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Requirements

What you need to tutor on UpMark

We check two things before you can teach: who you are, and that you know the subject. A police clearance is separate — we ask every tutor about it and show your answer to parents, but it is not a requirement.

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1 · Who you are

A South African ID

A clear photo, scan or PDF of your ID card, ID book, or passport. We check the name matches the one on your profile.

2 · That you know the subject

Four ways to qualify

There are four ways to qualify, and two of them are approved as soon as we’ve seen the document.

A distinction in the subject — 80% or above

Approved straight away
Your NSC statement showing 80%+ in the subject you want to teach. A distinction qualifies you for that subject across Grade 8 to 12.

One exception: a distinction in a home language also qualifies you to teach the same language at First Additional Language level.

A teaching qualification in the subject

Approved straight away
A B.Ed, PGCE or equivalent, in the subject you want to teach.

A degree in the subject

Reviewed by a person
Your degree certificate or academic transcript. We look at whether what you studied covers what you’d be teaching.

University modules in the field

Reviewed by a person
Your academic transcript showing the modules you completed, plus a short note from you — a few sentences on why those modules relate to the subject you want to tutor.

That note matters. A transcript full of module codes doesn’t tell us much on its own. Tell us what MAM1020F actually covered and why it makes you the right person for Grade 11 Maths, and we can make a decision quickly instead of guessing.

How long it takes

We review applications within two working days. If we need something else from you, we’ll say so rather than leaving you waiting.

What we accept

Clear photographs of your original documents are fine — you don’t need certified copies. If we can’t read something or can’t verify it, we’ll ask for a certified copy then.

You can blank out the subjects you’re not teaching. We only need to see your mark in the subject you’re applying for, plus your name and ID number so we can check the certificate is yours.

Be accurate. We check.

3 · A police clearance

Asked, not required

We ask every tutor where they stand on a SAPS Police Clearance Certificate, and we show your answer to parents: on your profile, in search results, and again before a parent books an in-person lesson.

You can teach without one, including in person. But parents can see whether you have one, and we recommend getting one — particularly if you’re teaching younger learners or travelling to a student’s home.

How to get one

You apply through SAPS. Your fingerprints have to be taken in person, so there is no way to do the whole thing online.

What you need

  • Form SAPS 91(a) — you get this at the police station
  • A certified copy of your ID or passport
  • The application fee, R190 at the time of writing
  • Your fingerprints, taken at the station

Where

Any police station can take your fingerprints. Applications are processed by the SAPS Criminal Record Centre in Pretoria.

How long

It varies a lot — some people have theirs in two or three weeks, others wait several months. Apply early rather than when you need it.

Cost

R190 to SAPS. Private services will do it faster for more; that’s your call and nothing to do with us.

Check saps.gov.za or ask at your nearest station — fees and forms change, and what’s written here is what we knew when we wrote it.

Once you have it

Upload it on your profile. We check it and your status changes to verified, which is what parents see.

What happens after you apply

  1. You create your profile and upload your documents
  2. We check your ID and your subject qualification — within two working days
  3. If you’re approved, you set your rate and your hours and you’re live
  4. Your police clearance status is shown to parents, whatever it is

Questions

Can I teach a subject I got 70% in? +

Not on a matric mark alone. If you studied it at university, that’s the degree or modules route above.

I'm still studying. Can I tutor? +

Yes. A distinction in the subject at matric qualifies you, and so do university modules you’ve already completed.

Do I need a police clearance to start? +

No. But parents can see whether you have one, and it’s shown before anyone books an in-person lesson with you.

What if my clearance takes months? +

That’s normal. You can teach the whole time. Update your profile when it arrives.

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