Professional recognition

Any national of a Member State of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland has the right to work, to seek work, to set up business or to provide services in any other Member State.

Directive 2005/36 is in place to aid mobility between Member States of the EU, EEA and Switzerland. This directive applies to regulated professions including sectoral and general systems. The Directive works on the principle that a qualified professional in one Member State is qualified to exercise the same profession in another Member State.

The basic principle of the directive is the recognition of a foreign qualification, but every host country has the right to implement the necessary regulations and procedures to reach that goal. There is a great need for professional recognition, since the requirements for the same profession in different countries may vary. In the case of significant differences there is the possibility to implement compensation mechanisms, for example, an aptitude test or an adaptation period, which enable an assessment of the knowledge, skills and abilities of the applicant for working in a regulated profession.

In order to work in a regulated profession with foreign qualifications one must apply for the recognition of these qualifications by a competent authority. Information about regulated professions, competent authorities and application procedures, etc., in a certain country is provided by contact points. The Estonian ENIC/NARIC serves as an assistance centre that provides information about recognition of professional qualifications.

National contact points for professional recognition in the EU member states, the EEA countries and Switzerland

Recognition of professional qualifications in Estonia

The aim of the Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications Act entered into force on 1 January 2001 is to promote the free movement of people and to guarantee that professional education and work experience obtained abroad is recognised in Estonia. Professional recognition is a procedure that enables a person with a foreign professional qualification to be admitted to a regulated profession or professional activity in Estonia. The system of professional recognition is not only valuable for foreigners, but also for Estonians, who have studied or worked in a foreign country.

TRANSPORTATION PROFESSIONS 

Authorised traffic controller Liikluse reguleerija
Examiner of drivers of power-driven vehicles Mootorsõidukijuhi eksamineerija
Driving instructor Mootorsõidukijuhi õpetaja
Inspector of roadworthiness of power-driven vehicles and their trailers Mootorsõiduki ja selle haagise tehnonõuetele vastavuse kontrollija
Tram driver Trammijuht
Inspector of the roadworthiness of trolleybuses Trolli tehnonõuetele vastavuse kontrollija
Safety advisor for the transport of dangerous chemicals by road, rail or inland waterway Ohutusnõunik autovedudel, raudteevedudel ja siseveeteede vedudel
Driver of special railway vehicle Eriveeremi juht
Locomotive driver Vedurijuht
Assistant locomotive driver Vedurijuhiabi
Specialist in charge of construction work on railways Raudtee-ehituse eest vastutav spetsialist
Person responsible for railway safety or railway traffic Raudteeohutuse ja raudteeliikluse juhtimise eest vastutav töötaja
Transport manager (public transport) Veokorraldaja (ühistransport)
Transport manager (road transport) Veokorraldaja (autoveod)

MARITIME ACTIVITIES AND RELATED PROFESSIONS 

Coastal fisherman Rannakalur

EDUCATION AND TRAINING RELATED PROFESSIONS 

Director and counsellor of youth camps and project camps Noortelaagri ning projektlaagri juhataja ja kasvataja
Teacher Õpetaja

EQUIPMENT WORKS 

Electrical
Person performing electrical installation work Elektripaigaldise käidutöid tegev isik
Person performing electrical work Elektritööd tegev isik
Person carrying out audit of the electrical installation Elektripaigaldise auditit tegev isik

Gas
Person performing gas work Gaasitööd tegev isik
Supervisor of the use of gas installation Gaasipaigaldise kasutamise järelevaataja
Person carrying out audit of the gas installation Gaasipaigaldise auditit tegev isik
Competent person carrying out a non-destructive test of the permanent joints gas piping and gas vessel Gaasitorustiku ja -anuma püsiliiteid tegev pädev isik

Machinery
Person performing machine work Masinatööd tegev isik
Supervisor of the use of machine Masinatöö kasutamise järelevaataja
Person carrying out audit of machine Masina auditit tegev isik

