Status of healthcare and social welfare professionals educated abroad

Finnish Supervisory Agency grants the right to practise a social welfare or healthcare profession on application to professionals trained in Finland and abroad. Persons who have obtained a social welfare or health care qualification in a country other than Finland can apply to Finnish Supervisory Agency for the right to practise their profession. In such cases, Finnish Supervisory Agency may order the applicant to complete additional studies or compensatory measures according to individual needs. This means that the applicant does not have to redo their entire qualification in Finland but gets credit for their previous studies.

In the case of applicants who have obtained their qualification in a country other than Finland, Finnish Supervisory Agency must first establish whether the applicant’s qualification corresponds to the Finnish equivalent. The assessment factors in not only the applicant’s qualification but also any work experience and/or continuing education or supplementary training. Finnish Supervisory Agency may request an expert opinion on the applicant’s professional competence. If the applicant’s qualification corresponds to the Finnish equivalent, Finnish Supervisory Agency may stipulate that the applicant complete additional studies or compensatory measures.

If Finnish Supervisory Agency’s conclusion is that the applicant’s qualification does not correspond to the Finnish equivalent, Finnish Supervisory Agency cannot authorise the applicant to practise their profession even if they complete additional studies. In such cases, the applicant will be advised to contact educational institutions to enquire about the possibilities of obtaining a Finnish qualification.

Obtaining a Finnish qualification instead

Persons who have obtained a qualification in a country other than Finland can also apply to study for a qualification in Finland. In such cases, the educational institution may give the applicant credit for their previous studies. The educational institution will first need to check that the applicant has in fact completed the studies for which they want credit. Once in possession of a Finnish qualification, the applicant can request the right to practise their profession on that basis.

Practical skills assessment 

Finnish Supervisory Agency makes its decisions based on documentation. In some cases, educational institutions may choose to examine an applicant’s competence more comprehensively. This can be particularly useful in professions where skills can be demonstrated in a tangible way, such as in the case of a Trained Masseur or a Practical Nurse. 

Working in the health care sector while completing additional studies to meet Finnish Supervisory Agency’s requirements

Persons who have obtained their qualification outside the EU/EEA and who are completing additional studies or training to meet Finnish Supervisory Agency’s requirements do not have the right to work temporarily in the legalised profession towards which they are studying. However, duties in social welfare and health care positions that are subject to a protected occupational title may also be performed by professionals who have not registered a protected occupational title. When an employer hires a person to work as a professional under a protected occupational title, it is the employer’s responsibility to ascertain that the person hired is competent to undertake those duties.

Contact information

E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: +358 295 256  932 (Monday–Friday 9:00–15:00)