Questions and answers

The diploma of all healthcare providers who want to work in the Netherlands must be recognized by the Dutch government.

The government has an important task in guaranteeing and monitoring the quality of care and patient safety. Diplomas are important because people can demonstrate with their diploma that they are sufficiently qualified.

All Dutch training institutions are recognized by the government and therefore all diplomas obtained in the Netherlands are automatically recognized. Foreign training institutions are not recognized in the Netherlands. We therefore do not know what the level of foreign training is. Because the level of these courses is unknown, foreign diplomas are recognized separately. This is officially done by the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport. The CIBG carries out this task on behalf of the minister.

To work as a pharmacist in the Netherlands you must have a BIG registration. The Dutch training for pharmacists often differs greatly from most foreign training courses for pharmacists. This often means that a three-year master's degree in pharmacy (often together with a pre-master's degree) must first be completed before recognition of the diploma and subsequent BIG registration is possible.

But in the Netherlands it is also possible to work in the field of interest of a pharmacist without BIG registration. You can do this without following the long master route.

Below you will find various options in the pharmacist's area of ​​interest:

• Many activities that are close to the work of a pharmacist often do not require BIG registration. A research master's degree is usually sufficient. A research master's degree takes 2 years, an academic master's degree, such as the pharmacy course, takes 3 years. Because the bachelor's program is a basic scientific course and a wide range of research master's programs can be added to it, the requirements of the pre-master's are often more limited. The master's degree in pharmacy is a full-time study, a research master's degree is often better completed part-time and is often more flexible. In addition, it is sometimes possible to (partly) complete the research project at the current/future workplace. An example is the Master 'drug innovation, biopharmaceutical sciences, pharmaceutical technology'. See also Choosing a Master's degree [in Dutch].
• BIG registration is not necessary for many tasks and functions in this industry. Via The Association of Dutch Industrial Pharmacists [in Dutch] it is possible to gain insight into what tasks and functions there are for industrial pharmacists. They can also tell you what is a sensible way to meet the desired level of education. This can often be done through partial courses or separate courses.
• There are many courses at the ECA Academy for all kinds of work as a QP (Qualified person with authority to release medicines). They also have a good English-language newsletter to stay up-to-date on all kinds of changes and training regarding the GMP.
• There are many vacancies for pharmacists and qualified persons on LinkedIn. Here you will also find the requirements that someone must meet to be eligible for certain vacancies. You can also use this information to complete your own profile.
• It is also possible to submit an application for a certificate of professional competence as a pharmacy assistant. This is an MBO (Secondary Education) profession and is therefore of a lower level than the pharmacist in the Netherlands. The pharmacy assistant committee will then compare your diploma with the Dutch training for pharmacy assistants. The committee will assess whether you may need to take additional training or whether you can immediately start working as a pharmacy assistant. If you need to complete additional training, this will be shorter than if you apply as a pharmacist.

Professional organization for pharmacists

To support your choices for other work as a pharmacist (other than public pharmacy and hospital pharmacy), it is possible to use the KNMP mentor network [in Dutch]. The KNMP is the professional organization of pharmacists in the Netherlands. Access can only be gained through someone who is a member of the KNMP. The committee can provide support in this regard.

Background information

The Commission for Foreign Healthcare Graduates (CBGV) sees that Dutch training as a pharmacist differs greatly from most training courses for pharmacists taken abroad. The curriculum abroad is quite traditional compared to the Dutch curriculum. As a result, a number of subjects are missing that are important for the work of the Dutch pharmacist.

This concerns medication guidance, pharmaceutical patient care, medication assessments, auditing, medication reviews, specific ICT skills and communication. In addition, foreign courses are often at bachelor's level, the Dutch course is at master's level and lasts 6 years.

