What one should know about
system for mutual recognition
of professional education and training
in the EU MembersStates and EEA countries
Compiled by A.Rauhvargers
Supported in terms of projects
“Recognition of professional Qualifications in Latvia in line with EU-regulations” (Matra programme of The Netherlands)
“Recognition of academic Qualifications in Latvia in line with EU-regulations” (Finnish Ministry of Foreign affairs)
Riga, 2002
Contents
Free movement is a fundamental right
Do you need recognition of your diploma when seeking employment in another EU member state or EU/EEA country?
What is a regulated profession?
How to know if your profession is regulated in Latvia?
EU Directives establish a system to facilitate access to professions in other EU/EEA countries
Academic titles
Directive 89/48/EEC
Directive 92/51/EEC
What do the directives involve? To whom do the directives apply?
Directive 99/42/EC: the Third Directive
Which directive applies to which profession?
Where to search for information?
What is the procedure for obtaining recognition in Latvia?
.Professional competence is the deciding factor!
How to appeal against a decision?
Annex I Information institutions in Latvia regarding the regulated professions and EU professional recognition directives
The cabinet of Ministers has nominated specific information institutions for the following regulated professions:
Transport professions
Road transport
Air transport
Marine transport
Agricultural professions
Annex II Competent authorities in Latvia
a) for the general directives (89/48/EEC and 92/51/EEC)
b) for the sectoral directives
System for mutual recognition
of professional education and training
Free movement is a fundamental right
Free movement is a fundamental right for an individual citizen of theEU. The Treaty of Rome contains a clause to protect againstdiscrimination due to nationality. The citizens of EU member states and theEEA countries (Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) have the right to take up employment orstart their own business in other EU/AAE countries. However, one of the most important conditions for the free movement of labour force is recognition of diplomas and professional when moving across borders
Do you need recognition of your diploma when seeking employment in another EU member state or EU/EEA country?
To find the answer, you have to be sure if your profession is regulated in the host country (see below)
If your profession is NOT regulated, you DON’T need official recognition of your professional qualification.
What is a regulated profession?
A regulated profession is a profession which by law or regulation requires authorization, registration or the equivalent. This authorization or registration is often connected with the requirement of a particular, specified education and training.
How to know if your profession is regulated in Latvia?
The number and nature of professions which are regulated differs from country to country...Please consult the list of regulated professions in Latvia (see annex III.). For more information you can also use the internet-accessible database of regulated professions in Latvia at the Recognition webpage
EU Directives establish a system to facilitate access to professions in other EU/EEA countries
The purpose of EC directives is to ensure an equal treatment of the EU/EEA citizens’ professional qualifications in all the EU/EEA countries and to stimulate therecognition of diplomas andprofessional qualifications which givepeople the right to practise aparticular profession.
These directives are valid in all the EU member states, as well as in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein
Sectoral directives. Recognition in some certain professions – architect, midwife, pharmacist, doctor, nurse, dentist and veterinary surgeon is based upon sectoral directives adopted individually for each of these professions. The sectoral directives lay down some basic requirements for the education leading to the regulated profession in question and stipulate automatic recognition of professionals across the EU/EEA.
General system of recognition. Recognition of qualifications for all the other regulated professions is covered by the General system of recognition.
Thefirst and second generaldirectives (89/48/EEC and92/51/EEC) establish recognition in professions that require training of at least 3 years of higher education and the education below that level respectively. The Third Directive 99/42/EC applies similar principles to the regulated professions for which one can qualify through professional experience.
The basic principle according to these directives is that a person who is qualified to practise a profession in his/her home country is also qualified to practise this profession in all EU/EEA countries. In the cases where it is not possible to grant immediate access to the profession in the host country because there are substantial differences in the education and training that the applicant had in his/her country of origin, the directives stipulate compensatory measures for each particular case. In some cases the applicant will still qualify in the host country, if he/she will provide evidence of sufficient experience in the profession in the country of origin, in other cases the applicant will have a choice between an adaptation period and an aptitude test[1].
