Checklist before you apply for authorisation of foreign qualifications

Before starting your application, it is important to read the application information on The Directorate for Higher Education and Skills' (HK-dir) website, so that the submitted application is complete. This can be important in regard to case processing times. It is recommended that you apply using a PC/Mac, not from a mobile telephone or tablet.

Recognition of foreign education

A recognition of foreign education can be useful for easier access to the Norwegian labor market, but it is not a requirement unless you will practice a legally regulated profession.

For most professions, no special authorisation is required in order to work in Norway. It is the employer that decides whether the type and scope of qualifications is sufficient to perform the job.

The Directorate for Higher Education and Skills has several recognition schemes for foreign education.They compare your foreign education with Norwegian higher education degrees, such as bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees. However, they do not evaluate the specific academic content of the education.

For more detailed information, you can visit their official website.

Automatic recognition

For a more speedy alternative to the ordinary recognition scheme for recognition of higher education, HK-dir have something called automatic recognition available for certain countries. This is not a personal decision, but rather an information letter that says something about how certain degrees from selected countries are normally assessed.

Recognition of higher vocational education

If you would like recognition of your higher vocational education from a foreign country, The Directorate for Higher Education and Skills can assess the scope and level of the education. They do not assess the academic content of the education. 

In Norway, higher vocational education builds upon prior vocational education programs. For example, if you have a certificate of apprenticeship as a health worker, you can enroll in a vocational education program within dementia. If you have a journeyman's license within carpentry, you can enroll in a vocational education program within moisture management.

Professional authorisation

Authorisation may be required in order to practice a profession in Norway. The Directorate of Higher Education and Skills is the assisting entity in Norway for the authorisation of professional qualifications regulated by the directive. They offer guidelines regarding the contents of the directive, Norwegian legislation and regulated professions.

Regulated professions

If a profession is legally regulated, it means that you will neet to fulfil certain criteria to practice the profession in Norway.

There are 18 authorisation bodies in Norway and over 180 professions that require authorisation to practice the profession.

The professional must apply for authorisation from the relevant authorisation body to practice the profession.

Examples of professions that require authorisation are health professions such as doctor, nurse, health worker and dentist, which require authorisation from the Directorate of Health.