We know from experience that due to these major differences, the committee almost always imposes a three-year master's degree in pharmacy, often together with a pre-master's degree, before a Certificate of Professional Competence can be issued. In combination with the recognition process at the CIBG, this is a long way to be able to work as a pharmacist in the Netherlands. Depending on the personal situation, it may therefore be useful for some pharmacists trained abroad to opt for other work within the field of interest as a pharmacist.

A certified copy is a copy of a document with an original certification stamp (ink stamp) and a signature or initials of the institution that issued the document or of a notary established in an EEA Member State. For the 'Certificate of professional competence' procedure, the document must be certified by a notary established in the Netherlands.

The hallmark stamp and signature or initials declare that the contents of the copy are the same as the original. We ask for a certified copy because this document has sufficient authenticity features.

Please note: an apostille does not replace a certified copy. An apostille only proves that the signature on the document is genuine, but says nothing about the contents of the document. For this reason, an apostille is not accepted.

It has been agreed with training institutions that they will provide one or more certified copies at the diploma ceremony.

Important to know

• Certified copies will not be returned and will remain part of your file with us.

• We strongly recommend that you do not send any original documents. Unfortunately, these are often lost in the mail. If you still want to send an original document, this is at your own risk.

• You can collect an original document after you have received notification from us that your file is complete. We recommend that you collect the original within one month after receiving the letter. After this month, the original will be sent to a central archive and collection will only be possible by appointment.

• A translator can not certify the original document that you have translated. This can only be done by the institution that issued the document or by a notary from an EEA member state.

There are three recognition procedures. By completing our advice wizard you will quickly see which procedure applies to you.

The procedures:

• For diplomas obtained within the EU, which are automatically recognized directly within Europe.
• For diplomas obtained within the EU that are not automatically recognized.
• For diplomas obtained outside the EU.

The advice wizard is based on general situations. Sometimes an application shows that a situation is slightly different and a different procedure must be followed. If this applies to you, we will contact you.

A document is properly certified if it bears an original hallmark stamp (ink stamp) with a signature or initials from the institution that issued the document or from a notary established in an EEA member state.

This usually involves certifying a copy of the original document (for example a diploma). The hallmark stamp and the signature or initials declare that the contents of the copy are the same as the original and therefore have the same value. This means that a certified copy may replace the original.

Under 'What is a validated certified copy?' you will find more information about hallmarks.

Proof of language proficiency is a requirement for obtaining BIG registration. Healthcare providers with a foreign diploma must be able to communicate with patients and colleagues in the same way as healthcare providers with a Dutch diploma. You must therefore have a sufficient command of the Dutch language.

More information about Dutch language proficiency.

Without recognition and possibly BIG registration, you are not yet authorized to work in your profession. But that doesn't mean you can't work at all. You may work in the Netherlands on assignment of a BIG-registered healthcare provider or a healthcare provider who is allowed to use the same educational title as you.

Short explanation working on assignment

A qualified healthcare provider can have you perform all activities that are part of your profession on assignment. If you want to perform activities in a profession that requires BIG registration, you may only do so on behalf of a healthcare provider who has an active BIG registration. The healthcare provider who supervises you is responsible for your actions and must check whether you also have the knowledge and skills to perform the actions properly. In addition, the healthcare provider must check whether you perform them properly. Your position is actually the same as someone in the final phase of their training in the Netherlands and is doing an internship (co-ships). Read our more extensive explanation about working on assignment carefully for more information.

Always discuss and coordinate work on assignment with your employer.

When are you allowed to work independently?

• For doctors, dentists, pharmacists, healthcare psychologists, general orthopedagogues, psychotherapists, physician assistants, physiotherapists, midwives and nurses: you may work independently in your profession after recognition of your diploma and registration in the BIG register.
• For all other professions: you may work independently in your profession after recognition of your diploma.

You can upload many documents via the upload tool 'My BIG register'. Documents whose authenticity needs to be checked must be sent by post. In the document 'Toelichting bij aanleveren documenten' [in Dutch] you will find a detailed explanation of which documents you can (or cannot) upload and how uploading works.

