Apply for authorisation as a Pharmacist (Provisorfarmasøyt) – educated outside the EU/EEA

Applicants from Pakistan: Due to a large number of applications received in recent years, as well as challenges with document control, the Norwegian Directorate of Health has spent a long-time verifying document issued in Pakistan. Applicants must still expect long processing times. This is because applications are processed individually and in the order in which they are received. We cannot take visa applications into account in the processing of cases.

Before you apply

For those educated outside the EU/EEA, additional requirements must be met before authorisation can be granted. It is important that you are familiar with the requirements, and the fees that comes with it, before you apply for authorisation.

Have you previously received a decision to complete additional requirements but haven't managed to do so within the deadline?

Extension of deadline for additional requirements

Have you received a decision with information to complete additional requirements within three years?
Read more about the requirements for an extension and how to apply here: Extension of the deadline to undergo complete the additional requirements

Minimum requirements for authorisation as a pharmacist

One of the key conditions for being granted authorisation as a pharmacist (master’s level) in Norway is that your pharmacy education must have a duration of at least five years. The education must also include at least six months of integrated and mandatory pharmacy practice. This means that pharmacy practice must be a formal part of your pharmacy studies.

Another essential requirement is that your pharmacy education must include an integrated master’s thesis worth at least 45 ECTS credits. The master’s thesis must be listed on your official transcript as part of your pharmacy degree.

The Norwegian Directorate of Health assesses each application individually, but has observed that a master’s degree without integrated pharmacy practice and a master’s thesis worth at least 45 ECTS credits does not meet the requirements for authorisation as a pharmacist in Norway.

Additionally, obtaining a master’s degree in Norway or another country in a field other than pharmacy does not typically grant an exemption for a missing thesis in your pharmacy education. Nor does it result in shorter processing times. The evaluation of your application is based on your pharmacy education, and the processing time will be the same as for all applicants educated outside the EEA.

Documents you must submit when applying

Diploma / Certificate og graduation
Transcript/Diploma Supplement
Documentation of completed master`s thesis/scientific research work
a) The thesis must be an integral part of your degree.
b) The scope of the thesis must be stated in your transcript and approved by your educational institution.
Documentation of completed Integrated pharmacy practice as part of your education
a) The pharmacy practice must be part of your education and must be reflected in your transcript.
Exception: If you have an education from Serbia, you must submit documentation of completed and passed state exam. This also serves as confirmation that you have completed integrated pharmacy practice.

Additional documentation (if applicable):

Approval showing that you have the right to practice as a pharmacist from the country of education and/or another country (registration/ authorisation / license)
Work certificate from a pharmacy that gives a detailed description regarding your tasks. The certificate must be issued by your employer, and it must state job title, period of employment, job percentage and a description regarding your work tasks and responsibilities. Employment contracts, CV or recommendation letters are not sufficient documentation. Furthermore, the certificate must:
a) Be issued with the workplace's letterhead and/or stamp.
b) Be signed by the relevant manager or leader at the workplace. The manager's or leaders name and position must be typed in addition to the signature. 
c) Contain the workplace's contact information. 
Syllabus, a detailed description of the study curriculum or course content, from your years of education. The description of the course content must state the admission requirements, educational level, subjects taught, description of each subject, and duration.

The Norwegian Directorate of Health may in some cases request further information and documentation than what is mentioned here.

NB! In some countries, the educational institution must send transcript directly to the Directorate of Health or the authorities must certify the documents before sending them to the Directorate of Health. You can find information about which countries this applies to at the bottom of the page.

Verification of documents from Pakistan

Do you have educational documents, internship certificates, or work certificates from Pakistan? These must be verified through DataFlow Group to be considered in your application. You are responsible for ensuring that your documents are verified through DataFlow. More information about the verification process and which documents need to be verified can be found at the bottom of this page: Other countries of education with special documentation requirements

Please note the following regarding your documents

All documents must be scanned as PDF-copies of the original documents. If the original documents are in colour, the scanned copies attached to the application must also be in colour. Photographs of documents will not be accepted.
If an original document has multiple pages, all scanned pages must be assemled into one document and in the correct order.
All pages must be rotated correctly.
All original documents that are not in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English must be translated into one of these languages by a authorised translator. The translation must be scanned/submitted in the same file as the original document.

Any attempt to obtain recognition with fraudulent documents will be reported to the police.

You apply in Altinn

Application form: Authorisation and licence (altinn.no)

NB! Applicants without a Norwegian national ID or D number must use alternative login in Altinn.

You must attach a scanned copy of passport or European ID card in your application.
First name and surname in the application form must be the same as in the passport/ID card, and be written in the same order.

User manual Altinn - Application for authorisation and license (PDF)

You pay the processing fee when you apply

You must pay a processing fee of NOK 1.665,-

You pay the fee in Altinn when you register your application.

Processing time is 13 months

If your application is incomplete, the processing time will be extended
The processing time is based on the country you obtained your degree in

If you have worked in another EEA country with the full right to the profession continuously for at least 3 years, you can inform us about this by sending an e-mail to: godkjenning@helsedir.no

Unique documentation requirements for some countries

Applicants who have completed their education in one of the countries listed below must ask their educational institution to send the transcript directly to The Norwegian Directorate of Health:

1. Afghanistan
2. The Democratic Republic of Congo
3. Eritrea
4. Ethiopia
5. Hong Kong
6. Yemen
7. Cameroon
8. Liberia
9. Libya
10. Nigeria
11. Sierra Leone
12. Somalia
13. Taiwan
14. United States

The Norwegian Directorate of Health cannot receive and accept letters and packages where fees, customs duties etc. are required. Transcript must be sent by post to:

The Norwegian Directorate of Health,
Department of Authorisation,
PB 220 Skøyen,
0213 Oslo,
Norway.

The educational institution must provide contact information (name, e-mail address and telephone number) to at least one person from the institution.

Authorisation and License for Health Personnel