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Recognition of foreign qualifications

Have you completed your training in a foreign country? If you wish to work in a regulated healthcare profession in Switzerland, your qualification must be recognized

What do I need to do?

1

Fill in the PreCheck

The PreCheck is the first step in the actual recognition procedure. The PreCheck is compulsory but free of charge.

Start PreCheck
Opens a new window

What happens next?

Once you have submitted all the documents, processing will take a maximum of four weeks. Then you can log back into the PreCheck portal. You will be able to view your result. You will be informed whether your PreCheck is positive or negative and the next stage in the procedure.

2

Start the recognition procedure

You have received an application form on www.precheck.chOpens a new window with the PreCheck result. Submit your completed application form to us. We will then send you the recognition application by post.

What happens next?

  • You collect all the necessary documents.

  • You pay the required fee.

  • You send us all the documents and the signed application form by post.

Schweizerisches Rotes Kreuz
Gesundheitsberufe
Werkstrasse 18
3084 Wabern

Important

The recognition procedure only starts once we have received the complete application dossier with all the documentation and the invoice has been paid. From that point, it takes up to four months before an initial decision is made.

3

Recognition decision

Your complete application has been submitted to us: you will then receive a preliminary decision within four months. The decision can either be that your qualifications have been recognized or that you need to complete compensatory measures. If compensatory measures are needed, the procedure will take longer to complete.

How long does the recognition process take?

  • PreCheck: maximum of four weeks until the PreCheck result

  • Application for recognition: maximum four months until the first decision is made

Important:

These deadlines presuppose that we receive your PreCheck and the application for recognition with all documents and the information required for the recognition procedure. Otherwise the processing time will be extended.

If additional compensatory measures are required, the procedure will take longer.

How much does recognition cost?

  • 550 Swiss franc if your degree in nursing or midwifery is listed in the EU requirements 2005/36/ECOpens a new window, Annex V (starting on page 124) in the relevant countries. You will receive one invoice.

  • 930 Swiss franc if no compensatory measures are required. You will receive two partial invoices.

  • 1,000 Swiss franc if compensatory measures are required. You will receive two partial invoices.

  • Depending on the profession, an additional 130 Swiss franc may be charged for registration with GesReg / NAREG, the National Register of Healthcare Professions.

IMPORTANT

Costs compensatory measures

Are compensatory measures required? This will incur some additional costs. You will be invoiced directly for these costs by the providers of the compensatory measures.

FAQ

Documents required to support an application for recognition

Certificate of Current Professional Status / Letter of Good Standing

As part of the application for recognition, we require a certificate stating that the person submitting the application is entitled to carry out their profession.

Why do I need this certificate?

This certificate ensures the quality of healthcare in Switzerland and thus protects patients. When applying for your qualification to be recognized, you need to submit various documents. These include a certificate confirming that you are entitled to carry out your profession in the relevant foreign country, and that there are no sanctions against you. That means you have never been barred from working in your profession, either permanently or temporarily.

Where do I get this certificate?

You get the certificate from the authority in the country that you last worked in. It is your responsibility to obtain this certificate. You will find an overview of the competent authorities here.

Competent authorities

IMPORTANT

CCPS/LoGS process

The certificate may have a different name depending on the country: ‘Certificate of Current Professional Status (CCPS)’ or ‘Letter of Good Standing’ (LoGS). For the first step in recognizing qualifications, the PreCheckOpens a new window, a current CCPS/LoGS is not required.

As part of your application for recognition, you must submit a CCPS/LoGS that is no more than three months old.

Further information on CCPS / LoGS

You will be informed in the recognition application what other documents must be submitted.

What language skills do I need?

The SRC accepts the following certificates

Your language certificate can also be issued abroad.

Which professions does the SRC recognize?

Information on your profession

Frequently asked questions

In general

Costs

Duration

Documents

Compensatory measures

After the recognition

Billing for services

Further information

Would you like to know what the legal bases are for the recognition process? You will find the key information here.

Legal bases

Important websites

State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI)

You will find the legal bases here.

Important websites

Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH)

The Federal Office of Public Health is responsible for the health of the population and develops Swiss health policy.

Important websites

Swiss Conference of Cantonal Health Directors (GDK)

The Swiss Conference of Cantonal Health Directors is the political health policy coordination body for the Swiss cantons (information available in German and French only).

Important websites

Recognition / Swiss ENIC

For job seekers with a qualification from a foreign higher education institution that does not relate to a regulated profession, Swiss ENIC can make a recommendation of recognition.

Important websites

European Commission

You can find numerous education and training opportunities for students of all ages, information on studying abroad, professional training and recognition of qualifications and competencies here.

Important websites

OdASanté

OdASanté is the national umbrella association for healthcare professions. It represents the interests of the healthcare sector throughout Switzerland with regard to the training and education required for health professions. You will find information on framework curricula and courses here (information in German, French and Italian only).

Important websites

SASIS

You will find information on obtaining a control number or invoicing number (paying agent register number ZSR/RCC) if you wish to work as a physiotherapist or occupational therapist in Switzerland here (information in German, French and Italian only).

Important websites

State Secretariat for Migration (SEM)

The State Secretariat for Migration determines under which circumstances a person may enter Switzerland to live and work. It also decides who is granted protection from persecution.

Important websites

Santésuisse

santésuisse is the leading organization in the Swiss social health insurance sector.

Important websites

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