Are you applying for BIG (re)registration and do you have foreign work experience or are you requesting recognition of your foreign diploma? Then you must provide a number of documents (evidence) with your application. To help you provide documents that meet the requirements, we have placed a number of examples with explanations on the website.

You must provide additional documents if your diploma was obtained 5 years or more ago. All healthcare providers in the BIG register must apply for reregistration every five years. To be able to reregister, the healthcare provider must, for example, have worked a minimum number of hours in the profession and be able to demonstrate this. The final re-registration date (UHD) for everyone is always 5 years after the diploma date.

Did you obtain your diploma 5 years or more ago? Then you must also meet the re-registration requirements the first time you register. This means that you must also provide documents (evidence) that prove your work experience over the past 5 years. Visit ‘Qualification older than five years’ for more information.

To register with a diploma obtained 5 years or more ago, you must immediately provide evidence of your work experience (re-registration work experience requirements) over the past 5 years. This could include, for example, an employer's statement with a job description. On the page Advies over bewijsstukken [in Dutch], you can find an online tool that gives you advice about about which supporting documents can be provided in your situation.

You can also view examples of commonly used supporting documents for reregistration with a brief explanation.

If you do not meet the work experience requirements, you may be able to register by obtaining a Periodic Registration Certificate (PRC) through a training program. Please contact us to determine if this is possible for you.

Evaluation framework

The beoordelingskaders voor herregistratie per beroep [in Dutch] describe the requirements for reregistration per profession. Sometimes the boundaries of what may count are not equally clear in every situation. A number of practical examples have therefore been included in the evaluation framework for your profession. You will also find a more detailed description of the conditions that apply to activities that may be counted.

Is there no legal register in a country and therefore no competent authority in the field of your profession, or does a competent authority not issue a statement? Then you must demonstrate that you can't provide a CCPS and/or a CGC. This can be done, for example, with a statement or confirmation from the relevant competent authority, which says that they don't issue a CCPS and/or CGC.

In addition, you provide a personal statement (made under oath) that there is no authority-restricting measure in force. This declaration may not be older than three months and must have been issued only by:

• a notary established in an EEA member state, or

• a non-Dutch competent government authority (for example an embassy or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or the Ministry of Health), or
• a competent judicial authority

You must submit the sworn statement by post. This must be the original or a certified copy.

Text in the statement under oath:

“I declare that I am not subject to any measure resulting from a judicial, disciplinary or administrative decision given in [INSERT THE COUNTRY IN QUESTION HERE] in force which would deprive me of my rights to practice the profession concerned in the country where the decision was made, in whole or in part, temporarily or permanently, and my past behavior does not constitute an obstacle to fulfilling a medical task or function in society.”

The Commission for Foreign Healthcare Graduates (CBGV) compares the training followed, with the current Dutch training. The criterion used by the CBGV is: the training completed must be equivalent in terms of content and level to a training course completed in the Netherlands.

If this is not the case, the CBGV will check whether the differences have been compensated by different education, training and work experience. It is therefore important that your information about this is complete. Based on this, the CBGV advises whether additional training/ adaptation internship/ test of professional competence is necessary.

In order to compare your training with the Dutch training, we ask you for a training program (also called Syllabus or Curriculum) of the training you followed. The training program must contain a substantive description of the subjects taken and must be divided into theoretical and practical subjects. It must also state how many hours of education you have had in a subject. It must be a clear and complete overview of all the years that you followed the training.

A training program is not the same as a course overview. A course overview only mentions the courses taken, and not what the content of the course is and which competencies have been covered.

Examples of syllabuses.

It is important that you keep up with developments in your field. One of the ways to keep up with these developments is to read professional literature. This professional literature is usually in English. For this reason, demonstrating the appropriate level of English reading skills is important.