Academic titles
Academic titles[2] are not protected inLatvia. It is therefore not necessaryto have a permit to use a title.
Directive 89/48/EEC
The first general directive(89/48/EEC) for the recognition ofhigher education diplomas awardedon completion of professionaleducation and training applies if theregulated profession in the hostcountry requires higher educationof at least three years’ duration.
The list of regulated professions in Annex XXX also indicates which directive applies to each particular regulated profession in Latvia.
Directive 92/51/EEC
The second general directive(92/51/EEC) supplements the firstgeneral directive and applies if theregulated profession in the hostcountry requires:
- higher education of less thanthree years’ duration, or
- professional education andtraining which is not at highereducation level (e.g. uppersecondary school training), or
- vocational training at other,lower level
What do the directives involve?To whom do thedirectives apply?
The directives apply to citizens ofthe EU member states andcitizens of Iceland, Norway andLiechtenstein. The professionaleducation and training must havebeen completed in one of thesecountries with a national diploma/certificate. A qualification outside ofthe national education system, forinstance, a qualification obtained in the United States of America or in Russia is not automaticallycovered by the EC directives. Thedirectives only apply to a personwho wishes to practise his/herprofession in another EU/EEAcountry than the one where thetraining was done. The directivesapply to both employees and theself-employed persons.
The aim of the generaldirectives is that everyoneshould have the right to practisehis/her profession in all EU/EEAcountries
However, there are certainconditions:
- If the profession is regulated inthe host country, but not in thehome country, there may be arequirement that the person haspursued the profession for twoyears out of the last ten-yearperiod
- If the education and training ismore than one year shorter thanthat required in the host country,the authorities may requireprofessional experience of atmaximum twice the length of thedifference in the training time,although no more than fouryears
- If there are substantialdifferences in the content of theeducation and training, anaptitude test or adaptationperiod over a maximum of threeyears may be required
As it is not permitted todiscriminate against a personbecause of nationality, it is notpossible to retain certain professionsfor the country’s own citizens
Exemptions from this rule arepublic offices which involve someform of exercise of power, e.g. within the police force, the legalsystem and certain high level postswithin public administration
Directive 99/42/EC: the Third Directive
The recognition mechanisms of the third directive are comparable to those of the first two directives of the General System. The host country may not simply refuse a foreign professional on the grounds of insufficient qualifications. If comparison reveals substantial differences, the host country must offer the applicant a choice between undergoing an adaptation period and taking an aptitude test. The host country may also require this if its own nationals are required to have knowledge of specific national regulations and their application.
Which directive applies to which profession?
See list of regulated professions in Annex II.
Where to search for information?
In Latvia.The ‘contact point’ that provides general information on recognition and application of the directives is the Academic Information centre (AIC). For many professions AIC will provide information on where to turn to gain the right to practise one’s profession in the country[3]. For some other professions (mainly in transport field) the Cabinet of Ministers has nominated other information institutions, see Annex I.
Latviancitizens who wish to work in otherEU/EEA countries can also turn toAIC to be referred to thecontact point in the countryconcerned.
In all EU/EEA countries.Information is provided by the national contact points listed in Annex III.
What is the procedure forobtaining recognition inLatvia?
- Information. The contact point, Academic Information centre, will
- provide general information regarding professional recognition and EU directives,
- help any applicant to establish whether his/her profession is regulated in Latvia and which is the competent institution that makes decisions for this profession.
This information can also be found in the Recognition website
- Submission of application.For most regulated professions (except the road, marine and air transport and animal husbandry professions[4]) the applications for recognition together with the necessary documents must be submitted to the Academic Information centre (AIC),
In all, cases the applicant must present the original documents and then submit the copies. The following should be attached to the application:
- proof of education/training completed (diplomas/ certificates, if necessary, with an authorised translation into the Latvian language),
- certificates documenting professional experience,
- a certificate from the competent authority in the home country on the right to practise the profession (if the profession is regulated in the home country).
