Credential evaluation

The Credential Evaluation and Educational Comparison Department of SBB is the centre of expertise for foreign and Dutch VET diplomas.

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Old Dutch VET diploma

SBB issues declarations on the value of old VET diplomas compared to the current education system. This personal declaration states the level within the current qualification structure with which a course can be compared. A person holding such diploma can use this declaration for work or education in the Netherlands.

What diplomas
Procedure and payment

You start an application by clicking on the green button ‘Application form’. You have to fill in the application form and upload a copy of your identity document, the diploma you request a declaration for and the list of subjects for that diploma. At the end of the application form, you have to pay € 57 via iDeal.

SBB processes your application within four working weeks. The processing period starts as soon as SBB has received all required documents and the payment.

If SBB cannot process your application, you will receive a refund of € 30. The administration fee of € 27 is not refundable.

Een aanvraag doet u door op de groene knop 'Aanvraagformulier' te klikken. U vult het aanvraagformulier in en uploadt een kopie van uw legitimatiebewijs, het diploma waar u een verklaring voor wil ontvangen en het bijbehorende vakkenoverzicht. Aan het einde van uw aanvraagformulier betaalt u € 57 via iDeal. SBB behandelt uw aanvraag binnen vier werkweken. De behandeltermijn gaat in zodra alle benodigde documenten en de betaling zijn ontvangen door SBB. Kan SBB uw aanvraag niet in behandeling nemen? Dan ontvangt u € 30 terug. De gemaakte administratiekosten van € 27 ontvangt u niet terug.

Standard descriptions

Standard descriptions of old VET diplomas are available for a number of diplomas in the care and welfare sector. This states, among other things, the level within the current qualification structure with which the course can be compared, as well as the professional context. Download descriptions External link

Personal Healthcare Assistant

Which diplomas give entitlement to use the title of Personal Healthcare Assistant (Verzorgende Individuele Gezondheidszorg, VIG)? Download overview External link

Regulated education and training

Various professions are regulated or protected in the EU Member States (including the Netherlands) and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. These are professions that are subject to statutory access regulations, such as pharmacy assistants. In addition, there are a number of regulated training courses in the Netherlands.

Is your profession regulated?

Which professions are regulated varies from one EU Member State to another. Do you want to know if a profession is regulated in the Netherlands or in another EU member state? Check the European Commission database. Here you will find an overview of regulated professions and competent authorities by country. European Commission database External link

Do you want to work in a regulated profession?

Anyone who wants to work in a regulated profession must apply to the competent authority. The contact details of the authority can be found in the database. Every EU Member State has an assistance centre (AC) that provides information. In the Netherlands, this is Nuffic. The Credential Evaluation and Educational Comparison Department of SBB cooperates with Nuffic and is the contact point for VET professions. Nuffic External link

What is regulated education and training?

Regulated training courses are aimed at the practice of a specific profession. Anyone who has completed a regulated training course in the Netherlands and wants to work in a regulated profession in another EU Member State is, in principle, eligible for professional recognition, even if the profession is not regulated in the Netherlands. The competent authority in the country of establishment will assess whether the training received meets the access requirements for the profession.

Regulated education and training in the Netherlands

Vocational courses at VET qualification levels 3 and 4 that are approved by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science are regulated courses. This also applies to all approved 3-year and 4-year vocational courses at VET level that were offered until 1999/2000. By training with a special structure, we mean regulated training for a profession that is regulated as well. Read more