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.

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

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.

If you would like recognition of your higher education from a foreign country, The Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) can assess the scope and level of the education. HK-dir compares the education from the foreign country to Norwegian higher education - for example a Norwegian bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree. They do not assess the academic content of the education.

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.

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.

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 fulfill 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.

If you are a teacher or kindergarten teacher, you will need to apply for authorisation from the Directorate of Higher Education and Skills. (Page only available in Norwegian).

Other professions
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.

Examples of professions that are not regulated:

• Engineer
• Librarian
• Economist
• Joiner
• Painter
• Skin care therapist

Tools used for guidance
An overview of authorisation bodies, professions and industries can be found on The Directorate of Higher Education and Skills's website.

• Overview of industries with legally regulated professions. (Page only available in Norwegian)
• See the list of legally regulated professions to check if you need authorisation and to find the correct authorisation body. (Page only available in Norwegian)
• Application forms are available at: altinn.no

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.
Application information is available at: hkdir.no

Checklist before you apply for authorisation of foreign education

• Login: Log in with an electronic ID or e-mail address. Remember to use the same log-in method each time you log in.
• Country-specific documentation requirements: Find the study country and check whether stamps are required and/or whether HK-dir requires education documents to be sent directly from the school/university.
• Consent: If a third party wishes to contact the Directorate about the application, make sure the applicant provides information about consent under «other information» in the application form.
• General documentation requirements:

Certificates with grade transcripts

Certificates of completed further education

ID (when registering without electronic ID)

Name changes (if applicable), e.g. marriage certificate, divorce decree

• Translations: HK-dir accepts translations from authorised translation agencies. Check documentation requirements for specific standards for translations.
• Authorisation of regulated professions: An overview of authorisation bodies, professions and industries can be found on The Directorate of Higher Education and Skills's website.

Tools used for guidance

• Overview of industries with legally regulated professions. (Page only available in Norwegian)
• See the list of legally regulated professions to check if you need authorisation and to find the correct authorisation body. (Page only available in Norwegian)
• An application form is available at: altinn.no