Professional practice rights

National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) grants, upon application, the right to practice as a licenced or authorised professional and authorises the use of the occupational title of healthcare professional.

Valvira applications and issues decisions on the above matters, also in cases where training has been undertaken outside of Finland.

A person practicing as a healthcare professional in Finland without a licence may be sentenced to a fine or imprisonment.

Health care professionals

Licenced professionals

Under Finnish law, licensing is granted to the following professions: physician, dentist, pharmacist, psychologist, speech therapist, dietician, dispenser, nurse, midwife, public health nurse, physiotherapist, medical laboratory technologist, radiographer, dental hygienist, occupational therapist, optician and dental technician (17 titles in total).

The practice of these professions is restricted to licenced professionals only.

Licensing is granted, upon application, by the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health.

Authorised professionals

National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health may grant an authorisation to practice to nationals of countries outside the EU/EEA and who have obtained their qualifications in a country outside of the EU/EEA.

The authorisation is valid for a fixed period of time and may be restricted to a specific place of employment.

Protected occupational titles

The protected occupational titles as defined in the Decree on Health Care professionals are: orthopaedic technician, podiatrist, trained masseur, chiropractor, naprapath, osteopath, practical nurse for social and health care, psychotherapist, hospital physicist, hospital geneticist, hospital chemist, hospital microbiologist and hospital cell biologist (13 titles).

In addition, the titles of assistant nurse, dental assistant, chiropodist, trained chiropractor, trained naprapath, trained osteopath, physiotherapy assistant, children’s nurse, hospital and ambulance attendant, practical mental nurse, practical psychiatric nurse and practical nurse are defined as healthcare professionals under Finnish legislation.

The professions with protected occupational titles may also be practised by those who possess the required training, experience and professional skills and knowledge. However, they are not entitled to use the protected occupational title.

Professionals entitled to use a protected occupational title will be entered into the central register of health care professionals maintained by the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health.

Relevant legislation

Act on Health Care Professionals (559/1994)
http://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1994/en19940559

Decree on Health Care Professionals (564/1994)
http://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1994/en19940564