- Academic Information centre will assess the applicant’s qualification and submit a statement to the competent authority of the profession in question, which will consider the right to practise the profession.
- A reply should be given within four months and the result can be one of the following:
- applicant receives a certification of recognition in the regulated profession in question. This means that access to the profession in Latviais granted and also the right to use the professional title that applies in Latvia.
- The professional education andtraining is found compatible wit the regulations in Latvia,but as the profession is not regulated in the home country, the Latvian authority requires at least two years’ previous full-time work in the profession. For the professions covered by directive 92/51/EEC this rule does NOT apply if the training which leads to the profession is regulated in the home country. Then the host country cannot require two years’ of professional experience.
- The competent authority finds that the education and training differs from the Latvian training in such a way that it is more than one year shorter. The competent authority may then require up to four years’ experience within the profession.
- The competent authority finds that
a) applicant’s education and training differs substantially from Latvian training in content and nature and/or
b)the practise of the profession requires specific knowledge of Latvian laws and regulations to be allowed to pursue the profession,
an aptitude test or an adaptation period of a maximum of three years in the profession in Latvia may be required. The main rule according to the Directives 89/48/EEC and 92/51/EEC is that the applicant him/herself should be able to choose between an aptitude test or an adaptation period, but if the profession requires special knowledge of laws and regulations, the authority will decide which is appropriate. On the other hand, the Latvian authority cannot require supplementary education and training.
- The competent authority findsthat there are too largedifferences in level or the total length ofthe education and training and the education therefore does not fit the Latvian requirements. Access to the profession istherefore denied, as it would notbe a case of exercising the sameprofession, even if the name isthe same. In this case theapplicant must acceptrequirements which may meansupplementary education andtraining.
.Professional competence is thedeciding factor!
Due to differences in theeducational systems of the EU/EEAcountries the education andtraining for a particular professionmay be at higher education level inone country, but outside of thehigher education system in anothercountry (e.g. in a vocational collegeor school). A profession which iscovered by the first general directivein some countries may be coveredby the second directive in othercountries. The education andtraining may nevertheless lead to acomparable level of professionalcompetence and prepare for theequivalent responsibilities. In thiscase, the competence should beapproved by the host country
How to appeal against adecision?
The negative decision of thecompetent authority should beproperly explained and an appealmay be made against it to Latvian court. Thecompetent authority or contactpoint will provide information
Annex I Information institutions in Latvia regarding the regulated professions and EU professional recognition directives
- general information regarding the EU directives in the field of regulated professions international recognition of diplomas,
- information regarding all these regulated professions for which there is NO specific information institution nominated
Address: Vaļņu iela 2, LV-1050 Riga, Latvia