What is needed is different for each person. Below are some suggestions that may help you in your preparation. Any books and courses mentioned are therefore not mandatory.

For nurses

You can visit the BIG reregistration law website [in Dutch]. Here you will find information about the content of the test and preparing for the test.

For doctors

In the document 'assessment doctor' [in Dutch] you will find general information about the content and structure of tests. In addition, you can use the suggestions below to prepare for the tests:

• The digital books of the clinical subjects are available via the website of studeergeneeskunde.nl[in Dutch].
  The books about scenarios that can also be found on this website are not suitable for preparation of the BI test.
• The website 'Het Compendium Geneeskunde' [in Dutch] offers a summary of basic medical knowledge in a number of volumes.

There are also various organizations that offer workshops in preparation for the tests:

• OBUA: Onderwijs Buitenlandse Artsen
• VBGA: www.vbga.nl

For dentists

U vindt globale informatie over de inhoud en opzet van toetsen op deze website.

In the document 'assessment dentist' [in Dutch] you will find general information about the content and structure of tests. An important part of the preparation is practicing with the Simodont and using Canvas, ACTA's digital learning environment.

After official registration with ACTA by the CIBG, you can prepare for the professional (BI) test on the ACTA website. There you will find a BI Test Canvas Course specially designed for the BI test.on the BI test Canvas course specially designed for the BI test.

Yes. With your application you must provide a certificate of Dutch language proficiency and English reading proficiency at the correct level. Without these certificates your application cannot be processed.

No, each application is truly an individual process and is assessed individually. Your application and documents will be assessed by the Commission for Foreign Healthcare Graduates (CBGV). The CBGV assesses whether your education is equivalent to a Dutch education in terms of content and level. A diploma can be recognized if the characteristics of your education are equal or almost equal to the Dutch education. If this is not the case, the commission will examine whether the differences are compensated by different education, training and/or work experience. This means that, for example, two applicants with the same diploma may receive different advice.

Find more information about the Commission for Foreign Healthcare Graduates.

The courses in the Netherlands are sometimes different than abroad. Your diploma will be recognized if the characteristics of your education are equal or almost equal to the Dutch education. Dutch courses have the following characteristics:

• The level of training is high

• These are broad courses, they are aimed at all patient categories and all sectors of healthcare: prevention, home care, primary and secondary care.

• The courses prepare students to practice their profession independently. Healthcare providers in the Netherlands often do not work on behalf of the doctor. This means that they must be able to make diagnoses and indications themselves

• The courses focus not only on technical aspects of the profession, but also on skills and competencies such as collaboration, methodical working, evidence-based thinking and professional behavior.

The above characteristics are taken into account when assessing your application.

The assessment is made by an independent committee of experts, the Commission for Foreign Healthcare Graduates (CBGV). The members of this commission work in practice and at training institutions.

If you want to work as a dental hygienist in the Netherlands, you can do so as a dental hygienist or as a registered dental hygienist. The right choice varies per person or (future) situation. And because making the choice may be difficult, we will help you with it. We will contact you as soon as we receive your application for recognition of your foreign diploma and discuss the procedure and your personal situation with you. During or after this conversation you make your choice and inform us of this.

Recognition diploma

For the recognition of your diploma, you will be assessed for both professions at the final level of the current Dutch dental care training course. This assessment is done by the CBGV. This commission will invite you for an interview at a later stage of the procedure.

Working in the Netherlands

The recognition procedure is the same for both professions. However, the process to actually be allowed to work in the Netherlands is different for both professions. Below is the global trajectory for each profession:

Dental hygienist

• You apply for recognition of your diploma.
• Once you have received your recognition, you can use the title of dental hygienist and you can work in the Netherlands as a dental hygienist.

