The European Professional Card (EPC)
The European Professional Card (EPC) is not a physical card, but an electronic procedure to document that your home state (the state where you gained your professional qualifications) has confirmed your professional qualifications.
It is important to point out that the EPC does not automatically confer a right to practise the profession in the host state. If you hold an EPC, you still have to check whether you need recognition to practise your profession in the host state.
You can apply for an EPC for the following professions:
Real estate agent
Competent authority: The Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway
Fee: There are no fees for issuing EPCs to real estate agents.
Mountain guide
Competent authority: The Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT)
Fee: There are no fees for issuing EPCs to mountain guides.
Nurse responsible for general care
Competent authority: The Norwegian Directorate of Health
Fee: There are no fees for issuing EPCs to nurses.
Pharmacist
Competent authority: The Norwegian Directorate of Health
Fee: There are no fees for issuing EPCs to pharmacists.
Physiotherapist
Competent authority: The Norwegian Directorate of Health
Fee: There are no fees for issuing EPCs to physiotherapists.
If you wish to apply for an EPC, you can do so via Your Europe. You have to create a profile on Your Europe where you enter all relevant information, such as personal data and professional qualifications. You must also upload identification documents and documentation of your professional qualification.
Once your application for an EPC has been received, the competent authority will let you know whether your application is complete or whether documents are missing. If the application was complete on submission, the competent authority shall issue an EPC within four weeks. If documents are missing from the application, the competent authority will ask you to submit the missing documents. If you do not submit the documents requested by the competent authority, your application will be rejected.
Once the processing of your application has been completed, you can print the EPC in PDF format via your YourEurope profile. The document contains a reference number that potential employers can use to verify the EPC's validity. The EPC is valid for a period of 18 months, but you can apply to the competent authority for an extension.
If the competent authority does not issue an EPC within four weeks of receiving your application, you can file a complaint with the competent authority.
