Recognition of professional qualifications

This procedure applies in general to applicants with a non-automatically recognised qualification obtained in an EU member state or Switzerland. If you have not yet done this, check the Advice Wizard to see whether this procedure is applicable to your situation. After obtaining a recognition of professional qualifications it is possible, for certain professions, to apply for a BIG registration.

Last updated on the 11th of august 2022

The procedure

The steps that make up the procedure for recognising professional qualifications are shown below. If you have submitted the application and all the required documents, your application can be processed. This will take a maximum of 12 weeks. If necessary, this period can be extended by 1 month.

Step-by-step plan

Read the step-by-step plan on this page properly before you start the application. It is likely that you will have to do some preparatory work first.

Recognition of professional qualifications

The steps that make up the procedure are shown below

The procedure in 7 steps
1. 1.Prepare the application
  
  It is important that you properly prepare your application to ensure that your application is processed quickly. Consequently, you should carefully read the section entitled Preparing the application. In addition to this we organise general information meetings about this procedure a number of times per year.
  
  You will receive all messages about your application in your digital file on 'My BIG register'. To view your message in your file, you must log in with your DigiD or your BIG login. For more information go to 'Preparing the application'.
2. 2.Complete the application form and add the documents
  Complete the general application form and, if applicable, the profession-specific annex.
  - If you want to have your specialism recognised at the same time, please indicate this on the form.
  - Print the form and sign section 5 of the application form.
  - Add the requested documents. See section 13 of the application form and more information about the documents you have to send to us.
  Important! Complete the application form in full and add all documents, otherwise we will be unable to process your application.
3. 3.Submit the application form and the documents
  
  You should send the form, any annex(es) and the required documents to:
  
  CIBG
  Recognition of foreign qualifications
  P.O. 16114
  2500 BC The Hague
  The Netherlands
  
  You will receive a confirmation of receipt within 2 weeks. You will be notified if any documents are missing.
  
  You will receive all messages about your application in your digital file on 'My BIG register'. To view your message in your file, you must log in with your DigiD or your BIG login. For more information go to 'Preparing the application'.
4. 4.Assessment by the commission
  
  The Commission for Foreign Healthcare Graduates [Commissie Buitenlands Gediplomeerden Volksgezondheid] (CBGV) is an independent commission that assesses your application. When your application is complete, and if the CBGV considers it necessary, we will submit your qualification to the Dutch Organisation for Internationalisation in Education (Nuffic) or the Foundation for Cooperation on Vocational Education, Training and Labour Market [Samenwerkingsorganisatie Beroepsonderwijs Bedrijfsleven] (SBB). After that the CBGV will advise on the application. You can read more about the assessment on the 'Assessment and decision' page.
5. 5.Receipt of (intended) decision
  
  After we have received the CBGV's advice, we will first send you a message explaining to you which decision we intend to take. This is referred to as the intended decision. This decision may be positive or negative. The commission may also indicate that they can only recognise your qualification after you have successfully completed an adaptation internship or have submitted a proof of competence. You can read more about the decision on the 'Assessment and decision' page.
  
  Do you disagree with the decision?
  
  If so, you 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. You can read more about this on the 'Objection and appeal' page.
  
  You will receive all messages about your application, including the decision, via your digital file on 'My BIG-register'. For more information go to 'Preparing the application'.
6. 6.The recognition of your professional qualifications
  
  The positive decision you have received is your recognition, so you should keep this document in a safe place.
  
  Recognition of specialism
  
  If you have indicated in the application that you also want to have your foreign specialist qualification recognised, we will also send the positive decision to the specialists' registration commission that is responsible for your specialism. This commission will then contact you. Read more about the recognition of a specialism.
7. 7.It is now possible to apply for BIG registration (for certain professions)
  
  If you have received your recognition and you are a pharmacist, doctor, physiotherapist, health psychologist, clinical technologist, psychotherapist, physician assistant, dentist, midwife, nurse and general remedial educationalist, you will now be able to apply for your BIG registration. If you want to start working in the Netherlands in one of these professions and use your professional title, you are only allowed to do so if you are listed in the BIG register.
  
  One of the conditions for a BIG registration is that you can demonstrate that you have a sufficient command of the Dutch language. In connection with this you must submit proof of Dutch language proficiency. Read more about applying for BIG registration with a recognition.
  
  For the other professions you can use your professional title and independently practise the profession if your qualification has been recognised in the Netherlands.