Pressure equipment
Person performing pressure equipment work Surveseadmetööd tegev isik
Supervisor of the use of pressure equipment Surveseadme kasutamise järelevaataja
Person carrying out audit of the pressure equipment Surveseadme auditit tegev isik
Competent person carrying out a non-destructive test of the permanent joints of pressure equipment as well as a non-destructive test of a permanent joint affecting the pressure tolerance of pressure equipment Surveseadme püsiliiteid ja surveseadme survetaluvust mõjutava püsiliite mittepurustavat katset tegev pädev isik

Lifting equipment
Person performing lifting equipment work Tõsteseadmetööd tegev isik
Supervisor of the use of lifting equipment Tõsteseadmetöö kasutamise järelevaataja
Person carrying out audit of lifting equipment Tõsteseadme auditit tegev isik

ARCHITECTS AND CONSTRUCTION RELATED PROFESSIONS 

Spacial planner Planeerija

Competent person for certain areas of activity:
Building of construction works subject to building permit requirement Ehitusloakohustusliku ehitise ehitamine
Preparation of building design documentation of construction works subject to building permit requirement Ehitusloakohustusliku ehitise ehitusprojekti koostamine NB! Qualified architect can act as a competent person
Performance of owner supervision Omanikujärelevalve tegemine
Issuing of energy performance certificates Energiamärgise andmine
Performance of energy audits Energiaauditi tegemine
Performance of site investigations Ehitusuuringud
Performance of expert assessment of building design documentation Ehitusprojekti ekspertiis
Auditing of construction works Ehitise audit
Maintenance of public roads Avalikult kasutatavate teede korrashoid
Preparation of design documentation concerning traffic arrangements Liikluskorralduse projektide tegemine
Performance of road safety audits Liiklusohutuse audit
Construction and installation of heating appliances that use solid fuel and of chimneys and flue vent connectors Tahkekütusel töötava kütteseadme ning korstna ja ühenduslõõri ehitamine ja paigaldamine

LEGAL PROFESSIONS 

Bankruptcy trustee Pankrotihaldur
Patent agent Patendivolinik
Sworn advocate Vandeadvokaat
Sworn translator Vandetõlk

AUDITORS 

Internal auditor Siseaudiitor
Sworn auditor Vandeaudiitor

SOCIAL CARE AND THERAPY RELATED PROFESSIONS 

Childcarer Lapsehoidja
Person providing rehabilitation services Erihoolekandeteenust osutav isik
Person providing victim support services Ohvriabiteenust osutav isik
Specialist in a rehabilitation team Rehabilitatsioonimeeskonna liige
Substitute home educator Asenduskodu kasvataja

HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONS

Assistant pharmacist Farmatseut
Dental practitioner Hambaarst
Doctor Arst
Midwife Ämmaemand
Nurse responsible for general care Õde
Pharmacist Proviisor
Specialist responsible for pest control management/organisation Vastutav spetsialist (kahjuritõrje tegevuse juhtimine/korraldamine)

TOURISM, LEISURE AND SPORTS RELATED PROFESSIONS 

Coach Treener

PROFESSIONS RELATED TO THE HANDLING OF EXPLOSIVES AND PYROTECHNIC ARTICLES 

Blaster Lõhkaja
Person responsible for organising the handling of explosive substances Lõhkematerjali käitlemise korraldaja
Senior blaster Lõhkemeister
Specialist in charge in a mining enterprise Vastutav spetsialist
Pyrotechnician Pürotehnik
Person responsible for organising the handling of pyrotechnic products Pürotehnilise toote käitlemise korraldaja

ENVIRONMENT RELATED PROFESSIONS 

Leading expert in environmental impact assessment Keskkonnamõju hindamise juhtekspert
Forest surveyor Metsakorraldaja
Hydrogeologist Hüdrogeoloogiliste tööde tegija
Land valuator Maa hindaja
Person performing geodetic works Geodeetiliste tööde tegija
Person performing land readjustment work Maakorraldustööde tegija
Person responsible for handling hazardous waste Ohtlike jäätmete käitluse eest vastutav isik
Radiation expert Kvalifitseeritud kiirgusekspert

