Do you hold a diploma from outside Europe? If so, the Certificate of Professional Competence procedure applies to you. On this page, you will find a step-by-step plan with all the information regarding the application. After the recognition of your diploma, it is necessary to apply for BIG registration for certain professions.
This information is also available in Dutch.
Step-by-step plan for applying for a Certificate of Professional Competence
You can expand each step. In some steps, you will click through to more information. Once we have received your complete application, the application process takes an average of 6 to 18 months. The exact duration varies by person and situation.
Good preparation ensures faster processing of your application. Start by reading 'Preparing the application'. There you will find information about, among other things:
- at what level you must be proficient in Dutch (and English) and how you demonstrate this;
- the documents you must submit with your application;
- how you can log in to start the application.
We also organize general information meetings that you can attend.
Every applicant must submit certain documents (supporting evidence) with the application. Sometimes additional documents are required. These often involve documents from abroad. Many of these documents also need to be certified and sometimes translated. This takes quite a lot of time. Therefore, wait to submit your application until you have received all the necessary documents. This will prevent your application from being unnecessarily delayed.
Go to the overview of documents you need to submit.
The documents are important for your application!
Assessment Committee (CBGV) uses these documents, for example, to get an idea of your knowledge and skills.
Do you have any questions or are you unsure about anything?
Then make an appointment for one of our consultation hours. We are happy to help you on your way.
To start your application, log in to 'mijn.bigregister'. You log in with your DigiD (anyone with a citizen service number (BSN) can apply for a DigiD) or with your BIG login (if you cannot apply for a DigiD yet). A personal online file will be created for you the first time you log in.
Personal online file and messages
The first time you log in, a personal online file will be created for you. You will also receive all messages regarding your application here. You will receive an email notification when a message is ready for you.
Are all preparations complete? Then you can start the application. You can complete your application entirely online via 'mijn.bigregister.nl'. Every step you have entered is saved for 6 months. You can therefore return until you have completed everything.
Additional form for some professions
For a number of professions, there is an additional questionnaire. This is called the profession-specific appendix. Does this apply to your profession? If so, you must download this form separately and complete it in full. You can upload the completed additional form with your online application.
Go to the overview of the professions and the additional attachments (in Dutch).
Personal overview of documents you need to submit
Based on the information you provide, it is determined exactly which documents you need to submit with your application. In the final step of your application, you will see a personal overview of the documents (supporting evidence) you need to submit.
Important! We strongly advise you not to submit your application until you have gathered all the documents. Your application will only be processed once everything is complete.
Upload or by post?
You can upload some documents directly with the application, while others must be sent by post. This depends on the type of document and, for example, the type of hallmark. You will also receive information about this in your overview at the end of the application. You can also print this page. You must send documents by post after submitting the application.
Everything you have added will be kept for 6 months.
You can keep returning to your unsubmitted application until you have everything complete.
Questions or problems?
Are you encountering problems obtaining certain documents, do you have doubts, or is something unclear? Then make an appointment for one of our consultation hours.
Have you answered all questions and collected all documents? And have you uploaded the documents where possible? Then submit the application. You do this via the application button at the end of the application form. Afterwards, you can track the status of your application via mijn.bigregister.
Overview of your documents after submitting the application
In your personal file on 'mijn.bigregister.nl', you will find an overview of the documents you still need to send by post. You can also see which documents you have already submitted (online).
You will receive all messages regarding your application in your digital file.
You will receive a notification by email when a message is ready for you. You provide the email address in your application,
NB. If any documents are missing or if additional documents are required, you will be notified.
Has your application been received by us in full? If so, an initial assessment of your diploma(s) and subject overview(s) will be carried out by Nuffic or the Samenwerkingsorganisatie Beroepsonderwijs Bedrijfsleven (SBB), if necessary.
Please note! You do not need to have this assessment carried out by Nuffic or SBB yourself. We will do that for you.
Are you a doctor, dentist, or nurse? If so, you must take a professional content test (BI test) as part of the application. This assesses in which areas your knowledge and skills are equivalent to the Dutch level and in which they might not (yet). There are costs associated with this test.
