Recognition of professional qualifications acquired abroad for psychologists

Process description

1. Submission of documents to the Academic Information Centre
   Add to an application
   - a copy of the personal identification document;
   - documents certifying education and professional qualifications (diplomas and annexes thereto (extracts of performance), with translation into Latvian)
   - documents from the country of origin concerning the right to pursue a profession in that country (certificates, licences, registration, etc. if any);
   - a statement of work experience abroad (if any);
   
   The documents must be accompanied by a statement to make a payment of EUR 240 in the bank account of the Academic Information Centre.
   
   Properties of the “Academic Information Centre” foundation:
   Reg. No: LV40003239385
   Jur. address: Wall Street 2, Riga, LV-1050
   Bank: Treasury
   Code: TRELLV22
   Account: LV23TREL9152080000000
   
   Documents must be submitted to the Academic Information Centre
   • personally (address: Dzirnavu Street 16, 3 rd floor, Riga; e-mail: prof@aic.lv; tel. 67225155);
   • by post (address: Wall Street 2, Riga LV-1050)
   • electronically signed documents with a secure electronic signature (address: aic@aic.lv)

2. Evaluation of documents
   The Academic Information Centre shall, within two weeks of receipt of the submission of the applicant, confirm the receipt thereof and carry out a first-time examination of the application and the documents attached thereto, requesting the applicant to submit additional information or by appealing to the competent foreign authorities, if necessary.

3. Preparation of a statement
   The Academic Information Centre shall prepare and send a statement to the Board for Certification of Psychologists regarding:
   - the status of the educational establishment in the home country in which the education was acquired;
   - the compliance of education with the requirements specified in the Republic of Latvia for the duration, level and type of education acquisition for the relevant regulated profession;
   - the status of the profession concerned in the applicant's country of residence (regulated or unregulated);
   - the right to pursue or pursue an independent professional activity in the relevant profession in the applicant's country of residence;
   - the duration of practical experience in the regulated profession, if in Latvia a requirement regarding practical experience of a specified duration for the performance of professional activity in the relevant profession has been specified;
   other aspects.

4. Examination of information for recognition of professional qualifications of a psychologist
   The Board for the Certification of Psychologists shall, after a statement from the Academic Information Centre regarding the receipt of the education acquired by the applicant, compare the content of the professional qualification acquired in foreign states with the requirements specified in Latvia in the profession of a psychologist, which are specified in the Psychologist Law.

5. Decision of the Board for Certification of Psychologists
   1) The Board for Certification of Psychologists shall take a decision regarding the recognition of professional qualifications and the issuance of a vocational qualification certificate, if the education acquired by the applicant conforms to the requirements specified in Latvia for work in the profession of a psychologist.
   
   2) if the education acquired by the applicant only partially conforms to the requirements for work in the profession of a psychologist specified in Latvia and such non-compliance is significant, the Board for Certification of Psychologists shall issue a decision regarding the fact that the applicant has to complete the adaptation period or have to pass a qualification conformity check (i.e. an examination).
   
   3) if the education acquired by the applicant does not comply with the requirements specified in Latvia for work in the profession of a psychologist, the Board for Certification of Psychologists shall provide information and advise the applicant regarding the opportunities to acquire such education in Latvia, which will give the right to work as a psychologist.
   The decision and the professional qualification certificate shall be sent or issued to the applicant.