Certificate of competence
This procedure is for healthcare providers with a diploma obtained outside Europe. Having a diploma recognised often requires a lot of time and effort. Therefore, go to our roadmap first. Here you will find a lot of information about the entire process. From the initial orientation to the moment you can start looking for a job in your profession. This will help you avoid surprises, tell you what to do and how to get help.
Information about recognition of foreign diploma's is also available in Dutch.
Step by step plan
You can expand each step to see information about that step.
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The application in 9 steps
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In some steps you can access more detailed information. We recommend that you also read this information. From the moment you submit the application, the procedure takes an average of 6 months to 1.5 years. The time it takes to process the preparations differs per person and situation. Only after obtaining a Certificate of Professional Competence is it possible to apply for a BIG registration for certain professions (see step 9).
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It is important that you properly prepare your application to ensure that your application is processed quickly. Therefore, read the Preparing the application section carefully. There you will find information about, among other things, the required Dutch language skills. We also organize consultation hours and general information meetings about this procedure.
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Have you made all the necessary preparations? Then you can start your online application via 'mijn.bigregister.nl '.Log in with your DigiD (anyone with a citizen service number (BSN) can apply for DigiD) or with your BIG login (if you cannot yet apply for DigiD). If you do not yet have a login method, apply for one first.
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Answer all the questions. At the end of your application you will receive an overview of the documents (evidence) that you must submit. A brief explanation is provided with each required piece of evidence.
Occupation-specific appendix
For some professions there is an additional questionnaire, this is called the profession-specific appendix. Is there an additional profession-specific appendix for your profession (in Dutch)? Then you must download and fill it in separately. You can upload this appendix in your online application.
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With your application you must submit various mandatory documents (evidence). After filling in the questions in the online form, you will see a personal overview of the (mandatory) documents that you must submit with your application with an explanation. Depending on the type of document and, for example, the type of certification, some documents can be uploaded directly and other documents must be send by post. You will also receive information about this in the overview.
Your application can only be processed once we have received all required documents. If you encounter problems obtaining certain documents or if anything is unclear, please contact us.
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After your application is complete, we will assess your qualification(s) and overview(s) of subjects, if necessary.
This assessment will be carried out by Nuffic or by the Foundation for Cooperation on Vocational Education, Training and Labour Market [Samenwerkingsorganisatie Beroepsonderwijs Bedrijfsleven] (SBB).
Important! You do not have to arrange for this assessment to be carried out by Nuffic or SBB; we will do that for you.
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Doctors, dentists and nurses take a professional content test (BI-test). To prepare, you can participate in an information meeting. There are costs associated with this test. Read more about the BI-test.
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The Commission for Foreign Healthcare Graduates [Commissie Buitenlands Gediplomeerden Volksgezondheid] (CBGV) is an independent commission that assesses your application and the results of the professional (BI) test. It is possible that your application is not approved, or is not approved immediately, for example because you a need to take an additional course, or do an additional work placement.
If your application is not approved, or not approved immediately, there is a possibility that the commission will invite you to a meeting. Read more about the the Commission for Foreign Healthcare Graduates.
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After we have received the commission's advice, we will first send you a message explaining which decision we intend to take. This is referred to as the intended decision. This decision may be positive or negative. If you do not agree with the intended decision, you will have 2 weeks to respond.
If you do not respond, you will receive the definitive decision after these 2 weeks. If you wish, you can object to this definitive decision. Read more about 'Assessment and decision'.
You will receive all messages about your application in your digital file on 'My BIG register'. If you do not yet have a DigiD or BIG login, you can request one. For more information go to 'Preparing the application'.
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The positive decision you have received is your acknowledgement, so keep this document safe.
Recognition of specialization
If you have indicated in the application that you also want to have your foreign specialization recognized, we will also send the positive decision to the specialist registration committee of your specialization. This committee will then contact you. Read more about recognition of specialization .
Are you allowed to work or not yet?
For the following professions, you must first be included in the BIG register before you are allowed to work in the Netherlands. BIG registration is required for: pharmacists, doctors, physiotherapists, registered dental hygienists, healthcare psychologists, clinical technologists, psychotherapists, physician assistants, dentists, midwives, nurses and general orthopedagogues. Read more in step 10.
Other professions
If you have recognition for one of the other professions , you are now allowed to work in the Netherlands with your recognized diploma.
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Did you indicate in your application that you also want to apply for your BIG registration immediately after the recognition of your diploma? Then you do not need to submit an application yourself. You will receive a message from us about the next steps. Under ' BIG registration with a recognised diploma ' you can read, among other things, which requirements you must meet and which mandatory documents (evidence) you must submit.
Mandatory documents
For your BIG registration you must provide proof of Dutch language proficiency, among other things. You must also provide certain statements from abroad. Read the information about this on the page 'BIG registration with a recognized diploma' carefully.
Apply for documents from abroad immediately as soon as you know that you will be recognized. Sometimes this takes a lot of time.
When not indicated
If you did not indicate in your application that you also want to apply for BIG registration, but you do want this now? Then you must apply for your BIG registration yourself via the BIG registration application form (in Dutch).
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Do you not want to apply online?
Please 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 form also. You send the application form, the additional appendix and all required documents together by post to the address on the application form.
With this method of requesting, you will not see a personal overview of documents to be submitted in your digital file. Read on the 'explanation of documents to be supplied' page which documents you must supply.