Application for authorization

Published

08.12.2023

Veterinarian

If you have completed your veterinary education at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), you will generally be granted authorization. This is regulated by the Animal Health Personnel Act.

If you have obtained your veterinary education in an EEA country, you may also be eligible for authorization. One of the requirements is that you are a citizen of an EEA country. Please note that a request may be sent to IMI (European Commission Internal Market Information System) for verification. This is regulated by the Regulation on Animal Health Personnel.

If you have obtained your veterinary education in a country outside the EEA, you may be granted authorization if your education is assessed to be of the same academic standard as the education from NMBU. This is regulated by the Animal Health Personnel Act.

Applicants with veterinary education from countries outside the EEA are often required to complete additional education at NMBU before they can be granted authorization in Norway.

You apply via Altinn - Authorisation of veterinarian

Attachments to the Application:

• Diploma and transcript from the educational institution clearly showing that sufficient education has been completed. If applicable, also include a certificate of qualification or authorization document issued by a competent public authority.
• Documentation showing date of birth and national identity number, any name changes, and citizenship.
• If more than one year has passed since you completed your education, you must include a "Certificate of Current Professional Status" from the competent authority in your home country. This certificate must not be older than three months.
• If you have obtained your qualification in countries outside the EU/EEA, you must also include:
• A description of the various subjects in your training, the scope of these subjects and any relevant work experience, translated into English or Norwegian.
• A statement from the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills | HK-dir: Recognition of foreign higher education (hkdir.no).

Aqua medicine biologist

To work as a fish health biologist in Norway, you must be authorized by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet). The requirements for authorization depend on where you obtained your education.

If you have completed your education as a fish health biologist at the University of Bergen or The Arctic University of Norway, you will generally be granted authorization. This is regulated by the Animal Health Personnel Act.

If you have obtained your education in fish health biology in an EEA country, you may be eligible for authorization. One of the requirements is that you are a citizen of an EEA country. This is regulated by the Regulation on Animal Health Personnel.

If you have obtained your education in fish health biology outside the EEA, you may be granted authorization if your education is assessed to be of the same academic standard as the Norwegian education. This is regulated by the Animal Health Personnel Act.

You apply via  Altinn - Authorisation of aqua medicine biologist

Attachments to the application:

• Diploma and transcript from your educational institution, clearly showing that sufficient education has been completed. If applicable, also include a certificate of qualification or authorization document issued by a competent public authority.
• Proof of identity, including documentation showing your date of birth and national identity number, any name changes, and your citizenship.
• If more than one year has passed since you completed your education, you must include a Certificate of Current Professional Status from the competent authority in your home country. This certificate must not be older than three months.
• You can apply for authorization by submitting your application and required documentation through our digital application portal. If you have questions about the process or need assistance, please contact us.

Veterinary nurse

If you have completed your education as an animal nurse at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) or Nord University, you will generally be granted authorization. This is regulated by the Regulation on Animal Nurses.

If you have obtained your education as an animal nurse in an EEA country, you may be eligible for authorization. One of the requirements is that you are a citizen of an EEA country. If your qualification does not meet the requirements set out in the regulation, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) may decide that you must complete an aptitude test or adaptation period in order to be granted authorization. This is regulated by the Regulation on Animal Health Personnel.

If you have obtained your education as an animal nurse in a country outside the EEA, you may be granted authorization if your education is assessed to be of the same academic standard as the Norwegian education. This is regulated by both the Regulation on Animal Nurses and the Regulation on Animal Health Personnel.

You apply via Altinn - Authorisation of veterinary nurses.

Attachements to The Application:

• Diploma and transcript from the educational institution clearly showing that sufficient education has been completed. If applicable, also include a certificate of qualification or authorization document issued by a competent public authority.
• Documentation showing date of birth and national identity number, any name changes, and citizenship

If you completed your education outside of Norway (excluding Denmark), you must also include:

• A description of the various subjects and the scope of the subjects in your education, and any relevant work experience, translated into English or Norwegian.
• A statement from the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills | HK-dir: Recognition of foreign higher education (hkdir.no).

This page is part of this guidance:

• Animal health staff: Authorization and licence