Read more information about the BI test and how you can prepare.
Important for doctors!
Unfortunately, the BI test for physicians is full for this year. It is currently unknown when it will be possible to schedule participants again. We understand that this is very disappointing. We nevertheless hope for your patience. As soon as new information about the test is available, we will let you know. Please also keep an eye on our website for updates.
The Commission for Foreign Healthcare Graduates (CBGV) is an independent commission that assesses the substance of your application. If you have taken the BI test, this outcome will also be taken into account. The commission examines whether your education, diploma, and any work experience are comparable to the Dutch standard. It is possible that your application will not be assessed positively, or not immediately, for example, because you require additional training or an internship.
Meeting with committee
If your application is not assessed positively (immediately) and/or the commission has a recommendation for you, there is a possibility that you will be invited by the commission for an interview.
Read more about the assessment (BI test) and the Commission for Foreign Healthcare Graduates.
After we have received the commission's assessment, you will receive a message from us informing you of our intended decision. This may be positive or negative. It is also possible that the commission indicates that it can only recognize your diploma after you have successfully completed an adaptation internship or passed a practical skills test.
Do you disagree with the decision?
You then have 2 weeks to respond to this. If you do not respond, you will receive the final decision after these 2 weeks. You can lodge an objection against a final decision.
Read more about responding to the decision or filing an objection.
NB. You will receive all messages regarding your application, including the decision, via your digital file on 'mijn.bigregister.nl'.
If you have received a positive decision, this is your accreditation (Certificate of Professional Competence). You can also find the document in your file on mijn.bigregister.nl.
Recognition of specialization
Did you indicate in your application that you also wish to have your specialty obtained abroad recognized? If so, we will forward your recognition to the Specialist Registration commission for your specialty. This committee will then contact you.
Read more about having your specialization recognized.
Whether you are allowed to work in your profession after the recognition of your diploma depends on your profession. For certain professions, you must first be registered in the BIG register before you are allowed to work in the Netherlands.
BIG registration is required for: pharmacists, doctors, physiotherapists, dental hygienists, healthcare psychologists, clinical technologists, psychotherapists, physicians assistants , dentists, midwives, nurses and generalist remedial educators.
Other professions
Do you have recognition for one of the other professions? Then you may work in the Netherlands from the moment you receive the recognition.
Go to 'Register with a recognized diploma'. Here you can read what the requirements are, what you need to do, and which documents you need to submit.
Important! Request the necessary documents from abroad immediately as soon as you know that you will be recognized. Sometimes this takes a lot of time.
Information meetings, consultation hours, and consultants
We believe it is important that you know exactly what to expect, which is why we also organize information sessions that you can sign up for. Additionally, you can schedule a personal appointment for one of the consultation hours or make an appointment with one of our accreditation consultants.
Read more about our meetings, consultation hours, and consultants.
Processing time and costs of your application
Exactly how long it takes for your diploma to be recognized and how much the entire process costs varies by person and situation. For example, preparations such as learning Dutch may take more time and cost more for one person than for another. Obtaining documents from abroad can also be time-consuming and costly. At this moment, the application (and processing) itself is still free of charge for you.
Read more about 'processing time and costs'.
Information for intermediaries
Are you an intermediary representing multiple healthcare providers when applying for a Certificate of Professional Competence? Then read our information for intermediaries (in dutch).
Would you prefer not to apply online?
Then request the general application form (fillable PDF) from our customer contact center. If there is a profession-specific appendix (in Dutch) for your profession, please complete this in full as well. Send the completed application form, the additional appendix, and all required documents together by post to the address on the application form.
Please note! With this application method, you will not see a personal overview of required documents in your digital file. Read the 'explanation of required documents' page to find out which documents you need to submit in your situation.
Please note! With this application method, you will not see a personal overview of required documents in your digital file. Read the 'explanation of required documents' page to find out which documents you need to submit in your situation.
This page was last updated on September 9, 2026