Which documents can I use to prove my work experience abroad?
Did you obtain your diploma 5 years or more ago? Or do you have a Certificate of Professional Competence older than 5 years? Then you must meet additional requirements when registering for the first time. These are the same requirements that Dutch healthcare providers must meet every 5 years in order to be able to reregister. This means that you must provide documents (evidence) that prove your work experience in your profession over the past 5 years.
What information should we be able to find in the documents?
To assess your work experience, we need certain information per period worked. Sometimes one document contains all the requested information. Sometimes you have to send multiple documents for this. The information we always need:
• The period (start and end date);
• How many hours you worked during the period (per week in total);
• What position(s) you held (job name);
• What work you have carried out;
• At what level these activities are carried out (explaination below).
Explanation of level of work
Because the work of some professions is not carried out at the same level in all (EU) countries, it is important that you clearly show what the content of your work was. This makes it possible to assess whether the level of your work was (at least) equal to the level of Dutch training and job performance.
Possible evidence
You can choose how you demonstrate your work. Below you will find a number of options:
• an appointment letter;
• an employment contract;
• a job description
• Statement from an accountant (administrator) or client.
• A statement signed by your employer or professional client
Example statements
Below are 2 model statements that can completed and signed as evidence. These statements are in Dutch. You can also use these sample statements as an example for a statement you have drawn up in English. You must have this statement signed by your (former) employer, client or accountant. Make sure that all requested data in the model is also included in this statement.
• Declaration to be completed by employer or professional client
• Declaration for self-employed professionals completed by an accountant/administrator
Important condition!
Is there a legally established (professional) register in the country where you worked? Then your work experience only counts if you were actively registered in this register. This applies to both Dutch and foreign work experience. If there is no legal register in the country, work experience without registration does count. Dutch work experience only counts if you had an active BIG registration during the work.