In this blog article, you will learn all about the professional licence in the healthcare sector and which professional groups are affected.
What is a professional licence?
A professional licence is a permit that you need in order to practise certain professions in the healthcare sector. It ensures that you have the necessary qualifications and skills to practise the profession safely and responsibly. Without this licence, you are not allowed to practise the profession independently.
You must fulfil certain requirements in order to obtain a professional licence. As a rule, these include having completed training or a relevant degree programme and possibly passing an examination. The exact requirements vary depending on the profession and country.
The professional licence is issued by the competent authorities. As a rule, you must submit an application and various documents, such as proof of your training and qualifications.
Which professional groups are affected?
The professional licence mainly affects professions in the healthcare sector. These include, for example, doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and many others. As a rule, professions where there is a direct influence on the health and well-being of patients are affected.
It is important to note that the exact professions that require a licence to practise may vary from canton to canton. It is therefore worth finding out about the specific requirements in your canton and your profession. In the canton of Zurich, for example, the following professions are affected:
- Acupuncturist
- Pharmacist
- Doctor
- Chiropractor
- Dental hygienist
- Druggist
- Occupational therapist
- Nutritionist
- Obstetrician
- Laboratory manager
- Speech therapist
- Optometrist
- Osteopath
- Nursing specialist
- Physiotherapist
- Podiatrist
- Psychological psychotherapist
- Dentist
- Dental prosthodontist
What do you need to do if you need a licence to practise?
If you need a licence to practise, you should first research the exact requirements for your profession and your canton. You can contact the relevant authorities or professional associations, who will be able to help you.
Once you have all the information you need, you usually have to submit an application. You will need to submit various documents, such as proof of your training and qualifications. You may also have to take an exam to prove your skills.
It is important to start the application process early, as it can take some time. Also note that there may be fees for processing your application.
As soon as your application has been approved, and you have received your licence to practise, you can practise your profession independently. Don't forget that the professional licence usually has to be renewed regularly. Find out about the respective renewal processes and deadlines to ensure that you always have a valid licence.
This article was translated from German with Deepl.