Telephone: +371-7225155,
Fax: +371-7221006
e-mail:
The cabinet of Ministers has nominated specific information institutions for the following regulated professions:[5]
Transport professions
Road transport
- driver of motor vehicle (except tractor machinery),
- instructor for drivers for theoretical training subjects,
- instructor for drivers for practical training
- inspector of transport technical control
- driver of dangerous freight motor transportation,
- instructor for drivers of motor vehicles with dangerous freight
Address: Miera iela 25, LV – 1001, Riga, Latvia
Telephone +371-7025750
Fax: +371-7828301
e-mail:
- security consultant (advisor) in dangerous freight haulage
- instructor of security consultants (advisors) in dangerous freight haulage
Address: Gogoļa iela 3, Riga, Latvia LV – 1743
Telephone: +371-7028300
Fax: +371-7217180
e-mail:
- driver (administrator) of international freight motor transportation
- driver (administrator) of international passenger motor transportation
- driver (administrator) of inland freight motor transportation
- driver (administrator) of inland passenger motor transportation)
Address: Brīvības 48/50, LV – 1011, Riga, Latvia
Telephone: +371-7280485
Fax: +371-7821107
e-mail:
- driver of tractor machinery
Address: Republikas lauk. 2, LV – 1981,
Riga, Latvia
Telephone:.+371-7027071,
Fax: +371-7325549
e-mail:
Air transport
All the regulated civil aviation and airport professions / Civil Aviation Administration of LatviaAddress: RigaInternational airport, Mārupe, LV – 1053, Latvia
Telephone: +371-7207307; +371-7207787
Marine transport
All the regulated marine transport professions / Latvian Seamen’s registerof the Maritime Administration of Latvia
Address: Trijādības iela 5, LV – 1048,Riga, Latvia,
Telephone +371-7062101, +371-7062152
Fax +371-7860082
Agricultural professions
All the regulated professions in animal husbandry / Ministry of AgricultureAddress Republikas laukums 2, LV – 1981, Riga, Latvia,
Telephone: +371-7027656
Fax: +371-7027250
Annex II Competent authorities in Latvia
a) for the general directives (89/48/EEC and 92/51/EEC)
b) for the sectoraldirectives
(will be completed
upon adoption of the appropriate Reguulation by the Latvian Government
Annex III Contact points for professional recognition in EU/EEA
(for updates please consult
Austria / Directives 89/48, 92/51 and 99/42
Irene Kosnopfl
Abteilung l/4
Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Arbeit
Stubenring 1
A - 1010 VIENNA
Tel.: 43-1-71100.54446
Fax : 43-1-71100.2366
E-mail: / Directives 89/48, 92/51 and 99/42
Margit Möslinger-Gehmayr
Abteilung l/4
Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Arbeit
Stubenring 1
A - 1010 VIENNA
Tel.:43-1-71100.5328
Fax : 43.1.71100.2366
E-mail:
Belgium / (FR)
Chantal KAUFMANN
Directrice générale adjointe
Ministère de la Communauté française
Direction générale de l’enseignement non obligatoire et de la recherche scientifique
C.A.E. - 6ième étage - Bureau 6539
Boulevard Pachéco, 19 - bte 0
B - 1010 BRUXELLES
Tel.: 32-2-210.55.77
Fax : 32-2-210.59.92
E-mail :
Website: / (NL)
Erwin MALFROY
Ministerie van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap
Departement Onderwijs
H. Consciencegebouw, Toren A7
Koning Albert II laan 15
B - 1210 BRUSSEL
Tel: 32-2-553.98.19
Fax: 32-2-533.98.05
E-mail:
Denmark / Morten OVERGAARD CVUU
(The Danish Centre for Assessment of Foreign Qualifications)
Danasvej 30
DK - 1780 KØBENHAVN V
Tel.: 45/33/26.85.32
Fax: 45/33/26.84.91
e-mail: website:
website:
Finland / Carita BLOMQVIST
National Board of Education
P.O. Box 380
SF - 00531 HELSINKI
Tel: 358-9-77.47.71.28
Fax: 358-9-77.47.72.01
E-mail:
France / Joëlle PRUVOST
Ministère de l'Education Nationale, de la recherche et de la technologie
