Recognition of professional qualifications

Recognition of professional qualifications means that we accept the training completed by an individual as adequate. Recognition of professional qualifications may be awarded to a citizen of an EU or EEA Member State, or a person of comparable status, having completed their training in an EU or EEA Member State. Recognition of professional qualifications does not automatically entitle you to practise your profession or to use a protected professional title in Finland. Recognition of professional qualifications may be awarded even if you have not demonstrated adequate language proficiency (Finnish or Swedish).

If you do not have a certificate of adequate language proficiency, the process is divided into two parts:

1.    Recognition of professional qualifications

2.    Granting of the right to practise a profession or of the right to use a protected professional title

Applying for the right to practise when Valvira has already recognised your professional qualifications

Application form (pdf)

You may also submit a freeform application indicating in which profession you are applying for the right to practise. Also include your name and your contact details for managing the matter.

Application attachment:

1)    Certificate of language proficiency.

a)    Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate or National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI), issued in Finland. For the Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate, the requirement is at least ‘Satisfactory skills’ in all skills areas; for the National Certificate of Language Proficiency, the requirement is at least the intermediate level test (levels 3–4) in all skills areas.

OR

b)    Leaving certificate/diploma of the education completed in Finnish or in Swedish, on a second stage educational institution. The second stage educational institution is an institution intended for post primary studies (for example vocational school and upper secondary school).

OR

c)    Other report in respect of language proficiency (e.g. statement on language proficiency from an employer), which Valvira will assess on a case-by-case basis.

Valvira may request further explanations as necessary.