The European Communities (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) (First General System) Regulations 2005

Professional experience, adaptation periods and aptitude tests

6.—(1) A designated authority may, before authorising the migrant to practise the regulated profession, require him to satisfy one or other of the following conditions (but not both)—

(a) where the duration of the education and training received by the migrant, as appears from the matters established by him pursuant to regulation 5, is at least one year less than that required of native applicants, he may be required to provide evidence of a period of professional experience; and the provisions of Schedule 2 shall have effect with respect to the length of that period;

(b) in the circumstances specified in paragraph (3) of this regulation (but subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the migrant may be required either—

(i) to complete an adaptation period not exceeding three years with a successful assessment; or

(ii) to pass an aptitude test.

(2) Where a requirement is imposed pursuant to sub-paragraph (1)(b) of this regulation, the choice between an adaptation period and an aptitude test shall be that of the migrant, except in the case of the regulated professions specified in Schedule 3 (where the provisions of that Schedule shall apply).

(3) If a designated authority intends to require the migrant to complete an adaptation period or take an aptitude test it must first examine whether the knowledge acquired by the migrant in the course of his professional experience is such that it fully or partly covers the substantial difference referred to in paragraph (4).

(4) The circumstances referred to in sub-paragraph (1)(b) of this regulation are where the matters covered by the education and training received by the migrant, as established by him pursuant to regulation 5, differ substantially from those covered by the diploma required of native applicants.