Bureau DRIC B3
Rue de Grenelle 110
F - 75007 PARIS
Tel.: 33-1-55.55.65.90
Fax : 33-1-45.44.57.87
E-mail :
Germany / Dr. Holger Conrad
Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen im Sekretariat der Kultusministerkonferenz (KMK)
Lennéstraße 6
D-53113 Bonn
Tel. +49 (0)228 501 0
Fax +49 (0)228 501 229
E-mail :
Greece / Directive 89/48
Ms Despina Andritsou
Head of Section of Recognition of Professional Qualifications
Ministry of National Education & Religious Affairs
Panepistimiou 67,
GR- 10564 ATHENS
Tel: 00-30-10-3243923
Fax: 00-30-10-3316651
E -mail:
website: / Directive 92/51
Mr Christos Gardiklis
Director of professional rights and degree equivalence
OEEK (Organization for vocational education and training)
Ethnikis Antistaseos 41
GR- 14234N. Ionia, ATHENS
Tel: 00-30-10-2709141
Fax: 00-30-10-2715921
E -mail:
website:
Mr George Mikros
Head of Section of Degree equivalences
OEEK (Organization for vocational education and training)
Ethnikis Antistaseos 41
GR- 14234N. Ionia, ATHENS
Tel: 00-30-10-2709145
Fax: 00-30-10-2715921
E -mail:
website:
Ireland / Mr Sé GOULDING
Department of Education
International Section
Apollo House
IRL - DUBLIN 2
Tel.: 353-1-873.47.00
Fax : 353-1-872.92.93
E-mail :
Italy / Armanda BIANCHI CONTI
Presidenza Consiglio Ministri
Ministerio Coordinamento Politiche Communitarie
Via Giardino Theodoli 66
I - 00186 ROMA
Tel.: 39-06-67.79.53.22
Fax : 39-06-6779.5295/39-06-6991.435
E-mail :
Luxembourg / Jean TAGLIAFERRI
Professeur-attaché
Ministère de l'Education Nationale et de la Formation Professionnelle
Rue Aldringen, 29
L - 2926 LUXEMBOURG
Tel.: +352-487.51.39
Fax : +352-478.51.30
E-mail:
Portugal / Directive 89/48
Manuela PAIVA
Núcleo Pedagógico
Ministério da Educação
Departamento do Ensino superior
Av. Duque d'Ávila, 137 - 4è Esq
P - 1000 LISBOA
Tel.: 351-1-54.60.70
Fax : 351-1-57.96.17
Spain / Félix HAERING PEREZ
Ministerio de Educación y Cultura
Consejeria Tecnica de Títulos de la Unión Europea
Paseo del Prado 28
E - 28014 MADRID
Tel. 34-91-506.56.18
Fax : 34-91-506.57.06
E-mail :
Sweden / Karin DAHL BERGENDORFF
National Agency for Higher Education Box 7851
S - 10399 STOCKHOLM
Tel.: 46-8-56.30.86.63
Fax : 46-8-56.30.86.50
E-mail:
The Netherlands / L.A. DE BRUIN
Informatiescentrum Richtlijn /
Algemeen Stetsel - IRAS
Postbus 29777
NL - 2502 LT DEN HAAG
Tel.: 31-70.426.0390
Fax: 31-70.426.0395
E-mail: / Directive 92/51
Paulina KRIJNEN
COLO
Bredewater 8
Postbus 7259
NL - 2701 AG ZOETERMEER
Tel.: 31-79.352.26.00
Fax: 31-79.351.54.78
United Kingom / Directives 89/48 and 99/42
Mrs Nicola McLAUGHLIN
Department of Trade & Industry
Bay 212
Kingsgate House
66-74, Victoria Street
UK - LONDON SW1
Tel.: 00-44-20-7215-4405
E-mail :
Mrs Marie YOUNG
Department of Trade & Industry
Bay 212
Kingsgate House
66-74, Victoria Street
UK - LONDON SW1
Tel.: 00-44-20-7215-8360
Fax : 00-44-20-7215-4489
E-mail : / Directive 92/51
Mrs. Carol ROWLANDS
Department for Education and Employment
Room E4b
Moorfoot
UK - Sheffield S1 4PQ
Tel.: 44-114-259.41.51
Fax : 44-114-259.44.75
E-mail :
EEA countries
Iceland / Hördur LARUSSON
Ministry of Education
Sölvholsgötu, 4
IS - 150 REYKJAVIK
Tel.: 354-5-60.95.91
Fax : 354-5-62.30.68
E-mail:
Liechtenstein / Hans Peter WALCH
Herrengasse 2
FL - 9490 VADUZ
Liechtenstein
Tel.: 41-75-236.67.58
Fax : 41-75-236.67.71
E-mail:
Norway / Luna LEE SOLHEIM
Senior Executive Officer
Ministry of Education, Research and Church Affairs
P.O. Box 8119
N - 0032 OSLO
Tel.: 00-47-22-24-7923
Fax : 00-47-22-24.27.33
E-mail:
or:
[1] With the exception if professions where the knowledge of legal regulations of the host country is essentaial for th e profession. It is host country’s right to apply aptitude test and not adaptaion [eriod in these cases.