Authorisation of professions in Norway
The Nordic region has an open educational and labour market. Nordic agreements guarantee that you can follow an educational programme and take a degree at educational institutions in the other Nordic countries. The authorities work to ensure mutual recognition of degrees, partial level qualifications, or other certicates showing results, so that you can apply for jobs throughout the Nordic region.
In Norway, some professions are regulated by law, and require authorisation to practice them. The link below contains a list of the most common regulated professions in Norway, and information about which public agency gives the special authorisation.
The Norwegian Directorate of Health (Helsedirektoratet) is responsible for authorising regulated professions in the health sector, such as doctor, psychologist, nurse, physiotherapist, pharmacist, bioengineer, and health worker.
The Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training (Utdanningsdirektoratet) is responsible for evaluating professional qualifications of teachers and kindergarten teachers with education from abroad.
The Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway (Finanstilsynet) is responsible for approving state authorised auditors, registered auditors, authorised accountants, real estate agents and holders of debt recovery permits.
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) authorises veterinary surgeons, aqua medicine biologists, and veterinary nurses.
The Supervisory Council for Legal Practice (Tilsynsrådet for advokatvirksomhet) issues licences to practice law, authorises trainee lawyers, and issues permits for various legal aid representatives and legal aid activities.
The Norwegian Maritime Authority (Sjøfartsdirektoratet) certifies seafarers in Norway.
The Civil Aviation Authority - Norway (Luftfartstilsynet) issues licenses for aviation work.
The Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (Direktoratet for samfunnssikkerhet og beredskap, DSB) authorises electrical professionals.
Please fill in our contact form if you have any questions or if you have encountered an obstacle in another Nordic country.
NB! If you have questions regarding the processing of a specific case or application, or other personal matters, please contact the relevant authority directly.
