BIG registration with a recognised qualification
If you are a pharmacist, doctor, physiotherapist, dental hygienist, health psychologist, clinical technologist, physician assistant, psychotherapist, dentist, nurse, midwife or remedial educationalist-generalist (Article 3 and 36a professions), you can submit an application for BIG registration after you have received a Recognition of professional qualifications. This registration is mandatory in order to be able to work in these professions in the Netherlands and to be able to use the professional title.
Did you obtain your diploma more than 5 years ago, or is your recognition older than 5 years? Then there are additional requirements for your work experience or education.
Other professions
All other professions can use the professional title and work in the Dutch healthcare sector after their professional qualifications have been recognised. BIG registration is not required for these professions.
Conditions for BIG registration
- You have a recognised qualification for one of the 12 Article 3 professions.
You fulfil this requirement if you have a Recognition of professional qualifications for one of these professions. - You have a satisfactory command of the Dutch language.
You must submit a Proof of Dutch language proficiency. - You do not have any active restriction of authority for your profession and no criminal convictions.
You must submit proof to back this up.
Did you obtain your qualification over 5 years ago?
If you obtained your qualification 5 years ago or longer, additional requirements will apply to your application with regard to work experience or training. These are the same requirements as the re-registration criteria that every BIG registered healthcare professional must fulfil every five years in order to be allowed to re-register. If you wish to submit a registration application using a qualification that is older than 5 years, you must also fulfil these criteria and submit documents (evidence). Please carefullty read the information 'Applications with a qualification older them five years'.
Training trajectory
If you do not fulfil the work experience requirements, you may be able to register by attending a training course which awards a Periodical Registration Certificate (PRC). Please contact us to find out whether this is possible in your case.
Applying for BIG registration
- Prepare your application by collecting the required documents and by learning Dutch if necessary and/or taking a test.
- Complete the application form (Dutch)
(if your qualification is older than 5 years, please use the form for registration applications with an older qualification). - Print and sign the application form.
- Add the evidence.
- Send the application and the documents by post to the BIG register (CIBG) in Heerlen.