About the recognition

Who needs recognition?

To obtain a permanent position as a teacher in Norwegian primary and secondary education and training, it is compulsory to be recognised as a qualified teacher.

Everyone with foreign education who wish to obtain a permanent position in Norwegian primary and secondary education and training, must have recognition from us. For mother-tongue teacher, it is sufficient to be recognised as a first language teacher (“morsmålslærer”).

Recognition as teacher from the Directorate of Education (“Utdanningsdirektoratet”) (2008-2019) or from NOKUT (2020-2022) are still valid recognitions.

If you have a bachelor or master degree from abroad, but have completed Practical Pedagogical Education (PPU - praktisk-pedagogisk utdanning) in Norway, you have a Norwegian teacher qualification and do not need recognition.

The requirement for recognition only applies for primary and lower and secondary education. You do not need to apply for recognition in or to teach within tertiary vocational education and training (fagskole), universities and university colleges or in cultural schools (kulturskole). Employers can still choose to require recognition as a teacher in job advertisements, even though it is not a legal requirement.

Can I work in school without recognition?

Without recognition you can work as a substitute or in other temporary positions as a teacher. You can also get a job as a teacher on the condition that you complete a relevant and qualifying education that you are already pursuing.

Only teaching positions require recognition. If you wish to apply for other positions in Norwegian schools, you do not need recognition as a teacher. It is the employers responsibility to assess whether you are qualified for professions that are not regulated by law.

What you need to obtain recognition

To be granted recognition as a teacher, you must hold the professional qualification of a teacher in primary and secondary education from another country. This may be a qualification as a primary or secondary school teacher.

If you are qualified to practise the profession in the country where you completed your education

Being qualified to practise the profession means that you are fully qualified to work as a teacher in the country where you completed your education. If the profession is regulated in that country, you must be able to document that you are qualified to practise the profession.

The purpose of professional recognition is to enable you to bring your profession with you from another country. We assess your qualifications in accordance with the Professional Qualifications Directive.

We evaluate whether your professional qualifications meet the requirements regarding level, scope, subject specialisation and pedagogical competence. Higher education and teaching experience in primary and secondary education may help fulfil the requirements.

Your teacher qualification must be aimed at teaching in primary or secondary school and meet the following requirements:

• Pedagogical studies equivalent to 40 ECTS credits in educational theory, didactics and supervised teaching practice in primary or secondary education during your education.
• Level and scope equivalent to three years of higher education /180 ECTS credits.
• The equivalence of 30 ECTS of higher education in an academic subject.

If your education does not meet the requirements above, there are substantial differences between your qualifications and Norwegian teacher education. If we determine that these differences are not compensated for through relevant professional experience or equivalent qualifications, you may be offered a compensation measure that must be completed and passed in order to obtain recognition.

This arrangement applies only to citizens of EEA countries and the United Kingdom who hold professional qualifications from the EEA or the United Kingdom.

If you are not qualified to practise the profession in the country where you completed your education

If you do not hold the professional qualification of a teacher in primary and secondary education from another country, we may still assess whether your qualifications are comparable to Norwegian teacher education.

This assessment is carried out in accordance with the requirements for employment as a teacher under the Education Regulations to the Education Act.

Your education must be suitable for teaching in primary and secondary education and meet the following requirements:

• Pedagogical studies equivalent to 60 ECTS credits in educational theory, didactics and supervised teaching practice in primary or secondary education during your education
• Level and scope equivalent to four years of higher education /240 ECTS credits
• The equivalence of 30 ECTS of higher education in an academic subject.

Professional experience cannot be used to fulfil these requirements.

If you are unsure whether you meet the requirements for recognition, we still recommend that you apply. Our decision will include information about requirements you do not meet and what you can do to fulfil them.

Norwegian language requirements

There is a requirement for proficiency in the Norwegian language and knowledge of Norwegian society and school conditions to work as a teacher or first language teacher in Norwegian schools.

The requirement may vary in different municipalities, and the requirements may differ for different positions.

There is no requirement for Norwegian language skills to obtain recognition as a teacher or first language teacher, and it is the employer's responsibility to assess whether your knowledge, skills, and understanding of the Norwegian language, Norwegian society, and school conditions are sufficient for the specific position.

Legal Framework

• Requirements for employment as a teacher are regulated in Section 17-3 of the Education Act and Chapter 12 of the Education Regulations.
• Recognition requirements are regulated in Sections 12-11 and 12-12 of the Education Regulations.
• General rules for recognition of professional qualifications are found in the Professional Qualifications Act and related regulations.
• EU rules are based on the Professional Qualifications Directive (Directive 2005/36/EC).
• Rules for appeals are regulated in Chapter VI of the Public Administration Act.