Recognition of foreign professional qualification in the Czech Republic
The recognition of foreign professional qualification to work in a regulated profession has a specific procedure as it follows the Act No. 18/2004 Coll., on the recognition of professional qualifications (hereinafter as the “Act on professional qualifications“). A regulated profession is a profession that can be exercised only by people with specific education or experience. You can find a list of regulated professions here. Some examples are a general nurse, heavy machinery operator, physiotherapist etc.
Scope of regulation
The process outlined in the Act on professional qualifications will apply only to citizens of the Member States of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland and their family members; persons with permanent residence in the Czech Republic and their family members; third-country nationals who are long-term residents of the EEA, Switzerland or the EU or reside in an EU country for scientific research and their long-term family members with some other exceptions.
Recognition process
The most significant difference from a recognition of education is the recognising authority. According to the Act on professional qualifications all applications are processed by the Centre for the Recognition of Professional Qualifications under the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (Centrum pro uznávání odborných kvalifikací Ministerstva školství, mládeže a tělovýchovy). They evaluate your application containing evidence of professional qualifications and issue either an approval or a rejection. In case of rejection, you have 15 days to appeal. The recognising authority may also order “compensatory measures”, which usually take the form of an additional exam or a mandatory adaptation period.
Automatic recognition of sectoral professions
The Act on professional qualification stipulates that the so-called sectoral professions will be recognised immediately without comparison to the Czech equivalent. The sectoral professions are an attorney, an auditor, an architect, a doctor, a dentist and a pharmacist, a general nurse and a midwife, and a veterinarian doctor.
Third country applicants
In case you are not covered by the Act on professional education, you still can apply for recognition of your professional qualification. You have to comply with the requirements specified in the list of regulated professions (mentioned above) and contact each profession’s specific authority. In case that you, you have to follow the steps outlined in the article on recognition of foreign education “here“.
Conclusion
The recognition of foreign professional qualification is crucial for expats wanting to work in regulated professions in the Czech Republic. The process is significantly easier for those covered by the Act on professional qualification but not impossible for individuals from third countries.
Should you have any question, do not hesitate to contact our law firm or seek assistance with the process of recognition of your professional qualification.
JUDr. Monika Rutland, partner
rutland & partners, law firm
tel: +420 226 226 026
email: monika.rutland@rutlands.cz
