What Are NCR Circulars?
NCR circulars are formal regulatory communications issued by the National Credit Regulator. They typically address:
- compliance expectations for registered participants
- operational guidance on regulated processes
- clarification of regulatory positions
- implementation of legislative or regulatory changes
Circulars are binding to the extent that they reflect lawful regulatory requirements and are applied within the scope of the National Credit Act.
Who NCR Circulars Apply To
Depending on their content, NCR circulars may apply to one or more of the following registered participants:
- Debt counsellors
- Credit providers
- Credit bureaux
- Payment Distribution Agents (PDAs)
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) agents
Consumers are not regulated by NCR circulars directly, but circulars may affect how regulated participants interact with consumers.
Latest NCR Circulars (Overview)
Below is an overview of recent NCR circulars that are relevant to debt counselling, debt review, credit reporting, and related compliance obligations.
Note: For accuracy and legal certainty, readers are encouraged to consult the official circulars published by the National Credit Regulator.
View Official NCR CircularsNCR Circular 003 of 2026
DHS Staggered Update Schedule
Debt counsellors, credit providers, and credit bureaux.
- phased DHS restoration timeline following extended downtime
- batch processing windows and submission sequencing
- compliance obligations during the transition period
Outlines the structured return of DHS functionality and sets expectations for when debt counsellors can resume normal submissions.
NCR Circular 01 of 2026
Debt Help System (DHS) Downtime Notice
Debt counsellors, credit providers, credit bureaux, and PDAs.
- scheduled DHS downtime for system maintenance and upgrades
- impact on Form 17.1 submissions and status updates
- interim compliance expectations during the outage period
Notified all participants of planned DHS unavailability and provided guidance on how to manage submissions during the downtime window.
NCR Circular 11 of 2025
Clearance Certificate Webinars
Debt counsellors and credit providers involved in the clearance certificate process.
- scheduled webinar sessions on clearance certificate procedures
- regulatory expectations for issuing and processing clearance certificates
- common compliance errors and best practices
Provided training opportunities for debt counsellors to improve clearance certificate compliance and reduce processing delays.
NCR Circular 07 of 2025
Misrepresentation of Debt Review Status
Debt counsellors, credit providers, and credit bureaux.
- practices involving false or misleading debt review status representations
- regulatory consequences for participants who misrepresent consumer statuses
- obligations to ensure accurate credit bureau reporting
Warns against fraudulent debt review removal schemes and reinforces that status changes must be lawfully substantiated through the National Credit Act.
NCR Circular 09 of 2025
Debt Help System (DHS) status updates and reporting obligations
Debt counsellors, credit bureaux, and other registered participants submitting or relying on DHS data.
- reporting and updating of debt review statuses
- administrative responsibilities relating to the Debt Help System
- alignment between DHS records and credit bureau data
This circular reinforces the importance of accurate, timely status updates and clarifies that administrative systems reflect lawful outcomes rather than create them.
NCR Circular 02 of 2025
Compliance expectations relating to debt review removal and related services
Debt counsellors and entities offering debt review-related services.
- lawful scope of debt review removal services
- compliance with the National Credit Act when advertising or offering such services
- avoidance of misleading representations to consumers
This circular emphasises that debt review removal must occur through lawful mechanisms provided for in the National Credit Act and may not be misrepresented as an administrative or discretionary process.
NCR Circular 01 of 2025
Operational and compliance guidance for debt counselling practices
Registered debt counsellors.
- professional conduct and compliance obligations
- administrative and procedural expectations
- consumer communication and record-keeping
The circular reinforces minimum compliance standards and clarifies regulatory expectations for ongoing debt counselling operations.
How NCR Circulars Should Be Read
NCR circulars should always be read:
- together with the National Credit Act 34 of 2005
- together with applicable Regulations
- in light of court decisions, where relevant
Circulars do not create new law. They explain how the NCR expects regulated participants to comply with existing legal requirements.
Why NCR Circulars Matter
Understanding NCR circulars helps:
- registered participants maintain regulatory compliance
- consumers identify lawful versus misleading practices
- reduce disputes arising from incorrect expectations
- promote consistent application of the National Credit Act
Misunderstanding or ignoring circulars can result in non-compliance and regulatory enforcement action.
Accessing Official NCR Circulars
The National Credit Regulator publishes its official circulars and notices through its own communication channels. Readers are encouraged to consult the original publications for full and authoritative details.
Relationship Between Circulars, Debt Review, and Debt Review Removal
In the context of debt review and debt review removal:
- NCR circulars clarify compliance and reporting obligations
- they do not authorise or approve individual debt review outcomes
- they do not replace court processes or statutory requirements
Debt review removal remains subject to the lawful mechanisms provided for in the National Credit Act.
Sources and Further Reading
- National Credit Act 34 of 2005
Official legislation on gov.za
- National Credit Regulator
Official NCR publications and circulars
- National Credit Regulator (NCR) - Role & Powers
Parent pillar page on NDRC
- NCR Guidelines & Regulatory Hierarchy
How Acts, Regulations, and Guidelines relate