Professional recognition
in the European Union

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has been supported by:   

Council
 of Europe

ACE professional section of the EAIE

                                   

As of  October, 2007 the professional recognition in the European Union will be regulated by the new directive 2005/36/EC that was adopted in 2005.

The new directive will replace all the previous directives concerning the professional recognition.With the introduction of the new directive the recognition system has been simplified but the main principles do not change.

The two main subsystems  of professional recognition remain:

General system for the recognition of evidence of training is still there and is regulated by the Chapter III (articles 10-20) of the Directive 2005/36/EEC

The former system of "sectoral directives" is now called "Recognition on the basis of coordination of minimum training conditions" and is covered by the Chapter IV (articles 21-49) of the Directive 2005/36/EEC

The explanations below have been written some time ago. The principles are still valid but one must keep in mind that all the directives mentioned below have now been integrated into the text of the Directive 2005/36/EEC

Introduction - what is the General system for recognition and
   which professions have Sectoral directives?

   Sectoral directives
   General  system directives
   Guide for users  of the General system of recognition
   Code of conduct approved by the group of coordinators
   for the general   system of recognition of diplomas

Measures to simplify the EU system of recognition of qualifications:

• Explanatory text on the impact of SLIM directive and the Proposed new directive

• Directive 2001/19/EC (SLIM directive) amending General and Sectoral directives

• Proposal for a new directive (to join both systems)  

Some other EU directives  concerning professional recognition

More information about Recognition of qualifications in the EU

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction - what is the General system for recognition and
which professions have Sectoral directives?

I Sectoral directives

For some of the regulated professions  - those of doctor, dentist, pharmacist, nurse of general care, midwife, veterinary surgeon, architect and lawyer -recognition of a professional coming from an EU member state in other EU member states is regulated by the  EU sectoral directives that are individual for each of the professions
See sectoral directives

II.General  system for recognition

is established for all the other regulated professions.
General recognition system differs according to the education
required for the profession in question:

- higher education studies of at least 3 years duration  
- education and training below 3 years of HE studies
- mainly professional experience (no formal education)

For information/ assistance at recognition of a foreign credential  contact:

 - Academic recognition 

If there is a need for more information at  assessment a foreign credential, it is possible to contact either:

• the recognition information centre in the country where the credential has been  issued;

• the recognition information centre in your own country (it will most probably know how to find the information)

For contact details of these centres see 

        ENIC-NARIC website (Centres in the European countries  plus  Australia, Canada,
        Israel, New Zealand, USA)

 - Professional recognition 

If the question concerns professional recognition in the EU, EEA and accession countries, the information should be sought at:

Contact points for professional recognition in the EU Member States

For more links to useful information sources see  Links sub-page

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