Healthcare

Adaptation period and aptitude test

Additional measures

If there are significant differences between the applicant’s qualification and the Finnish qualification, Valvira will issue a certificate of conditional recognition of professional qualification. The certificate of conditional recognition will specify the additional measures required to compensate for the differences. Additional measures include an aptitude test and an adaptation period. The applicant cannot be licensed to practise their profession until the additional measure specified has been acceptably completed. The applicant will need to reapply for a licence once they have completed the additional measure.

Aptitude test

The purpose of the aptitude test is to gauge the applicant’s professional competence and ability to practise their profession in Finland. The test is organised by a Finnish educational institution that offers the degree course in question. The educational institution will charge a fee for administering the test. More information about the charge is available from the relevant educational institution. The principal content of the test and the body administering the test will be specified in Valvira’s decision on conditional recognition.

Adaptation period

During the adaptation period, the applicant works under the guidance and supervision of another professional. The applicant will be directly employed by the body maintaining the health care unit in question. The adaptation period may include complementary training in the form of formal complementary training provided by the employer or as learning on the job. The applicant must personally find a placement for the adaptation period. The employer may pay the applicant a wage for the duration of the adaptation period.

Valvira will determine the length of the adaptation period and the positions available to the applicant in the decision on conditional recognition. The duties included in the adaptation period must be performed in Finnish or Swedish. The employer is responsible for ensuring that the applicant has good enough language skills to successfully perform their duties before the adaptation period begins.

The applicant and the employer will sign an agreement concerning the adaptation period and seek Valvira’s approval for the agreement. By signing the adaptation period agreement, the employer and the supervisor agree to ensure that the conditions imposed in the agreement can be acceptably fulfilled during the adaptation period. If the adaptation period consists of multiple segments at different units or under different supervisors, a separate agreement must be signed for each segment.

The supervisor must monitor, guide and oversee the applicant’s performance during the adaptation period and address any weaknesses immediately. The supervisor must be licensed to practise the profession in question in Finland and have at least five years of work experience. The supervisor will evaluate the applicant’s performance and give their opinion on the applicant’s competence and ability to practise their profession to Valvira at the end of the adaptation period. The supervisor must mention in their opinion if any significant differences or shortcomings in training were not acceptably rectified during the adaptation period.

If there is a risk to patient safety resulting from the applicant’s actions during the adaptation period, the supervisor must notify Valvira immediately. Valvira may order that the adaptation period be discontinued. The supervisor must give an opinion on the applicant’s performance even if their adaptation period was discontinued either by the applicant or by Valvira.

The applicant may not begin the adaptation period until they have sufficient language skills to perform the required tasks and a registration certificate issued by Valvira.

To register, the applicant will need:

a certificate of conditional recognition and
an adaptation period agreement if the applicant was trained in another EU/EEA Member State. The agreement must be signed by both the applicant and the employer and submitted to Valvira no later than three weeks before the adaptation period is due to begin.

Adaptation period agreement form (pdf in Finnish)

Adaptation period agreement form (pdf in Swedish)

Reapplying for a licence to practise a profession after completing an additional measure

Once you have acceptably completed the additional measure specified in your certificate of conditional recognition, you can reapply for a licence to practise your profession.

Fill in the application form (Application form (PDF)). You can also write your application in your own words. If you decide not to use the form, make sure to include the name of the profession that you wish to practise as well as your own name and contact details in your application.
Enclose with your application evidence of the acceptable completion of the additional measure specified in your certificate of conditional recognition.

If necessary, Valvira may request further evidence or check that you have sufficient language skills (Finnish or Swedish).