1.0. Purpose

The procedure establishes the method of registration in the Register of Archaeologists, in accordance with the provisions of art. 3, para. (3) and art. 16, letter j) of OG43/2000 regarding the protection of the archaeological heritage and the declaration of certain archaeological sites as areas of national interest, republished, with subsequent amendments and completions.

2.0. Scope

The procedure is used by the Cultural Heritage Directorate 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 completions.

(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 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 the registration in the Register of Archaeologists

(2) Register = the Register of Archaeologists of Romania.

4.2. Abbreviations

(1) MC = Ministry of Culture.

(2) DPC = Cultural Heritage Directorate.

(3) CNA = National Commission of Archaeology.

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

5.0. Description of the procedure

(1) Certification and registration of specialized persons in the Register is done for the following categories:

a) aspiring archaeologist;

b) specialist archaeologist;

c) expert archaeologist.

(2) Classification into one of the categories listed will be done based on the applicant’s professional assessment criteria and practical experience.

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

a) graduation of postgraduate studies in ancient history, archaeology, or medieval history;

b) PhD in history;

c) published works and presented scientific communications.

(4) The criteria for assessing practical experience considered for classification into one of the listed categories are:

a) undertaking archaeological practice during studies;

b) being a member of an archaeological research team;

c) being the scientific coordinator of a sector within an archaeological site;

d) being the scientific coordinator of a site.

(5) The calculation of the score corresponding to practical experience is established as follows:

a) 0.5 points – for each two-week period on an archaeological site during specialized higher education, certified by a written statement from the site supervisor;

b) 1 point – for each two-week period in which the person participated on 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 the identity document;

c) activity report;

d) list of published works and presented scientific communications;

e) legalized copies of degree diplomas, as well as documents proving completed postgraduate studies or equivalency documents;

f) proof of enrollment in a PhD program;

g) copy of the PhD training program;

h) copy of the PhD diploma.

(7) For certification as an aspiring archaeologist, the file stipulated in art. 11 will additionally include two letters of recommendation from collaborators.

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

Following the verification of the file, the CNA decides, by decision, to grant the certification or reject the application, within a maximum of 30 calendar days from the submission of the complete file. The Commission may extend the term once, for a period of up to 15 calendar days.

The deadline for submitting documents required for completing the file is 15 days from the date of notification.

Failure to submit the documents within the set term will lead to rejection of the certification application.

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 indefinite period.

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

​The certificate issued by the Ministry of Culture results in the registration of the holder in the Register.
​On the basis of the certificate, specialized personnel create their own 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 with the right to practice independently in one of the member states of the European Union may be done based on a request, accompanied by copies of the relevant certification documents for one of the three categories, issued by the competent authorities/institutions, in accordance with the applicable legal provisions in force in that state.

If it is necessary to verify the legality of documents submitted for registration in the Register by the aforementioned persons, the secretariat of the Commission will contact the competent authorities in the relevant Member State of the European Union or the 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 certification as a result of reports submitted by specialists of the decentralized public services of the Ministry of Culture, the specialty department of the ministry, or members of the Commission.

Certification is suspended in the following situations:

a) if legal action has been initiated against the certified person in connection with the activity for which they were certified. In this case, suspension of the certification is applied until the final resolution of the case;

b) when certified persons are responsible for breaches of the Code of Ethics of Archaeologists from 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 breaching the provisions of the Regulation of Archaeological Excavations in Romania;

b) when certified persons have been suspended twice, and for the third time commit similar offenses to those for which previous suspensions were imposed;

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

d) in case of a final conviction for a criminal offense related to the activity for which they were certified.

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

The Commission has the obligation to analyze the notifications within 30 days from their submission.

By the suspension decision, the Commission will set the period for which the certification is suspended, as well as the necessary conditions for the cancellation of the suspension.

Fulfillment of the conditions established according to para. (19) is found by the Commission and determines the end of the suspension of the certification.

The suspension or withdrawal of certification is justified, in writing, by the Commission.

The loss of the capacity as certified and registered specialized person in the Register may also occur in the following situations:

a) upon request, submitted in writing to the Chairman of the Commission;

b) death.

The Commission organizes certification sessions monthly and announces their date and time 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 of the monthly sessions for the purpose of analyzing suspension or withdrawal cases, as well as in other cases.

The degradation, destruction, or loss of the certificate or stamp, as the case may be, must be reported in writing to the secretariat of the Commission within 48 hours of its discovery, and it will also be published in the Official Gazette of Romania, Part III, by the person concerned.

After the announcement is published as provided, the Commission issues a duplicate of the certification or approves, as appropriate, 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 and registered specialized personnel in the Register may request certification updating from the Commission.