1.0. Purpose

The procedure establishes the method of registration in the Register of Archaeologists, according to the provisions of art. 3, para. (3) and art. 16, letter j) of OG 43/2000 regarding the protection of the archaeological heritage and the declaration of certain archaeological sites as areas of national interest, republished, with subsequent amendments and additions.

2.0. Scope of application

The procedure is used by the Directorate of Cultural Heritage and the National Commission of Archaeology.

3.0. Reference documents

(1) OG 43/2000 regarding the protection of the archaeological heritage and the declaration of certain archaeological sites as areas of national interest, republished, with subsequent amendments and additions.

(2) ORDER no. 2494 of August 26, 2010 for the approval of the Methodology regarding the certification of specialized personnel in the field of archaeological research and their registration in the Register of Archaeologists, published in the Official Gazette, no. 631 of September 8, 2010

4.0. Definitions and abbreviations

4.1. Definitions

(1) Certification = the procedure for certifying specialized personnel in the field of archaeological research and their registration in the Register of Archaeologists

(2) Register = Register of Archaeologists of Romania.

4.2. Abbreviations

(1) MC = Ministry of Culture.

(2) DPC = Directorate of Cultural Heritage.

(3) CNA = National Commission of Archaeology.

(4) File = the file submitted by the applicant for registration or advancement to a higher category in the Register of Archaeologists

5.0. Procedure description

(1) Certification of specialized individuals and their registration in the Register is carried out for the following categories:

a) beginner archaeologist;

b) specialist archaeologist;

c) expert archaeologist.

(2) Assignment to one of the listed categories is based on the criteria of professional assessment and practical experience of the applicant

(3) The professional assessment criteria considered for assignment to one of the listed categories are:

a) graduation from postgraduate education in ancient history, archaeology, medieval history;

b) doctorate in history;

c) published works and scientific presentations delivered.

(4) The practical experience assessment criteria considered for assignment to one of the listed categories are:

a) performance of archaeological practice during studies;

b) being a member of an archaeological research team;

c) role as scientific manager of a sector within an archaeological site;

d) role as scientific manager of a site.

(5) Calculation of the score corresponding to practical experience is determined as follows:

a) 0.5 points - for each time unit of two weeks at an archaeological site during specialist higher education studies, certified by a written statement from the site manager;

b) 1 point - for each time unit of two weeks in which the individual participated at an archaeological site after registration in the Register.

(6) For certification, interested persons will submit to the Commission's secretariat a file that will include:

a) certification request;

b) copy of ID card;

c) activity report;

d) list of published works and scientific presentations delivered;

e) legalized copies of bachelor’s degrees, as well as documents proving postgraduate education completed or equivalence documents;

f) certificate of enrollment for doctorate;

g) copy of doctorate training program;

h) copy of doctorate diploma.

(7) For certification as a beginner archaeologist, the file provided at art. 11 will additionally include two letters of recommendation from individuals with whom the applicant collaborated.

5.2. Verification of completeness and correctness of the submitted documentation:

After verifying the file, CNA decides, by resolution, to grant certification or reject the request, within a maximum of 30 calendar days from the submission of the complete file. The Commission may extend the deadline only once, for a maximum period of 15 calendar days.

The deadline for submitting documents requested to complete the file is 15 days from the date of notification.

Failure to submit documents within the prescribed time leads to rejection of the certification request.

The rejection decision is justified in writing by the Commission and can be contested within 5 days from the date of notification.

Certification is granted for an undetermined period.

​Within 30 days from the date of issuing the decision to grant certification, the Ministry of Culture will issue a certificate.

​The certificate issued by the Ministry of Culture results in registering the holder in the Register.
​Based on the certificate, the specialized personnel make their individual stamp according to the category for which they were certified, ​The certificates and stamps are non-transferable.

Registration in the Register of persons certified as archaeologists entitled to independent practice in one of the member states of the European Union can be done as a result of application, accompanied by copies of the corresponding certification documents for one of the 3 categories, issued by the competent authorities/institutions, in accordance with the legal provisions in force in the respective state.

If it is necessary to verify the legality of documents submitted for registration in the Register by the persons mentioned, the Commission's secretariat contacts the competent authorities from the respective member state of the European Union or European Economic Area, through the Internal Market Information System (IMI).

Situations regarding suspension or withdrawal of certification

The Commission may decide to suspend or withdraw the certification, following reports made by specialists from the deconcentrated public services of the Ministry of Culture or the specialized directorate in the ministry or by members of the Commission.

Certification is suspended in the following cases:

a) if criminal proceedings have been initiated against the certified person in connection with the activity for which they were certified. In this case, suspension of the certificate is ordered until definitive resolution of the case;

b) when certified persons are guilty of breaching the Code of Ethics of Archaeologists in Romania;

c) if certified persons conduct unauthorized archaeological research, according to the law.

Certification is withdrawn in the following cases:

a) when certified persons are guilty of violating the provisions of the Regulation of Archaeological Excavations in Romania;

b) when certified persons have been suspended twice, and a third time commit actions similar to those for which previous suspensions were ordered;

c) when certified persons validate, by signature and stamp, documents for areas of activity in which they are not certified or continue activity during the suspension period;

d) in the case of definitive conviction for criminal act related to the activity for which they were certified.

The report will be submitted to the Commission for analysis, which may decide to close the report, suspend or withdraw certification, as appropriate.

The Commission is obliged to analyze reports within 30 days of their submission.

By the suspension decision, the Commission will determine the period for which certification is suspended, as well as the conditions necessary for lifting the suspension.

The fulfillment of the conditions ordered according to para. (19) is determined by the Commission and leads to the termination of the suspension of certification.

Suspension or withdrawal of certification is justified in writing by the Commission.

Loss of status as certified specialized person registered in the Register may also occur in the following situations:

a) at request, submitted in writing to the Commission president;

b) death.

The Commission organizes certification sessions monthly and announces the date and time of their conduct by posting at the headquarters of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and/or on its own website.

The Commission may also meet outside the monthly sessions for the purpose of analyzing situations of suspension or withdrawal of certification, as well as in other cases.

Degradation, destruction, or loss of the certificate or the stamp, as applicable, shall be reported in writing to the Commission’s secretariat, within 48 hours of ascertainment and will also be published in the Official Gazette of Romania, Part III, by the concerned person.

After publication of the announcement provided, the Commission issues a duplicate of the certificate or approves, as applicable, the making of a new stamp, based on a written request, accompanied by a copy of the announcement published in the Official Gazette of Romania, Part III.

Certificates issued so far remain valid.

Certified specialized personnel registered in the Register can request the Commission to update the certificates.