your payment.

To order your certificate reprints, please send us proof of payment (use your ICB reference number as payment reference) as well as the details of which certificate(s) you’d like reprinted.

COST:  See fees list on website

ICB/IQB subject certificates – These are issued within 3-4 weeks of us receiving your payment.

Subject certificates are digital only. A digital copy of the certificate can be downloaded from the student portal / requested from your training centre. Hard copies will only be issued upon request as per the fees below.

To order your certificate reprints, please send us proof of payment (use your ICB reference number as payment reference) as well as the details of which certificate(s) you’d like printed.

COST:  See fees list on website

FASSET qualification certificates: These can be requested and issued within 6-8 weeks of us receiving your payment.

A re-issue of a Fasset qualification certificate can only be requested for the following reasons and any request must be sent to the ICB with a copy of the learner’s ID and an affidavit requesting a reissue and stating the reasons for reissue;

  1. On the loss of certificate;
  2. On damage on the certificate;
  3. When learner changes or making an additional name/surname;
  4. When there’s an error on the certificate;
  5. When learner changes the Passport number (where a learner is a non-South Africa).

To order your certificate reprints, please send us proof of payment (use your ICB reference number as payment reference) as well as the details of which certificate(s) you’d like reprinted.

COST: See fees list on website

Certificates & Qualifications

What Certificates will you get?

  • Professional Certificate — after each subject
  • ICB / IQB Certificate — upon completing the full qualification (recognised locally & internationally)
  • FASSET NQF Qualification Certificate — for students who enrolled on the NQF pathway before 30 June 2026 (final completion: 30 June 2029)

 

How to check what Qualifications I am registered on?

Qualification registrations are shown on the student portal.  
Once you are on the Home page of your student portal, you will notice a Pie Chart with ICB/IQB indicated on the tab.
IQB programmes will show as follows:
 
Legacy NQF programmes will show as follows:

If you are a training centre:

Qualifications that a student is registered for are found under Reports, Qualifications tab for bulk and individual searches.

You can also search per student and see a students full record of qualifications and completed subjects under Learner Information

How to understand the Business Literacy Results?

Why is the ICB’s Business Literacy split into three levels, and what must I do if my result is ‘not yet competent’ in any of the levels?

The ICB examines NQF Level 3, 4 and 5 in one subject – one Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) and one final exam.

We’ve bundled the three levels into one subject, so that the PoE content and the final exam covers all the levels sufficiently.

The benefit is that you only have to enter and pay for one subject, but get accredited at all three levels. This saves you having to complete three separate subjects.

You will get a result for each level. If you fail one of the levels (you are ‘not yet competent’) and would like to rewrite the subject, you will need to complete all three levels again in order to pass the subject.

Example of exam paper

PREVIOUS VS NEW BSL RESULTS BREAKDOWN

Changes have been made to the mark allocation per BUSL level outcome.

  1. BSL1 (NQF3) result is made up of Section A of the exam paper and is out of 60 marks.
  2. BSL2 (NQF4) result is made up of Section A and Section B of the exam paper and is out of 120 marks.
  3. BSL3 (NQF) result is made up of Section C of the exam paper and is out of 60 marks.

 

The same PoE result is added to all levels for a final result.

NQF vs IQB Pathways

What are the two different certification pathways?

  • Students who register from 1 July 2026 onward will follow the IQB pathway, which is internationally recognised but not aligned to the South African NQF framework.
  • Students who register before 30 June 2026 will remain on the NQF pathway and must complete their qualifications by 30 June 2029 as planned.
  • These dates is subject to change by government legislation and are correct as of 12 March 2025.
  • Click here to download a full list of NQF Qualifications offered by ICB

 

Progression Path

Study Further — with Credit for Your ICB Qualification

You may be eligible for study credit with:

Example: NQF Level 6 ICB qualifications may provide credits at partner institutions. CIMA allows up to 2 credits with an NQF Level 5 Office Administration qualification.

Professional Membership

Post-qualification, you can apply for membership with:

Study Material

  • If enrolled with an Accredited Training Centre — your provider will supply all required study material and support.
  • If choosing self-study — purchase ICB-approved material from: EDGE Education

Study Options

Whether you prefer to study on your own or with structured support, ICB gives you the flexibility to choose the path that fits your life.

Option 1: Self-Study
Study at your own pace, on your own schedule. Register directly with ICB, choose your subjects, and source your own learning materials. Perfect for motivated, independent learners who want flexibility.

Option 2: Study with a Training Centre
Join an accredited ICB training centre (classroom or online) for structured classes, tutor support, and help with exam preparation. A great option if you prefer guided learning.

Click here for more information on study options