Registered dental hygienist

• You apply for recognition of your diploma.
• After your diploma is recognized, you apply for BIG registration as a registered dental hygienist. You must provide various documents (evidence).
• In addition to a valid diploma, you must also provide a radiation protection certificate (Supervisory Radiation Protection Dentistry Employee (TMS)). The certificate must be issued by a recognized training institution.
• After registration in the BIG register, you may use the title of registered dental hygienist. You may then work in the Netherlands as a registered dental hygienist and independently (without instructions from the dentist) perform certain reserved actions.

Professional differences between the two professions

Registered dental hygienist

May independently perform the following reserved actions:

• take x-rays;
• giving injections (sedation);
• filling the first cavities.

Dental hygienist

May only perform the reserved procedures (taking X-rays, anesthetizing and filling the first cavities) on the instructions of a dentist or registered dental hygienist.

The training courses for nursing and individual health care are very similar. The nursing course is one level higher. Caregivers often work in elderly care, nurses in hospitals.

It may be useful for you to submit two applications at the same time. Many nurses cannot be recognized immediately, but must follow additional training or an adjustment internship. Recognition as a provider of individual healthcare often occurs more quickly in practice. As soon as your diploma as a personal health care provider has been recognized, you can start working as a caregiver.

No, if you want to work in the Netherlands as a healthcare psychologist, you must have recognition of your diploma and you must register in the BIG register. Due to the differences with the Dutch training program, in most cases an adjustment period is necessary before recognition and registration as a mental health psychologist in the Netherlands is possible. With a master's degree in psychology (such as a Belgian master's degree), you can immediately start working in the Netherlands as a basic psychologist. Recognition or registration is then not necessary.

You must provide a CCPS and CGC from:

•  the country where you obtained your diploma;
•  all countries where you lived for more than three months after obtaining your diploma, followed additional internships/internships or worked in your profession.

You provide a separate CCPS and a separate CGC for each country. Both documents must meet certain requirements. You will find these requirements in the overview of supporting documents.

Note! Have you lived in a country, but not worked in your profession and/or completed an internship/internship? Then you do not need a CCPS but a 'Non-registration' statement. Read the information under the question: 'Do I also have to provide a CCPS and CGC if I have never worked?'.

You must provide a CGC from all countries where you have lived for more than 3 months. Even if you didn't work there.

If you have not worked in your profession in a country where you have lived for more than 3 months, you should ask the competent authority of that country for a “Non-registration” statement instead of a CCPS. This is a statement confirming that you are not (or have not been) registered in the professional register and that there are no jurisdictional restrictions against you.

Both documents must meet certain requirements. Find more info in the overview of supporting documents.

For more information about obtaining a CCPS, you can often contact the Ministry of Health in the relevant country. On our website you will find an overview of the competent authorities [in Dutch] that are known to us.

A CGC can usually be requested from the Ministry of Justice or the Ministry of the Interior in the country in question.

Does the relevant competent authority not issue the requested document? Then read the information under the question: 'I cannot provide CCPS and/or CGC, what now?'.

Is there no legal register in a country, and is there therefore no competent authority in the field of your profession or does a competent authority not issue a declaration? Then you must demonstrate that you cannot provide CCPS and/or CGC. This can be done, for example, with a statement or confirmation from the relevant competent authority stating that they do not issue a CCPS and/or CGC.

In addition, you provide a personal statement (made under oath) that there is no authority-restricting measure in force. This declaration may not be older than three months and must have been issued only by:

• a notary established in an EEA member state, or
• a non-Dutch competent government authority (for example an embassy or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or the Ministry of Health), or
• a competent judicial authority

The sworn statement must be the original or a certified copy and must be submitted by post.

Text in the statement under oath:

“I declare that I am not subject to any measure resulting from a judicial, disciplinary or administrative decision given in [INSERT THE COUNTRY IN QUESTION HERE] in force which would deprive me of my rights to practice the profession concerned in the country where the decision was made, in whole or in part, temporarily or permanently, and my past behavior does not constitute an obstacle to fulfilling a medical task or function in society.”