Frequently asked questions about the AKV test and language certificates

The AKV test will expire on January 1, 2024. No AKV tests will be offered after that date. A resit is therefore no longer possible. You must then provide Dutch and English language certificates when submitting your application.

Yes, but only as long as places are available. You can see whether there are still places available via the Babel Language Institute, the provider of the AKV test. If there are no more places available, you must provide language certificates. It is also possible to obtain a language certificate from the Babel Language Institute.

Yes that is possible. The certificates must meet the following requirements:

•     The Dutch certificate is obtained on the basis of an exam taken for reading, writing, speaking and listening;
•     The English certificate was obtained on the basis of an exam taken for reading;
•     The certificates have been obtained at the language level required for the profession;
•     The certificates were obtained with a passing grade;
•     The certificates were obtained no more than two years ago.
•     The Dutch language certificate has been obtained from a language institute located in the Netherlands. An exception to this is the 'Dutch as a foreign language' test (CNaVT).

Note! A certificate or proof of participation in a language course is not a valid language certificate. You must have taken an exam at the language institute and obtained a passing grade.

Yes, you can still provide language certificates. You will receive a refund for the AKV test if you have not yet taken the test. If you have already taken the AKV test, you will not receive a refund.

If you have paid for the AKV test, but there are no more places available, you will receive your money back.

This also means that you must provide language certificates. It is possible to obtain a regular language certificate from Language Institute Babel, but this can also be done through another provider. You can arrange to obtain a language certificate yourself with the provider. Read questions 8, 9 and 16 for the requirements for the certificate, the language level and possible providers.

Yes, that is possible as long as there are still tests available. If there are no more test places available, you must provide language certificates.

You can arrange to obtain a language certificate yourself with the provider. Read questions 8, 9 and 16 for the requirements for the certificate, the language level and providers of language training and exams.

If you have passed part A or B of the AKV test for academics, you can supplement this with partial certificates. The following combinations are possible:

• Combination of AKV test A with a certificate B2+ listening component;
• Combination of AKV test B with a B2+ reading component certificate.

Language institutes where you can obtain individual B2+ listening or reading certificate components:

• BGB Academy (dentists only)
• Language school And now
• Dutch Nedles (only including course)
• Suez Language Tests

No, the AKV test will no longer be available in 2024. This means that you must provide language certificates.

If you have passed part A or B of the AKV test for academics, you can supplement this with partial certificates. The following combinations are possible:

• Combination of AKV test A with a certificate B2+ listening component;
• Combination of AKV test B with a B2+ reading component certificate.

Language institutes where you can obtain individual B2+ listening or reading certificate components:

• BGB Academy (dentists only)
• Language school And now
• Dutch Nedles (only including course)
• Suez Language Tests

You can contact:

• Providers of the NT2 state exam (for MBO and HBO language levels B1 and B2).
• NUT institutions (association of Dutch and Flemish University Language Centers).
• For Dutch language level B2+ you will find an overview of providers of this language level on this website.
• All other language institutes where a certificate at the correct language level can be obtained through an exam.

The certificate must meet the following requirements:

• The Dutch certificate is obtained on the basis of an exam taken for reading, writing, speaking and listening;
• The English certificate was obtained on the basis of an exam taken for reading;
• The certificates have been obtained at the language level required for the profession;
• The certificates were obtained with a passing grade;
• The certificates were obtained no more than two years ago.
• The Dutch language certificate has been obtained from a language institute located in the Netherlands. An exception to this is the 'Dutch as a foreign language' test (CNaVT).

The Dutch certificate contains the following components: reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Only English reading skills are important for the certificate of competence. The exam for the certificate must at least include reading.

No, a specific quality mark is not mandatory.

It is recommended to obtain B1 and B2 certificates via the State Exam NT2 or NUT institution Members. You are then assured of good quality. However, other language schools are also accepted. A language course in preparation for an exam can be taken through organizations that have the quality mark or license(s) Blik op Werk.

This is only possible via CNaVT (Certificate Dutch as a Foreign Language). Other Dutch language certificates from foreign language schools are not accepted.

No, a certificate of participation is not sufficient. The certificate must show that an exam has been taken and that the test components have been passed. It is recommended to obtain Dutch certificates at B1 and B2 level via the State Exam N2T or NUT institution.

No, we do not list language schools on the website. An exception to this are language schools that offer B2+ examinations, because the number of providers of this language level is very small. These providers are therefore difficult to find for foreign healthcare providers.

Dutch language certificate:

Certificate English: