There is evidence that several foreign citizens living in Iceland have various educational and professional qualifications and experience that are not being put to use in their current occupations. Recently, the Reykjavik Department of Social Services conducted a survey of their foreign employees, most of whom were employed as unskilled labour. The results of this survey showed that many of these employees were considerably well educated, but their education and training had not received the relevant certification in Iceland. In other words, their current employment did not correspond with their level of education, the skills and competencies that these individuals possess benefits neither them nor society. Most of these individuals, at one point or another, may wish to put to use their professional qualifications as well as other skills and experiences acquired in their home country for their own benefit and that of society. To do this, an official evaluation and certification from the relevant authorities is required.

This often leads to complicated and time-consuming dealings with various institutions that demand different kinds of documents and certificates from the country of origin.  Increasingly, people who have had difficulties with getting their qualifications evaluated have been coming to The Intercultural Centre for assistance and information on how to pursue this matter.

There are different ways of doing this, but it also depends largely on whether the individual is from a Nordic country, an EEA country, outside the Nordic, EU and EEA countries. It can also depend on the profession.  As part of the EEA agreement, all professional qualifications and social rights that an individual has earned in participating countries apply within the whole of the EEA area.  This means for those from a Nordic or an EEA country it is not necessary to seek any special professional licencing her in Iceland. However, it may be necessary to receive verification of one’s qualifications from the Icelandic authorities. This verification may be issued from the relevant ministry or committees within certain professional and trade unions, for example the Union of Icelandic Electrical Workers. For instance electricians receive verification from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

DO YOU INTEND TO HAVE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS EVALUATED HERE IN ICELAND?  HERE ARE A FEW GENERAL POINTS.

• Gather together all the information that you can about your education, previous positions held, diplomas, course descriptions and transcripts (these are not always necessary, but helpful).  Be aware that the more detailed the information you submit, the less complicated and speedier the processing of your application will be.
• In most circumstances it is acceptable to submit the documents in English or in a Scandinavian language. If the documents are not in one of the above languages they must be translated accordingly, and it is safest to have them done by a certified translator. 
•  For more information on how to process your application, contact the appropriate union, ministry or the Intercultural Centre.
• Check to see if you must prove knowledge in Icelandic or if you must take a language proficiency exam in Icelandic and make the necessary arrangements.
• Note that although the decision you receive is final at the governmental level, you may always seek the opinion of the Ombudsman of the parliament (Althingi) or take the case to court. We would like to point out that it does not cost anything to seek the opinion of the Ombudsman.
• For more information and a list of regulated professions and their corresponding ministries the Ministry of Science, Education and Culture has a very complete website.

                            www.menntagatt.is/transparency