Working as a social welfare or health care professional
The right to practise as a social welfare or health care professional is granted by Valvira on application to professionals trained in Finland and abroad.
Social welfare and health care professionals are divided into legalised professionals and professionals using a protected occupational title. Only persons duly legalised by Valvira are allowed to perform the duties of legalised social welfare and health care professionals. By contrast, duties in positions under a protected occupational title in social welfare and health care may also be performed by professionals who have not registered a protected occupational title. When an employer hires a person to work as a professional under a protected occupational title, the employer is responsible for ascertaining that the person hired is competent to undertake those duties.
Health care professionals
| Licenced professionals | Protected occupational titles |
|---|---|
| pharmaceutical dispenser | assistive device technician |
| physiotherapist | podiatrist |
| dentist | chiropractor |
| dental technician | certified massage therapist |
| midwife | practical nurse |
| laboratory nurse | naprapath |
| physician | osteopath |
| optician | psychotherapist |
| pharmacist | hospital physicist |
| psychologist | hospital geneticist |
| specialised dental practitioner | hospital chemist |
| specialist doctor | hospital microbiologist |
| speech therapist | hospital cell biologist |
| nutritionist | |
| radiology nurse | |
| registered nurse | |
| oral hygienist | |
| public health nurse | |
| occupational therapist |
Social welfare professionals
| Licenced professionals | Protected occupational titles |
|---|---|
| social worker | practical nurse |
| social service professional (sosionomi) | home support worker |
| professional of applied gerontology (geronomi) | disability support worker |
| rehabilitation councellor |
If you wish to apply for the right to practise as a social welfare or health care professional, please see our website for application instructions.