This procedure sets out the method for recognizing professional qualification for the practice of the veterinary profession in Romania, in order to ensure a regulated framework for the verification and evaluation of documents submitted by veterinarians who are foreign citizens, for the issuance of decisions recognizing professional qualifications, for record-keeping and monitoring of issued documents. The provisions of this procedure apply to veterinarians who are citizens of third countries or member states who wish to practice the veterinary profession in Romania and hold an official qualification obtained in a third country.

If the applicant, holder of an official qualification obtained in the territory of a third country, has obtained professional recognition in a member state, they shall submit an application for a recognition decision to which shall be attached: a) the document of professional recognition b) a certificate of linguistic competence (ECL) for the Romanian language

The phrase "member states" means the member states of the European Union, any other state belonging to the European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation, as defined in Government Decision no. 79/2008 for the amendment and completion of Government Decision no. 860/2004 on the recognition of the qualification of veterinarian and regulation of certain aspects regarding the practice of the veterinary profession.

The phrase "third countries" refers to countries other than member states as well as those territories of European Union member states for which Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications does not apply.

The College of Veterinarians, as the competent authority for the veterinary profession, recognizes official qualifications by issuing the Decision for the recognition of professional qualifications.

The recognition of official qualifications allows access to practice in Romania after registration in one of the branches of the College of Veterinarians and obtaining the certificate of free practice in the same profession for which the applicant is qualified in their country of origin, as well as performing professional activities in Romania under the legal conditions laid down for Romanian citizens who hold official qualifications in the profession of veterinarian issued by the competent Romanian authorities.

Veterinarians who will practice the profession indefinitely in Romania have the same rights and obligations regarding the practice as veterinarians who are members of the College of Veterinarians and must know the Romanian language, be familiar with and comply with the legal provisions in force regarding the organization and practice of the veterinary profession, administrative regulations in the veterinary-medical field, the Statute of the Veterinarian, the Code of Veterinary Medical Ethics, as well as the regulations of the College of Veterinarians.

After obtaining the Decision for the recognition of professional qualifications, in order to practice the profession of veterinarian in Romania, veterinarians are required to register with the College of Veterinarians and to obtain their certificate of free practice, in compliance with legal provisions.

For the recognition of the professional qualification, the applicant must obligatorily prove that they have Romanian language skills and are a beneficiary of long-term resident status granted by one of the member states. The applicant will take an aptitude test and must prove professional experience/internship of at least 3 years, either in a member state or in a third state.

The aptitude test, which consists of a theoretical multiple-choice test and a practical one, is taken before a commission appointed by decision of the Executive Bureau of the National Council, after confirming the eligibility of the requested documents and proof of Romanian language knowledge.