Every person who wants to work in healthcare in the Netherlands must have a good command of Dutch. Most patients speak Dutch and Dutch is also spoken within healthcare. That is why you must provide proof of Dutch language proficiency. What you can provide as evidence depends on your situation. Applicants for a Certificate of Competence must also provide proof of English reading skills.
What proof of language proficiency?
There are various valid proofs of Dutch language proficiency. Read the information below to see whether you already have correct proof or whether you still need to obtain a Dutch language proficiency certificate, for example. Click to open the section that applies to you.
The diploma of your vocational training proves that you are proficient in the language.
A number of schools in the Netherlands offer physiotherapy training in multiple languages. If this applies to you, you must submit an original certified document with your diploma, stating the language in which you completed the training. You received this statement from the school, together with your diploma.
You can prove that you attended Dutch-language primary education (primary school). For example; a report from group 8 together with a diploma from Dutch secondary education (high school), is valid proof of language proficiency.
A Certificate of Competence issued by the CIBG, is your proof of language proficiency. To receive this, you have already had to prove your language skills.
A language certificate that meets the requirements below is valid proof of language proficiency.
An exam/test or assessment must have been completed. Proof of participation in a course is not sufficient.
The test must consist of the following components: writing, listening, reading and speaking.
All components must be completed at the correct language level and with good results.
The diploma or certificate may not be older than 2 years.
The certificate must be original or authenticated.
Evidence other than the previously mentioned evidence, is sometimes also valid. We will assess whether evidence sufficiently demonstrates that you have a command of Dutch at the correct level. Often a combination of evidence is needed in this situation. Examples of combinations that together may serve as proof of language proficiency:
A language certificate that does not meet all requirements (for example because it is older than two years), together with a Dutch spoken subsequent course at a lower level than your vocational training.
You have only completed primary education in Dutch (or only secondary education), combined with a Dutch-language subsequent course or Dutch-language work experience.
An obtained language certificate that does not (fully) meet the requirements, together with work experience where you had to use the Dutch language.
Examples of proof of language proficiency that are not valid:
An integration diploma from the Civic Integration Act . The language level tested here is A2, which is too low.
Work experience in which Dutch was spoken, without a language certificate or other completed training in the Dutch language.
Followed and completed either only primary education, or only secondary education in the Dutch language.
A participation certificate for a Dutch language course, without having taken a test/exam.
A diploma from a (vocational) training course, whose level is lower than that of the vocational training course for which the application is submitted.
You must then obtain a language certificate as proof of language proficiency. This certificate must meet the requirements stated further on this page. Here you will also find information about the required language level and who you can contact for training and tests.
Required language levels per profession
The table below shows the required language level per professional level. Examples of professions are given at each level. In the complete overview you will find all professions per level.
Level per professional level
Professional level
Language level
Academic or Scientific education (wo)
For example doctor, dentist, pharmacist
B2+ (This level is higher than B2, but lower then C1)
Higher vocational education (hbo)
For example physiotherapist, midwife, dietician, occupational therapist
B2
Secondary vocational education (MBO)
For example nursing and nursing in individual healthcare
B1
Language certificate requirements
Language certificates for the Dutch and English language (when applying for a certificate of competence) must meet the following requirements:
The course must be concluded with an exam/test or assessment. Proof of participation in a course is not sufficient.
The test must consist of the following components: writing, listening, reading and speaking.
All components must be completed at the correct level (see section ‘Required language levels per profession’) and with good results.
The diploma or certificate may not be older than 2 years.
The certificate must be original or authenticated.
Language certificate older than two years?
Then you must demonstrate that your Dutch language skills have remained up to standard. This can be done, for example, with work experience in which you spoke Dutch every day.
Who can you contact for training and testing?
You can choose where you take a language test. This also applies to taking preparatory courses or training. You are responsible for checking whether the training, course and language test meet the requirements mentioned above.
For a preparatory course or to obtain a language certificate at language level B1 and B2, please contact:
Providers of ‘Staatsexamen Nederlands als tweede taal’ (State Examination ‘Dutch as a Second Language’) (NT2).This is the national language exam for non-native speaking adults who are learning Dutch as a second language. On the website Staatsnamensnt2.nl you will find an overview of providers per province that offer language training and NT2 exams.
You can also contact all language institutes that can offer a Dutch language test at the right language level and with the right course components (reading, writing, speaking and listening).
Not all language centers offer a language course/language test at B2+ level. The institutions below certainly do that. This is not an exhaustive list. You can also take the Dutch language test at other institutions that offer this test at the right language level and with the right course components (reading, writing, speaking and listening).
Examples of providers of language level B2+
Name of institution
Name of test
Taleninstituut Babel
Taalcertificaat Nederlands voor medici B2+
ExcelLanguages
Taaltoets Nederlands
NedLes
Taaltoets Nederlands B2+
SUEZ Taaltoetsen
Taaltoets Nederlands
Taalschool ‘En nu Nederlands’
Taaltoets B2+
Retora
Taaltoets Nederlands
Georg Lamers Sprachenschule (Germany)
Fremdsprachkurse Niederländisch für Ärzte
BGB Academy
Examen Nederlands B2+
Youvvolution Development Resources Lda.
Taaltoets Nederlands
Dutch in Dialogue
Nederlands B2+ voor medici
Care Force Language Academy
Taaltoets B2+ voor medici uit de EER
Elycio Talen
Taaltoets Nederlands B1, B2 of B2+ voor zorgprofessionals
Taalbureau Lest best
Training en examen
Do you live abroad and is your Dutch good? Then you can take a test 'Dutch as a foreign language' (CNaVT). This must be a test of the Nederlandse Taalunie (Dutch Language Union). The certificate states: College voor Toetsing en Examens (Board for Testing and Examinations) or Nederlandse Taalunie (the Dutch Language Union).
Please note: A certificate/proof of participation is not sufficient; the certificate must show that you have taken and passed a test on all components.