FIRE SAFETY AND SECURITY RELATED PROFESSIONS 

Chimney sweep Korstnapühkija
Guard Valvetöötaja
Person performing work involving open flame Tuletööd tegev isik
Private security agent Turvatöötaja
Specialist in charge of designing, installing and inspecting of fire alarm systems Vastutav spetsialist (tulekahjusignalisatsiooni- ja automaatsed tulekustutussüsteemid)
Stove-maker Pottsepp
Voluntary rescuer Vabatahtlik päästja

OTHER PROFESSIONS 

Veterinary surgeon Veterinaararst

Advokatuur/ Bar Association
Rävala pst 3
10143 Tallinn
Phone: (+372) 662 0665
Fax: (+372) 662 0677
[email protected]
http://www.advokatuur.ee

Vandeadvokaat/ Sworn Advocate – Advokatuuriseadus

Haridus- ja Noorteamet/ Education and Youth  Board
Tõnismägi 5a
15192 Tallinn
Phone: (+372)  735 0388
[email protected]
https://harno.ee

Noortelaagri ning projektlaagri juhataja ja kasvataja/ Director and counsellor of youth camps and project camps – Noorsootöö seadus


Haridus- ja Teadusministeerium/ Ministry of Education and Research
Area of Educational Leadership and Teachers’ Policy
Munga 18
50088 Tartu
Phone: (+372) 735 4081
[email protected]
http://www.hm.ee

Õpetaja/ Teacher  – Koolieelse lasteasutuse seadusPõhikooli- ja gümnaasiumiseadusKutseõppeasutuse seadus

Justiitsministeerium/ Ministry of Justice
Suur-Ameerika 1
10122 Tallinn
Phone: (+372) 620 8100
Fax: (+372) 620 8109
[email protected]
http://www.just.ee

Pankrotihaldur/ Bankruptcy trustee – Pankrotiseadus

Patendivolinik/ Patent agent – Patendivoliniku seadus

Vandetõlk/ Sworn Translator – Vandetõlgi seadus

Keskkonnaamet/ Environmental Board
Narva mnt 7a
15172 Tallinn
Phone: (+372) 680 7438
Fax: (+372) 680 7427
[email protected]
http://www.keskkonnaamet.ee

Kvalifitseeritud kiirgusekspert/ Radiation expert – Kiirgusseadus

Ohtlike jäätmete käitluse eest vastutav isik/ Person responsible for handling hazardous waste – Jäätmeseadus

Keskkonnaministeerium/ Ministry of the Environment
Narva mnt 7a
15172 Tallinn
Phone: (+372) 626 2802
Fax: (+372) 626 2801
[email protected]
http://www.envir.ee

Keskkonnamõju hindamise juhtekspert/ Leading expert in environmental impact assessment – Keskkonnamõju hindamise ja keskkonnajuhtimissüsteemi seadus

Hüdrogeoloogiliste tööde tegija/ Hydrogeologist – Veeseadus

Metsakorraldaja/ Forest surveyor – Metsaseadus

Kultuuriministeerium/ Ministry of Cultural Affairs
Suur-Karja 23
15076 Tallinn
Phone: (+372) 628 2250
Fax: (+372) 628 2200
[email protected]
http://www.kul.ee

Treener/ Coach – Spordiseadus

Maa-amet/ Land Board
Mustamäe tee 51
10621 Tallinn
Phone: (+372) 665 0600
Fax: (+372) 665 0604
[email protected]
http://www.maaamet.ee

Maakorraldustööde tegija/ Person performing land readjustment work – Maakatastriseadus

Maa hindaja/ Land valuator – Maa hindamise seadus

Geodeetiliste tööde tegija/ Person performing geodetic works – Ruumiandmete seadus

