Professional recognition
Step 1 Make sure the Act on Recognition of Professional Qualification and Other Competence applies to you
Who is subject to the Act on Recognition of Professional Qualification (To Whom the Act may apply)?
The Act on Recognition of Professional Qualification applies to:
1. nationals of member states of European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss Confederation and their family members
2. foreign nationals who may permanently reside in the territory of the Czech Republic based on a permit for permanent residence and their family members
3. Third Country Nationals (TCN) who may permanently reside in the EEA, Swiss Confederation of EU member states or have a permit for residence for the purpose of scientific research and their family members with a permit for a long-term residence
4. foreign nationals who may permanently reside in the territory of the Czech Republic based on a decision awarding asylum or a subsidiary protection
5. Third Country Nationals who may reside in the territory of the Czech Republic or other member state of EU based on a permit for residence for purpose of study, study exchange, unremunerated training or voluntary service.
6. third country nationals who are victims of human trafficking in human beings or have been the subject of an action to facilitate illegal immigration and have been granted residence in the territory of the Czech Republic or other member state of EU for this purpose
7. holders of a blue card that obtained their qualification in EU member state
Step 2 Find out the requirements for recognition of your professional qualification
What are requirements for the performance of your profession?
The requirements for the performance of your profession can be found in the directory of regulated professions provided by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. Each profession in the directory also cites the relevant recognition authority which may be contacted in case of uncertainty and doubt.
Step 3 Make sure you have all required documents
Which documents do I need to submit with the application for recognition of my professional qualification?
1. Completed application form
The application form can be found in the directory of regulated professions after opening the webpage of your profession. It is always situated at the end of the page. The application can also be found on the website of the Ministry of Education .
The application form contains a list of required documents that you need to submit with the application. The form is universal for all professions. Requirements vary for each profession. You will submit only those documents related to your profession which are listed under your profession in the database/directory of regulated professions. (For example, medical fitness is not required for some professions, in other cases you need to prove your formal secondary education and do not need to prove professional experience, and in the case of some professions, you are supposed to prove your professional experience etc.).
2. document of professional qualification or its certified copy
The document can be in the form of a certificate, diploma or document of professional experience. If you submit a certificate or diploma, you also always need to submit a document which provides a discription of the curriculum, i.e. the courses you completed. Such a document could be, for example, the Diploma Supplement. The document of professional experience has no prescribed form.
What should the document of professional experience look like?
The document of completed professional experience doesn't have a prescribed form. It has to be a document issued by an employer which contains the name of the regulated profession, length of professional experience in the regulated profession, position in which you performed the profession, and a list of duties you performed should be included. If you performed a regulated trade as an individual, the professional experience may be proved by completed projects. The length of the period when you were performing as a self-employed person.
If you don't submit the original document, you need to submit its authorized copy.
Official authorization is not necessary if there is the possibility of authorization by the system of administrative cooperation (IMI system).
Which documents can be authorized by administrative cooperation (IMI system)?
Documents of professional qualification gained/obtained in EU states can be authorized by IMI system.
3. Translation of documents of professional qualification
The documents need to be translated into Czech. The translation need not be prepared by the court translator. If the recognition authority expresses certain doubts as to the authenticity of the translation and the establishment of formal validity is not possible through the IMI system, another version prepared by the court translator may be required.
4. Identity document copy
A copy of an identity document needs to be submitted. The recognition authority may request the submission of the original identity document for consultation on the spot.
5. The proof of administration fee payment
The administration fee is 2000 CZK. If the recognition is provided by a professional association or chamber, then the amount of the fee is set by this professional chamber. The administration fee can be paid in the form of a tax stamp which is available at any of the Czech Post-office (Česká pošta) branches.
Step 4 Submit your application
Where do I submit my application for recognition of professional qualification?
The application with all required documents needs to be submitted to the recognition authority. The recognition authority for your profession is indicated in the directory of regulated professions (associated with your regulated profession). You can also submit your application to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. Generally we recommend to submit directly to the recognition authority. If the submission of your application is to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports the execution of your request may be prolonged due to the transferring of your application from the Ministry of Education to the recognition authority.
Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports
Center for Recognition of Professional Qualifications
Karmelitská 7, 118 12 Praha 1
tel.: +420 234 811 376, tel.: +420 234 811 579
e-mail: qualifications@msmt.cz
www.msmt.cz
Step 5 Wait for the execution of your request
How long is the period for processing the recognition request?
After the submission of all required documents to the recognition authority, the time period begins to run provided that the recognition authority doesn't find any shortcomings.The period given by law for processing the request is 60 days. In difficult and complex cases, the period can be extended to 90 days.
Step 6 Proceeding the request
During the 60 day period of processing your request the recognition authority asses the compatibility of your professional qualification with the qualification required in the Czech Republic.
Automatic recognition
If you apply for recognition of professional qualification in so-called sector professions, your qualification will not be compared but recognized automatically.
What are the sector professions and when might my qualification will be recognized automatically?
Sector professions:
lawyer
auditor
architect
doctor, dental practitioner, pharmacist
nurse responsible for general care and midwife
veterinary surgeon
When performing in the area of the sector profession, your professional qualification will be recognized if you are authorized to practice a sector profession in EU member states, EEA or Swiss Confederation and if you began your study later then the reference date indicated in the Directive 2005/36/ES. Reference dates may vary according to type of profession and country. A specific reference date for your profession is indicated in Annex V of the Directive 2005/36/ES.
If you began your study before the reference date but completed your study after this date and performed your profession for at least 3 consecutive years during the 5 years prior to the date of issue of the certificate of professional experience, your qualification will also be recognized automatically.
What may be the result of your request for recognition of professional qualification?
Your request may get:
1. Positive declaration decision
If the difference between your qualification and the qualification required for performing your profession in the Czech Republic is not essential, your qualification will be recognized.
You will receive the decision on recognition of professional qualification in writing.
The decision can be used only for the performance of profession. It does not approve you toward entering a follow-up study program. It also doesn't entitle you to use Czech academic titles (corresponding to the recognized qualification).
2. Compensatory measures may be ordered
If the recognition authority identifies significant differences between your qualification and the qualification required for performance of your profession in the Czech Republic, the authority may order compensatory measures. As such, significant differences could be that courses that are included in the Czech study program were absent from your curriculum or that your study program was shorter then the corresponding program in the Czech Republic, etc. The aim of these measures is to complete your qualification to be equal with the qualification required in the Czech Republic.
You can choose from 2 options to complete your qualification
1. Passing an aptitude test
What is an aptitude test?
An aptitude test usually consists of an oral part and a written part of an examination. It focuses on checking the competence of performance of the profession. The exam is held in front of the recognition authority at the universtity or at the institution specialized in the certain area. Usually the exam is given in the Czech language. The Directive 2005/36/ES by which the recognition of professional qualification is governed doesn't specify the language in which the examination shall be performed. There is a charge for the examination. The amount of the fee is not fixed but it must not exceed 5000 CZK.
2. Complete an adaptation period
What is an adaptation period
An adaptation period is such a period when you will perform your profession under the supervision of an expert. It may also include the completion of education. The lenghth and content of the adaptation period is specified by the recognition authority. the adaptation period should not exceed 3 years. The certificate of a completed adaptation period is issued by the employer.
3. Negative declaration decision
If the difference between your qualification and the qualification required in the Czech Republic is significant, the recognition authority will not recognize your qualification.
What shall I do when my request is rejected?
Against the decision issued by a central administrative body such as a central recognition authority, an appeal may be submitted within 15 days of the announcement of the decision
Where do I submit the appeal?
The appeal has to be submitted to the appeal authority which is specified in the directory of regulated professions (under the name of your profession). The minister or the head of the appeal administration authority hears the appeal, considering the opinion of a special commission,
How long is the period for processing an appeal?
Your appeal must be executed within 30 days of submission. In difficult cases when other actors need to be summoned or expertise to be prepared, the period may be extended to 60 days.
What to do when my request is rejected after the appeal
In such situation you have no other choice then to obtain the qualification in the Czech Republic.