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ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE for NURSES

To be able to work in the Netherlands as a nurse you have to be included in theBIG register. If you have qualified as a nurse outside the EEA or Switzerland, you

cannot register directly. Your qualifications must first be recognized. You will need

to apply for a Declaration of Professional Competence. The Dutch Ministry of

Health, Welfare and Sport issues these declarations on the advice of the Foreign

Health Care Qualifications Commission (CBGV), an independent advisory

commission of health experts.

Assessment

Since 2007, the CBGV assesses professional competence of nurses on the basis of

a set of knowledge and skill tests. This reliable and standardized assessment of

knowledge and skills not only ensures that everyone has the same opportunities,

but also safeguards the quality of the intake of healthcare providers in training

and practice.

The assessment is in Dutch and is divided in two parts.

1. General knowledge and skill testThe assessment procedure begins with an evaluation of the applicants

general knowledge and skills, including command of Dutch and English,

familiarity with the Dutch healthcare system and ICT skills. The

assessment tests do not form an examination as such, with hard and fast

pass or fail results. Rather, the combined result of all assessments

provides a general impression of your current level of knowledge and

skills. The fee for this test is 200.

2. Professional assessmentOnly if your score in the first part of the assessment is acceptable, you will

be invited for the second part, which examines professional knowledge.

This part assesses the candidate on the basis of the entire curriculum for

recently graduated nurses in the Netherlands. This is to ensure that the

level of the candidate is equivalent to that of a nurse trained in the

Netherlands. This is necessary for the inclusion in the BIG register.

For the professional assessment the fee is 400.

The final step in the advisory procedure is often an interview with the candidate

by members of the Foreign Health Care Qualifications Commission (CBGV). The

final decision on applications lies with the health minister, but the CBGVs advice is

often decisive. The cost for the evaluation of the application file is 50.

If the detailed assessment shows that the level of the candidate is not equivalent

to that of a Dutch-trained nurse, it enables specific advice to be given regarding

extra training. In this way, candidates can make specific and effective choices to

ensure that they reach the required level equivalent to that of a Dutch

qualification in Nursing.

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Information about the procedure

Candidates will have to fill out an application form for a Declaration of ProfessionalCompetence by assessment. The following set of documents is required along with

the application form:

- the original of the Diploma/Certificate in Nursing

- the original certificate of registration as a nurse, which certificate should be

recent, not older than 12 months (a certified copy of the certificate will be

accepted)

- the original licence to practice as a nurse, or a letter of good standing to be

issued by the legal authorities in the country of origin of the candidate (a certified

copy of the certificate will be accepted)

- a certified copy of valid passport/identity card.

The documents will need to be translated by a registered interpreter if the original

document is not in Dutch, English, French or German. Copies of the translation will

have to be validated also.

All these documents are essential for the evaluation of the application. Without

these documents the application will not be considered.

The tests are conducted several times a year. Both tests are held in Arnhem, the

Netherlands. The total costs for the assessment procedure are 650.

For the candidate to be successful in the assessment, the command of Dutch

needs to be almost fluent, at least the level of NT II level 2 (Dutch as a second

language level 2). The assessment procedure is completely in Dutch.