MaaeluministeeriumMinistry of Rural Affairs
Lai tn 39/41
15056 Tallinn
Phone: (+372) 625 6101
Fax: (+372) 625 6200
[email protected]
http://www.agri.ee

Rannakalur/ Coastal fisherman – Kalapüügiseadus

Majandus- ja Kommunikatsiooniministeerium/ Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications
Suur-Ameerika 1
10122 Tallinn
Phone: (+372) 625 6342
Fax: (+372) 631 3660
[email protected]
http://www.mkm.ee

Veokorraldaja (ühistransport)/ Transport manager (public transport) - Ühistranspordiseadus

Veokorraldaja (autoveod)/ Transport manager (road transport) - Autoveoseadus

Politsei- ja Piirivalveamet/ Police and Border Guard Board
Pärnu mnt 139
15060 Tallinn
Phone: (+372) 612 3300
[email protected]
http://www.politsei.ee

Turvatöötaja/ Private security agent ; Valvetöötaja/ Guard – Turvaseadus

Põllumajandus- ja Toiduamet/ Agriculture and Food Board
Väike-Paala 3
11415 Tallinn
Phone: (+372) 605 1710
[email protected]
https://pta.agri.ee/en

Veterinaararst/ Veterinary surgeon – Veterinaarseadus

Päästeamet/ Estonian Rescue Board
Raua 2
10124 Tallinn
Phone: (+372) 628 2000
Fax: (+372) 628 2099
[email protected]
http://www.rescue.ee

Korstnapühkija/ Chimney sweep; Pottsepp/ Stove-maker; Tuletööd tegev isik/ Person performing work involving open flame; Vastutav spetsialist (tulekahjusignalisatsiooni- ja automaatsed tulekustutussüsteemid)/ Specialist in charge of fire alarm systems – Tuleohutuse seadus

Tahkekütusel töötava kütteseadme ning korstna ja ühenduslõõri ehitamise ja paigaldamise pädev isik/ Competent person in construction and installation of heating appliances that use solid fuel and of chimneys and flue vent connectors – Ehitusseadustik

Vabatahtlik päästja/ Voluntary rescuer – Päästeseadus

Rahandusministeerium/ Ministry of Finance
Suur-Ameerika 1
10122 Tallinn
Phone: (+372) 611 3558
Fax: (+372) 611 3664
[email protected]
http://www.fin.ee

Siseaudiitor/ Internal auditor; Vandeaudiitor/ Sworn Auditor – Audiitortegevuse seadus

Planeerija/ Spatial planner – Planeerimisseadus

Sotsiaalkindlustusamet/ Social Insurance Board
Paldiski mnt 80
15092 Tallinn
Phone: (+372) 612 1360
Fax: (+372) 640 8155
[email protected]
http://www.sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee

Rehabilitatsioonimeeskonna spetsialist/ Specialist in a rehabilitation team; Erihoolekandeteenust osutav isik/ Person providing rehabilitation services – Sotsiaalhoolekande seadus

Ohvriabiteenust osutav isik/ Person providing victim support services – Ohvriabi seadus

Sotsiaalministeerium/ Ministry of Social Affairs
Suur-Ameerika 1
10122 Tallinn
Phone: (+372) 626 9301
Fax: (+372) 699 2209
[email protected]
http://www.sm.ee

Asenduskodu kasvataja/ Substitute home educator; Lapsehoidja/ Childcarer – Sotsiaalhoolekande seadus

Vastutav spetsialist (kahjuritõrje)/ Responsible specialist (pest control) - Biotsiidiseadus

Spordikoolituse ja -Teabe Sihtasutus/ Foundation of Sports Education and Information
Sõjakooli 10
11316 Tallinn
Liisa Roos
Tel: (+372) 603 1561
[email protected]

Treener/ Coach – Spordiseadus

Tarbijakaitse ja Tehnilise Järelevalve Amet/ Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority
Endla 10a
10142 Tallinn
Phone: (+372) 667 2000
Fax: (+372) 667 2001
[email protected]
http://www.ttja.ee

