Admission to the profession
21 Jun 2011
If your profession is on the list of regulated professions, you require permission from the responsible body, which is referred to as the competent authority. Contact the competent authority for further information about the admission procedure.
Please note that if you wish to base yourself in the Netherlands only temporarily, i.e. not permanently, you are not required to apply for the recognition of your professional qualifications. You must, however, report in writing to the competent authority in advance of the temporary provision of services. For this reason, always contact the competent authority first.
Decision of the competent authority
The competent authority will make a decision no later than four months after submission of the application and the complete file. The possible outcomes are as follows:
- Immediate admission
Your diploma is accepted for the regulated profession in the Netherlands and is similar to the diploma required in the Netherlands. - Admission following the fulfilment of additional requirements
Your education differs substantially from the one in the Netherlands in terms of duration or content. You may practise the profession after satisfactorily completing an adaptation period or aptitude test. - No admission
You are not or insufficiently qualified for the profession and therefore cannot be admitted.
If the profession is regulated in the Netherlands but not in the country in which the diploma was obtained, the competent authority may ask you for evidence of relevant professional experience. In this case, the competent authority must clearly substantiate its decision and specify the professional possibilities available.
You may appeal against the decision at a national judicial authority. If this course of action does not lead to a solution, you can file a complaint with SOLVIT.
Costs
The competent authority may make charges for the recognition procedure. The amount charged must, however, be proportionate to the procedural costs incurred.