Frequently asked questions

On this page, you will find questions and answers related to recognition of foreign tertiary vocational education.

On 1st of January 2023 all of NOKUT's recognition services for foreign education moved to the Directorate of Higher Education and Skills (HK-Dir).

All requirements and guidelines decided by NOKUT are continued in the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. The information about foreign education on this website is still valid. Until a new website is launched, you will find all information about the services here.

  • Do you have a Norwegian national ID number?

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    You will hear back sooner from NOKUT if you have a digital mailbox. If you do not have a digital mailbox, you receive letters by post and your letters will be available in the applicant portal.

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    What to do if you do not have a Norwegian national ID number?

    Applicants without a Norwegian national ID number or D number can also apply through the applicant portal. At the bottom of the login page, you will find the alternative: Proceed to alternative login methods. Here you can create an application by filling in your personal information. You must have an email address in order to use this service. In addition, you must upload copies of an ID document.

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  • Recognition of foreign tertiary vocational education includes an assessment of your education in comparison to the Norwegian education system, in accordance with Act relating to Tertiary Vocational Education (fagskoleloven) section 7 (in Norwegian). You will get an assessment of the level and scope of your education, and what it usually can be used for in the country where it is completed. This recognition scheme does not assess the vocational content of your education.

    The assessment is document-based. NOKUT’s assessment is a decision in accordance with the Public Administration Act section 2 b.

  • When you submit an application through the applicant portal, it will automatically be registered in NOKUT’s system, and you will receive a confirmation email with a reference number. In addition, you will receive a letter from NOKUT confirming that your case is being processed.

    If we have not received all the documents we need to process your application, you will receive a letter describing which documents you have to submit. You will be asked to log into the applicant portal. You will find the letter with information about which documents are missing in your Document overview (left menu).

    If we have not received all the required documents within three weeks, your application will be rejected.

    Processing time starts once we have received the required documentation. The regular processing time is four months. The assessment procedure is a newly established procedure, and some cases may require more than four months. If that is the case for your application, you will be notified by email.

    When NOKUT has finalized the evaluation of your application, you will be notified by email. You will find NOKUT’s decision letter in your digital mailbox and in the applicant portal.

  • No. NOKUT can only recognize completed foreign tertiary vocational education. If NOKUT cannot recognize your education, read more under the question What if NOKUT cannot recognize my foreign tertiary vocational education?

  • No. NOKUT can only assess completed foreign tertiary vocational education. Read more under the question What if NOKUT cannot recognize my foreign tertiary vocational education?

  • If your documents are issued in a different language than English or one of the Nordic languages, they must be translated into Norwegian or English. The translation must be done by the educational institution or a government-authorized translator. It must be apparent in the documents who has done the translations.

    Read more about translations

  • If you do not have all your documents, you might be able to request them from the vocational school/awarding body that issued them.

  • NOKUT’s recognition of foreign tertiary vocational education is voluntary and is a tool to help you in the Norwegian job market. It is up to employers to decide whether they require NOKUT’s recognition or not.

  • There can be several reasons why an application is rejected:

    • There are substantial differences between your education and Norwegian tertiary vocational education (fagskoeutdanning).
    • Have you submitted all the documentation we need to assess your application? Check the documentation requirements

    Do you have questions about the result of the recognition? Contact us.

  • No, NOKUT’s decision is meant as an aid for those who are working or applying for jobs in Norway, or who are applying for admission to further studies in Norway. It is not intended to be used abroad. This is why NOKUT’s decision is issued in Norwegian only.

  • It is up to your employer to assess your education credentials. If you seek to apply for further studies, you have to get in touch with the relevant admissions office.

  • The requirements for master craftsman's certificates in Norway are set by the Master Craftsman Certificate Committee. To become a master within a vocational field, a minimum requirement is that you have a Norwegian crafts- or journeyman’s certificate, or equivalent education and training from abroad. Foreign education and training will always be evaluated against an equivalent profession/craft or journeyman’s certificate in Norway.

    More information on master craftsman's certificate from the Master Craftsman Certificate Committee (in Norwegian)

  • Some professions in Norway are regulated by law, for example in the construction sector. In order to work in a regulated profession in Norway, you must first apply for recognition (authorization) from the appropriate recognition office responsible for your profession. Check whether your profession is regulated in Norway.

    There are separate regulations for recognition of professional qualifications for EU/EEA nationals.

  • There will be no changes to current practice regarding this recognition scheme. 

  • The Norwegian qualifications framework for lifelong learning (NQF) gives an overview of official qualifications in Norway, and shows on which level the qualifications are. NQF is also a tool for comparison of Norwegian qualifications with qualifications from other countries. NQF is a contribution to the promotion of lifelong learning.

    Read more about NQF on our website.

  • We recommend that you apply for recognition through NOKUT’s electronic applicant portal. If you cannot apply through the electronic applicant portal, you must notify us that you wish to opt out of online communication. We will then send you a paper application form.

    There are many advantages to applying through NOKUT’s electronic applicant portal. You will save time, you can easily track the progress of your application, and the result of your application is always available as a downloadable PDF-document.

    If you still want to opt out of online communication, you will need to register via ID-porten if you have previously registered your mobile phone number or e-mail address when logging in to an online public service via ID-porten.

    In order to receive a paper application form from NOKUT, you must send an email to enic-naric@hkdir.no. The email must include a text that explains your wish to opt out of online communication. In addition, you must include the following information:

    • Name
    • Address
    • Language preference: You can choose between English and Norwegian
    • Desired recognition procedure: You can choose between General recognition of higher education and Recognition of vocational education and training

    A paper application form will be sent to your mailing address.