Ohutusnõunik/ Safety advisor – Kemikaaliseadus

Competent person for certain areas of activity:
Ehitusloakohustusliku ehitise ehitamine/ Construction works subject to building permit requirement; Ehitusloakohustusliku ehitise ehitusprojekti koostamine/ Preparation of building design documentation of construction works subject to building permit requirement; Omanikujärelevalve tegemine/ Performance of owner supervision; Energiamärgise andmine/ Issuing of energy performance certificates; Energiaauditi tegemine/ Performance of energy audits; Ehitusuuringud/ Performance of site investigations; Ehitusprojekti ekspertiis/ Performance of expert assessment of building design documentation; Ehitise audit/ Auditing of construction works - Ehitusseadustik

Vedurijuht/ Locomotive driver; Vedurijuhiabi/ Assistant locomotive driver; Eriveeremi juht/ Driver of special railway vehicle – Raudteeseadus

Lõhkaja/ Blaster; Lõhkemeister/ Senior blaster; Lõhkematerjali käitlemise korraldaja/ Person responsible for organising the handling of explosive substances; Pürotehnilise toote käitlemise korraldaja/ Person responsible for organising the handling of pyrotechnic products; Pürotehnik/ Pyrotechnician – Lõhkematerjaliseadus

Vastutav spetsialist/ Specialist in charge in a mining enterprise – Maapõueseadus

Elektripaigaldise käidutöid tegev isik/ Person performing electrical installation work; Elektritööd tegev isik/ Person performing electrical work; Elektripaigaldise auditit tegev isik/ Person carrying out audit of the electrical installation; Tõsteseadmetööd tegev isik/ Person performing lifting equipment work; Tõsteseadmetöö kasutamise järelevaataja/ Supervisor of the use of lifting equipment; Tõsteseadme auditit tegev isik/ Person carrying out audit of lifting equipment; Gaasitööd tegev isik/ Person performing gas work; Gaasipaigaldise kasutamise järelevaataja/ Supervisor of the use of gas installation; Gaasipaigaldise auditit tegev isik/ Person carrying out audit of the gas installation; Gaasitorustiku ja -anuma püsiliiteid tegev pädev isik/ Competent person carrying out a non-destructive test of the permanent joints gas piping and gas vessel; Surveseadmetööd tegev isik/ Person performing pressure equipment work; Surveseadme kasutamise järelevaataja/ Supervisor of the use of pressure equipment; Surveseadme auditit tegev isik/ Person carrying out audit of the pressure equipment; Surveseadme püsiliiteid ja surveseadme survetaluvust mõjutava püsiliite mittepurustavat katset tegev pädev isik/ Competent person carrying out a non-destructive test of the permanent joints of pressure equipment as well as a non-destructive test of a permanent joint affecting the pressure tolerance of pressure equipment; Masinatööd tegev isik/ Person performing machine work; Masinatöö kasutamise järelevaataja/ Supervisor of the use of machine; Masina auditit tegev isik/ Person carrying out audit of machine – Seadme ohutuse seadus

Terviseamet/ Health Board
The Department of Health Care Management and Continuity
Paldiski mnt 81
10617 Tallinn
Liina Saar
Phone: (+372) 650 9858
[email protected]
http://www.terviseamet.ee

Arst/ Doctor; Hambaarst/ Dental practitioner; Õde/ Nurse responsible for general care; Ämmaemand/ Midwife – Tervishoiuteenuste korraldamise seadus

Farmatseut/ Assistant pharmacist; Proviisor/ Pharmacist – Ravimiseadus

Terviseamet/ Health Board
Department of Chemical Safety
Paldiski mnt 81
10617 Tallinn
Phone: (+372) 7943 554
[email protected]
www.terviseamet.ee

