Optometrist

Conditions of authorisation

For optometrists there are two normal situations relating to applications for licencing or authorisation:

1. Authorisation: Authorisation is granted to applicants who have successfully completed their optometrists education. The conditions for authorisation are stated in Health Personnel Act, section 48.
2. Licence: A licence represents permission to practise as optometrist, but under certain conditions. A licence can be restricted in terms of e.g. duration and location, and can only be granted following concrete evaluation as to whether the licencee is capable of practising her/his professionally responsibly. A licence provides the holder with additional opportunities. Typically, a licence applies to foreign optometrists who are not in possession of basic education/training equivalent to that of Norwegian optometrists. But licences may also be granted to optometrists who have previously had their licences (official recognition) revoked, but who are in process of being reinstated.

Special regulations relating to authorisation apply to applicants with foreign authorisation as optometrists.

Norway has through a special Nordic Agreement (not currently available in English) agreed to acknowledge authorisation of optometrists by other Nordic countries. In such cases, no assessment is made as to whether the qualification is the equivalent of the corresponding Norwegian qualification.

For applicants with education/training from other EEA countries, applications will be processed in accordance with Council Directive 89/48/EEC, cf. 92/51/EEC (with subsequent amendments). This does not grant right of recognition, but the Directive contains rules governing the granting of authorisation. These rules have been incorporated in a separate EEA Regulation of 21 December 2000, see Ch. VII. The main rule is that the education/training not deviate to any marked degree from the requirements as to competence laid down by Norwegian regulations.

Applicants with other foreign qualifications as optometrists

For applicants with foreign qualifications from outside the EEA, it is required that such qualification be judged as the professional equivalent of Norwegian certificate, cf. Health Personnel Act, section 48, subsection 3a. Such assessment is made by the applicant's documentation of her/his own qualification as described in curricula, work experience etc. representing the equivalent of curricula related to Norwegian education/training. Applicants will be expected to be acquainted with Norwegian health services. In certain cases external advisers will assist SAFH in making an assessment. Advisers do not make the final decision but provide professional advice which SAFH takes into account when assessing applicants' qualifications. Only when foreign qualifications have been evaluated will processing of an application for authorisation be finalised.

Updated 08.09.2011