Does a job seeker or my employee who has completed a qualification abroad need a decision on the recognition of the qualification? Why do my employees have different decisions issued by the Finnish National Agency for Education? If the decision provides teacher’s eligibility in early childhood education and care, is it stated in the decision? You will find answers to these and other similar questions on this page.
Kuvituskuvassa kädet, jotka kättelevät
Photo: Hanna Anttila

 

 

When does the employee need a decision on the recognition of the qualification?

In most cases, you can assess yourself whether the job seeker who has completed a qualification abroad is qualified.

The recognition decision is necessary in two situations:

1. The profession is regulated. Go to Additional Information
2. The statutory requirement for the post or the position is a Finnish higher education degree of a certain level. Go to Additional Information

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Applying for the decision on the recognition of the qualification

The decision on the recognition of the qualification is always applied for by the qualification holder. The instructions for the payment will also be sent to the qualification holder. 

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Advice and guidance

We provide advice and guidance in Finnish, Swedish and English on our website and by email. 

An electronic service guide provides advice and guidance for the initial stage. For example, it helps you to determine whether the person needs a recognition decision and whether the decision will be made by the Finnish National Agency for Education or some other authority.  

On our website For guidance purposes, we have compiled links to information that supports guidance and competence assessment. On our website, there is also information on the education systems of different countries. This material may be of use to you when you need to assess the qualification and competence provided by your employee’s foreign qualification. 

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About the Finnish National Agency for Education’s decisions

The decision made by the Finnish National Agency for Education is always personal. 

We issue decisions based on different laws so your employees may have different decisions.

Which law we base our decision on depends on the country in which the degree was completed, the applicant’s citizenship and whether the applicant is qualified for the profession in the country in which the qualification was completed. For example, we apply a law based on an EU directive when recognising the professional qualifications acquired by an EU citizen in another EU country.

Decisions are formulated according to the qualification requirements

We formulate our decisions according to the qualification requirements.

If the decision concerns eligibility for a teaching post, we use the same formulations as the Teaching qualifications decree. If the decision concerns eligibility for a post in early childhood education and care, we use the same formulations as the Act on early childhood education and care.

About additional requirements

If the decision concerns eligibility for a profession, it may contain additional requirements.

The additional requirements may be studies, an adaptation period or an aptitude test.
If the applicant must apply to the Finnish National Agency for Education for a final decision after having completed the additional requirement, this will be stated in the decision. Otherwise the applicant can prove his or her eligibility with a conditional decision and a certificate of completion of the studies, adaptation period or aptitude test. 
If the decision includes additional requirements, instructions for completing them will be sent to the applicant together with the decision.

The decision provides eligibility in terms of the required education

The decision provides eligibility for the position in terms of the education required. For example, if there are language proficiency or work experience requirements for the position, fulfilling them must be proved separately. 

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Completion of the adaptation period

If the employee wants to complete the adaptation period in your employment, read the conditions of the decision carefully. The length of the adaptation period and the position in which it has to be completed will be stated in the decision. The decision will also state whether the instructor during the adaptation period needs certain qualifications. 

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Occupation-specific information

Here, we have compiled links to occupation-specific material on the recognition of qualifications.  

Teachers

We have published a guide particularly for specialists. The guide describes the process of qualifying as a teacher on the basis of a foreign degree. The guide also contains examples.

The diagram describes qualifying as a teacher in different situations.

Also familiarise yourself with the website targeted at private customers.

Posts in early childhood education and care (ECEC)

Positions requiring a degree in law

Positions in rescue services

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