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Table 1 A simplified description of the application process via the proficiency test by the National board of health and welfare for nurses and doctors

From: Internationally educated nurses’ and medical graduates’ experiences of getting a license and practicing in Sweden – a qualitative interview study

Nurses

Doctors

Educated within the EU or EEAa

Through the National Board of Health and Welfare (applies from September 2016)

Educated outside the EU and EEAa

Through the National Board of Health and Welfare (applies from September 2016)

Educated within the EU or EEAa

Through the National Board of Health and Welfare (applies from September 2016)

Educated outside the EU and EEAa

Through the National Board of Health and Welfare (applies from July 2016)

1. Prove formal recognition of professional qualifications.

Prove a certificate which confirms that the applicant meets one of the following articles in EU directive 2005/36/EC (articles, 23,31, 33, 33a)

1. Apply for an assessment of foreign education

1. Prove formal recognition of the professional qualifications.

Prove a certificate which confirms that the applicant meets one of the following articles in EU directive 2005/36/EC (articles 23,24)

1. Apply for an assessment of foreign education

2. Show certified knowledge of Swedish, Norwegian or Danish language

2. Learn Swedish

2. Show certified knowledge of Swedish, Norwegian or Danish language

2. Learn Swedish

3. Prove a “Certificate of Current Professional Status”

3. Pass the proficiency test in Nursing

3. Prove one of the certificates “Certificate of Good Standing” or “Certificate of Current Professional Status”

3. Pass the proficiency test in Medicine

4. Pass a course on Swedish laws and legislation

4. Pass a course on Swedish laws and legislation

5. Clinical training (3 months)b

5. Clinical training (6 months) b

6. Show certified knowledge of Swedish, Norwegian or Danish language and submit a formal application for a license to practicec

6. Show certified knowledge of Swedish, Norwegian or Danish language and submit a formal application for a license to practicec

The processing time is about 3 months

The processing time is about 2 months

The processing time is about 3 months

The processing time is about 2 months

Fee for applying for a license is SEK 700

Fee for applying for a license is SEK 700

Fee for applying for a license is SEK 2300

Fee for applying for a license is SEK 2300

  1. aIncluding, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland
  2. bThe National Board of Health and Welfare does not assist in finding a place for the clinical training
  3. cThe formal application can only be submitted after steps 1–5 have been fulfilled