Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on the Requirements for the Authorization of a Veterinarian Holding a Diploma in Veterinary Medicine Awarded in a State outside the European Economic Area (No. 235 of 2003)

NB: Unofficial translation © Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Finland Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on the Requirements for the Authorization of a Veterinarian Holding a Diploma in Veterinary Medicine Awarded in a State outside the European Economic Area (235/2003) In accordance with the Decision of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and by virtue of sections 4(3) and 5 of the Act on Pursuing the Profession of Veterinarian of 21 January 2000 (29/2000), the following is enacted: Section 1 – Scope of application (1) This decree sets out the requirements which a person holding a diploma in veterinary medicine awarded in a state outside the European Economic Area, referred to as third country below, must meet to be declared an authorized veterinarian in Finland. Section 2 – General requirements (1) A diploma in veterinary medicine awarded in a third country on the basis of which the authorization is applied for must be such that it entitles the person concerned to pursue independently the profession of veterinarian in the country where the diploma was awarded. (2) The authorization of the person concerned to pursue the profession of veterinarian may not be restricted in any way. Section 3 – Training and examination (1) To be declared authorised veterinarian in Finland, a person holding a diploma in veterinary medicine awarded in a third country must show that he/she has passed: 1) clinical training of two to six months required by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the related evaluation of the clinical work; 2) practical training in food hygiene required by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry; and 3) examination organised by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Helsinki. (2) The examination consists of a test in clinical subjects, food and environmental hygiene, and legislation. The contents, level and extent of the examinations correspond to the final examinations for those pursuing the licentiate’s degree in veterinary medicine. The examination may also be organised so that the person concerned participates in the final examinations referred to above. (3) The training and participation in the examination is subject to the condition that the person concerned possesses adequate skills in the Finnish or Swedish language. To show adequate language skills, the person concerned must present a certificate of having passed the test of at least level 3 or in a test prior to 2002 at least level 4 in Finnish or Swedish in the general language examinations or taken a degree in a Finnish-speaking or Swedish-speaking education establishment. Section 4 – Exceptional requirements for persons holding a diploma in veterinary medicine awarded in certain states and faculties (1) In the case of a person who has been awarded a diploma in veterinary medicine in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa or by faculties approved by the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education based on an evaluation, no clinical training or test in clinical subjects is required for the authorization. (2) By a decision of the faculty, the exceptions set out in subsection 1 may also concern persons holding a diploma in veterinary medicine from other education programmes approved in international evaluations. Section 5 – Authorization to pursue the profession granted in another Nordic country (1) A citizen of a Nordic country who has been entitled to pursue independently the profession of veterinarian in a Nordic country based on a diploma awarded in a third country may be authorised in Finland regardless of the conditions set out in section 3. (2) The authorization to pursue the profession of veterinarian granted in a Nordic country may not be restricted in any way. Section 6 – Authorization to pursue the profession granted in the European Economic Area (1) A person who has been entitled to pursue the profession of veterinarian in a country belonging to the European Economic Area based on a diploma in veterinary medicine awarded in a third country may be authorised in Finland regardless of the conditions set out in section 3(2), provided that the authorization to pursue the profession has been obtained by meeting the additional requirements laid down in the legislation of the state which granted the authorisation. The person concerned must, however, present a certificate on the relevant language skills as set out in section 3(3). (2) The authorisation to pursue the profession granted in a country belonging to the European Economic Area may not be restricted in any way. Section 7 – Other exceptions to the requirements (1) For special reasons the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry may grant other exceptions to the requirements set out in this Decree. Section 8 – Entry into force (1) This Decree enters into force on 1 April 2003. (2) This Decree repeals the Decision of the Veterinary and Food Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of 15 December 1993 concerning the further requirements for the authorization of a veterinarian holding a diploma in veterinary medicine awarded in a foreign country (7/93). However, section 3 of the Decision remains in force until it is repealed separately. (3) Measures necessary for the implementation of this Decree may be undertaken before the Decree’s entry into force. Section 9 – Transitional provision Persons holding a diploma in veterinary medicine awarded by third country who have started further studies at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine required for the authorisation to pursue the profession in Finland before the entry into force of this Decree may participate in the training and examinations set out in this Decree or continue the further studies by virtue of section 8(2) of the said Decision.