Register as a Pharmacist in Norway

Helsedirektoratet or Norwegian Direcotrate of Health

The Norwegian Directorate of Health plays a pivotal role in regulating and overseeing the pharmacy profession within Norway. Aspiring pharmacists navigate through the rigorous registration process overseen by this authoritative body, ensuring adherence to stringent standards of competence, ethics, and professional conduct. Through its comprehensive regulatory framework, the Directorate safeguards the public's health by fostering a competent and accountable pharmacy workforce, thereby upholding the highest standards of pharmaceutical care across the nation. Additionally, the title of "pharmacist" is a protected profession within Norway, further emphasizing the importance of the Directorate's role in maintaining the integrity and quality of pharmacy services.

Consider before applying

Before submitting your application, individuals with education from outside the EU/EEA must fulfill additional requirements as part of the authorization process. It is crucial to familiarize yourself with these requirements and associated fees beforehand.

Deadline Extension for Completing Additional Requirements:

If you have received a decision letter stipulating the completion of additional requirements within three years before obtaining Norwegian authorization, you must take note. For those seeking authorization as a pharmacist at the master's level, it's essential to have an integrated master's thesis included in your education, reflected on your transcript. Failure to meet this criterion may necessitate applying for authorization as a prescriptionist at the bachelor's level in Norway.

Steps in the application process

1. Follow the instructions to get your document ready. For details see the section "Documents Required"

2. Sign up for an account on Altinn.

3. Pay the processing fee.

4. Wait for the decision, then follow the instructions to get your permanent license.

Please note that the overall process consist of at least two steps. In step 1, the qualification of the applicant is assessed and based on that some courses including language requirements are recommended. In step 2, the applicant need to resubmit the documents of completion of the courses including language course recommended in step 1.

Application processing time

Due to a high increase in received applications in 2022, individuals should expect an additional processing time than they were initially informed about. The applications are processed consecutively in the order they were received.

If your application is missing required documents, the processing time will be longer.

The processing time depends on the country where you earned your degree. If you've worked in another EEA country with full professional rights for at least 3 years, you can let us know by emailing: godkjenning@helsedir.no

Fee involved in the process

A processing fee of NOK 3,500 must be paid. This fee is settled in Altinn during the application registration process.

Language Requirements

To obtain authorization in Norway, you must pass an approved Norwegian test at level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference of languages (CEFR). Accepted language tests that demonstrate B2 proficiency include the "Test in Norwegian - higher level" (also known as the "Bergenstesten," passed in both oral and written sections) and the Norwegian language test by "Kompetanse Norge" (formerly VOX) with B2 scores on all subtests.

Alternatively, you can provide documentation of proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish at the same level. The following equivalents to the Norwegian B2 test are acceptable:

- Completion of Norwegian or Norwegian as a second language exam at the VG3 level (393 hours) in a Norwegian upper secondary school with a grade of 4 or higher in both oral and written sections.

- Completion of level 3 in Norwegian for foreign students at universities with a grade of C or higher in both oral and written sections.

- Successful completion of a program in higher education with a minimum of 60 credits in Norwegian language and social studies for foreign students with a grade of C or better.

- Completion of all years in a Norwegian 9-year or 10-year lower secondary school with passing grades.

- Successful completion of Norwegian A or Norwegian B at the lowest level (standard level) from the International Baccalaureate (IB) program with a grade of 3 or better.

Documents Required

When applying, you must include the following documents:

1. Diploma or Certificate of graduation

2. Transcript or Diploma Supplement

3. Documentation of completed master's thesis or scientific work as part of your degree. The assignment's scope must be stated in your transcript and approved by your educational institution.

4. Bibliography or literature list from your years of education

Possible additional documentation:

- Authorization or registration from the country of education or another country, proving your right to practice.

- Certificate of relevant work experience after graduation, issued by your employer. The certificate must include job title, period of employment, job percentage, and a detailed description of your work tasks and responsibilities. Employment contracts, CVs, or recommendation letters are not sufficient.

- Syllabus detailing the study curriculum or course content from your years of education. This should include admission requirements, educational level, subjects taught, description of each subject, and duration.

Note:

- In some countries, the educational institution must send transcripts directly to the Directorate of Health or authorities must certify the documents before sending them.

- All documents must be scanned as PDF copies of the original documents. Color documents should be scanned in color, and photographs will not be accepted.

- Multi-page documents should be assembled into one file in the correct order and all pages should be correctly rotated.

- Documents not in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, or English must be translated by an authorized translator. Translations should be submitted in the same file as the original document.

Special Documentation Requirements

These requirements apply to applicants who completed their education in certain countries. Applicants from the following countries must arrange for their educational institution to send their transcripts directly to The Norwegian Directorate of Health:

1. Afghanistan

2. The Democratic Republic of Congo

3. Eritrea

4. Ethiopia

5. Hong Kong

6. Iraq

7. Yemen

8. Cameroon

9. Liberia

10. Libya

11. Nigeria

12. Sierra Leone

13. Somalia

14. Taiwan

15. United States

The transcripts should be sent by post to:

The Norwegian Directorate of Health,

Department of Authorisation,

PB 220 Skøyen,

0213 Oslo,

Norway.

The educational institution must provide contact information (name, email address, and telephone number) for at least one person from the institution.

Other countries with specific documentation requirements include:

Pakistan:

Degree certificates and transcripts/result cards must be certified by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). The certified documents should be returned to you by HEC so that you can forward them to The Norwegian Directorate of Health. Information on how to obtain HEC attestation can be found on the Higher Education Commission, Pakistan website.

Ukraine:

Due to the current situation in Ukraine, obtaining an Apostille for educational documents is challenging. Therefore, the Norwegian Directorate of Health will accept Ukrainian documentation without an Apostille until further notice. Information and Image Center of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine: http://apostille.in.ua/en/

China:

Applicants with degrees from China must have their educational documents verified by the China Academic Degree & Graduate Education Information Center (CDGDC). The verification reports are sent directly to you from CDGDC for submission to The Norwegian Directorate of Health. Information on how to obtain verification from CDGDC can be found on the China Academic Degree & Graduate Education Information Center website. If you do not have a degree certificate, the graduation certificate must be verified through China Higher Education Student Information (CHSI). The transcript can also be verified through CHSI. The verification reports are sent directly to you from CHSI for submission to The Norwegian Directorate of Health. Information on how to obtain verification from CHSI can be found on the China Higher Education Student Information website.

Using and Agent or Assistant

Regarding applications, Helsedirektoratet will directly communicate with applicants. However, applicants have the option to authorize an agent or assistant to represent them in their application process. In such instances, the agent or assistant must provide a power of attorney confirming their authorization to act on behalf of the applicant. This power of attorney can be either an email or a physical document sent by the applicant, explicitly stating that the individual is authorized to act on their behalf in the application process. Notably, attorneys-at-law and public legal aid attorneys are exempt from presenting this document unless specifically asked to do so.

If you require support with your application to Helsedirektoratet, our services are available to assist you at every step. You can contact us via phone (WhatsApp) at +358 46 9406962 or email us at contact.european.pharmacist@gmail.com.

Official website

To access the official online portal for submitting applications and accessing important resources, please visit the following link: Helsedirektoratet

We encourage applicants to utilize this online resource for a streamlined and up-to-date information.

Trained in EU/EEA?

This information is intended solely for pharmacists trained outside the EU/EEA. Pharmacists trained within the EU/EEA are directed to follow the provided link https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/work/professional-qualifications/european-professional-card/index_en.htm for relevant guidance and procedures.