Online service instructions for rights to practise

You can submit applications for rights to practise and order certificates on rights to practise in the Valvira online service. We recommend using the online service whenever possible, particularly when applying for rights to practise in social welfare and health care on the basis of a degree or qualification completed in Finland.

Health care professionals

The online service is available to applicants who have completed their degree or qualification in health care at a Finnish academic university or university of applied sciences and whose qualification details are entered in the national VIRTA education and training data service. The online service is also available to applicants who have completed a vocational qualification in health care at a vocational education and training institution in Finland and whose qualification details are entered in the national KOSKI education and training data service. You can order an EU Certificate (Certificate of Current Professional Status) or an extract from a register of professionals in the online service.

At this time, the online service cannot be used for applying for rights to practise in professions whose occupational titles begin with the word ‘sairaala’ (hospital). The online service also cannot be used for applying for restricted prescription rights. Moreover, the online service cannot be used if your degree or qualification is an older one that does not show up in the online service.

Social welfare professionals

Most rights to practise in social welfare can be applied for in the online service. We recommend using the online service particularly to those who have completed a degree or qualification as a social worker, ‘sosionomi’ (Bachelor of Social Services), ‘geronomi’ (Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care, Elderly Care), rehabilitation instructor or practical nurse in Finland. However, if you have completed your training outside the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA), you must submit your application for the right to practise and all its appendices by post. You can order an EU Certificate (Certificate of Current Professional Status) or an extract from a register of professionals in the online service.

Practical nurses

We recommend using the online service for practical nurses who have completed a Vocational Qualification in Social and Health Care. Practical nurses should submit an application to both the Terhikki and the Suosikki register at the same time. If you cannot find a practical nurse’s qualification in the online service, use the application form and send it to Valvira by e-mail.

Technical instructions

We recommend that you use a computer and updated versions of browsers such as Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome for accessing the online service.

On your first visit, you will need to set up an account that you can also log in to later. You must activate the account via a link that will be sent to you by e-mail.

Once you have entered your language preference and contact details in the online service, you will be able to fill out the application. When you send your application, you will receive a confirmation by e-mail to the address you gave.

Your account will be automatically deleted if it remains inactive for two (2) years. Deletion of your account will not affect any register details, such as information on rights to practise. You will be sent an automated notification before your account is deleted. You can then retain your account by logging in to it again.

If there are decisions or registration certificates in your account, you should download them before the account is deleted. You can always create an account again later if needed.