Vastutav spetsialist (kahjuritõrje tegevuse juhtimine/korraldamine)/ Responsible specialist (pest control management/organisation) – Biotsiidiseadus

Transpordiamet/ Estonian Transport Administration
Valge 4
10916 Tallinn
Phone: (+372) 620 1200
[email protected]
https://transpordiamet.ee/en

Liikluse reguleerija/ Authorised traffic controller; Mootorsõidukijuhi õpetaja/ Driving instructor; Mootorsõidukijuhi eksamineerija/ Examiner of drivers of power-driven vehicles; Mootorsõiduki ja selle haagise tehnonõuetele vastavuse kontrollija/ Inspector of roadworthiness of power-driven vehicles and their trailers; Trolli tehnonõuetele vastavuse kontrollija/ Inspector of the roadworthiness of trolleybuses; Trammijuht/ Tram driver - Liiklusseadus

Ohutusnõunik autovedudel ja siseveeteede vedudel/ Safety advisor for the transport of dangerous chemicals by road or inland waterway – Kemikaaliseadus

Pädev isik teede ehituse valdkonnas ja liiklusohutuse auditi tegevusalal/ Competent person in the field of road building and in the area of activity of road safety audits - Ehitusseadustik
 

Code of Conduct   

The European Commission and Member States coordinators for recognition of professional qualifications issues have agreed on a set of guidelines for interpreting the Directive 2005/36/EC, the so-called Code of Conduct.

The Code of Conduct is not a legally binding instrument. It only provides an overview of best, acceptable and unacceptable practices.

Regulated education is the norm in Estonia – especially in the health professions where we only regulate the sectoral health professions and pharmaceutical assistant. The other major health professions such as

  • physiotherapists,
  • optometrists,
  • speech therapists,
  • radiology technicians

are trained at higher education level, and the curricula are in accordance with the applicable professional standard as developed by the Estonian Qualifications Authority. The law states that if a professional standard for a particular profession has been approved by the Qualifications Authority then any course for that particular profession, as taught by a higher education or vocational institution, must follow the applicable professional standard. For further details please contact:

  • Ministry of Education and Research: Tiia Raudma (Higher Education Department), [email protected], tel +372 564 99163
  • Estonian ENIC/NARIC: Margit Brückel, [email protected], tel +372 697 9216

In order to work in a regulated profession with foreign qualifications one must apply for the recognition of these qualifications by a competent authority. Information about regulated professions, competent authorities and application procedures, etc., in a certain country is provided by assistance centres.

More information on professional recognition in Europe:

Europe Direct

EURES (The European Job Mobility Portal)

Your Europe

ENIC-NARIC.net

USER GUIDE: Directive 2005/36/EC (Everything you need to know about the recognition of professional qualifications)

Applying for recognition

The applicant pursuing the approval of a foreign professional qualification should apply directly to the competent authority of the corresponding regulated professional activity. The main task of the competent authority is to compare, according to the law, the professional qualification of the applicant with the professional qualification required in Estonia for working in the regulated profession, and to decide whether the applicant has the right to work in the given regulated profession in Estonia.

The applicant must submit to the competent authority the completed application form together with the following documents:

  • copy of the page in the identity document with the personal data;
  • copy of the receipt confirming the payment of state duty;
  • document(s) confirming the foreign professional qualification (diploma, non-higher education diploma, certificate, attestation of competence) or a certified copy;
  • other documents required by the competent authority. The competent authority has the right, if necessary, to request translations of any foreign-language documents.

The competent authority reviews the application, makes a decision and informs the applicant of this within four months from the date of submission of the application and the documentation as prescribed by law. The decision by the competent authority must be formalized as an administrative act which explains the decision and the procedures for lodging an appeal. The competent body may require an applicant to take an aptitude test or complete an adaptation period of up to six months, whereas the applicant may choose one or the other, if significant differences become apparent in the evaluation process. The applicant has the right to appeal to the Ministry of Education and Research or to the administrative court.

Last updated: 14.12.2022