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The data has been provided by the Member Organisation and to the extent possible are a true reflection of the situation in the country, however not all figures are authoritative and should be interpreted accordingly.
For questions or feedback please contact info@erwcpt.eu
General View
Country Profile
Education
Profession & Practice
CPD & Specialisation
Migration & Mobility
Address
Stadsring 159b
PO Box 248
Amersfoort
3800 AE
Netherlands
Telefon
(31) 33 467 2900
Website
Social media:
Number of Members:
14 077
Europe Region Primary Contact
President / Chair
CEO / General Secretary
Guus Meerhoff / G.Meerhoff@kngf.nl
Lodi Hennink / Voorzitter@kngf.nl
Heleen Post / h.post@kngf.nl
17 811 291
Population
37 461
Practising Physiotherapists
14 077
Physiotherapists' Members
Publications
Newsletters
Yes
Journals
'FysioPraxis'. Official magazine of the KNGF in Dutch language. 10 times / year.
Scientific Publications
Events
Organisation Congress
Annual National Congress Physical Therapy
Other events
Annual National Congresses of Physical Therapy Societies of several specialisations
Entry Level Educational programmes: Those programmes that prepares graduates for entry into practice of physiotherapy. They bring a person to the point of being able to practice as a physiotherapist in the country of education. Entry requirements, length of the education programmes and the final qualification obtained may vary within and across countries.
World Physiotherapy definition: “Entry level physical therapist professional education programmes are those that equip physical therapists to practise as independent professionals. World Physiotherapy recommends that education for entry-level physical therapists should be based on university or university-level studies of a minimum of four years, independently validated and accredited as being at a standard that affords graduates full statutory and professional recognition.”
In some countries it could be a difference between education itself and access to the profession such as possible legal requirements to practice – i.e. registration or training period.
Bachelor
5
School years needed before entering the Physiotherapy Programme
4.0
Years of the Physiotherapy Education Programme
240
ECTS
1st
Correspondent Bologna Cycle
Level 6
Level 6
National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level
European Qualifications Framework (EQF) level
International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED)
Professional Title
English title
National language titles
Physiotherapist
Fysiotherapeut
Practice and Regulation
Professional Autonomy
Standards of practice
Yes
Code of conduct
Yes
Registration required to practice
Yes
Re-registration required
Yes
Re-registration frequency
Every 5 years
CPD required for re-registration
Yes
Permitted to Assess?
Yes
Permitted to Diagnose?
Yes
Permitted to Treat?
Yes
Permitted to Refer on to other specialities/services?
Yes
Permitted to Refer on to other tests or examinations (MRI, Radiography, US)?
No
Access to Physiotherapy
Access to physiotherapy: Ability of a client or patient to be referred to a physiotherapist for assessment and treatment. There are different types:
1. Direct access: The patient/client directly asks the physiotherapist to provide services (The patients refer themselves). The physiotherapist freely decides his conduct and takes full responsibility for it. Also when the physiotherapist has direct access to patients/clients and determines those that need a physiotherapy assessment/intervention without referral from a third party.
2. Access by referral: The patient/client has access to the physiotherapist by referral from another health professional (medical practitioner or other).
3. Access by referral with the freedom to decide intervention: The patient/client has access to the physiotherapist by referral from another health professional. The prescription will not indicate the technical modalities used in the intervention.
4. Access by referral with an imposed programme of intervention: The patient/client has access to the physiotherapist by referral from another health professional. The prescription will include the diagnosis, and will further specify the intervention modalities to be carried out by the physiotherapist. The prescription may also include the number of sessions and their frequency.
Can service users refer/seek directly asks the physiotherapist to provide services (assessment, intervention or treatment)?
Yes
Is Self-referral allowed or possible within the national health system?
No
Is Self-referral allowed or possible outside the national health system?
Yes
In the case a medical/ physician referral is needed, are there limitations?
Yes
Do the expected competencies of graduates from entry-level physical therapy programmes prepare them to accept self-referrals on qualification?
Yes
Clarifications:
Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
Continuing professional development (CPD): Is a systematic, ongoing structured process of maintaining, developing and enhancing skills, knowledge and competence both professionally and personally. The aim is to develop the clinical performance at work. The individual physiotherapist undertakes her/his CPD activity systematically keeping a record of her/his clinical reflection and learning. This process strengthens the personal and professional profile along with quality service to the patient/clients
CPD in the country is:
Mandatory
CPD is monitored by:
Professional Body
What is the CPD approach in the country?
Outcome based (quality of learning e.g. reflective practice, competencies)
Input based (quantity of learning e.g. number hours, days, credit points)
More information on what is recorded
Does the MO offer advice on career pathways to its members?
No
Is this advice in relation to:
Further information on the advise the MO provides
Does the MO offer CPD courses to its members?
Yes
Courses are to
Does the MO survey their members about CPD?
Yes
Who is financing or otherwise supporting CPD?
Self
Employer
Other - Responsible for financing
Who provides the MOST financial support
Clarifications:
Clinical Specialisation
Physiotherapy clinical specialisation recognised?
Yes
Physiotherapy clinical specialisation recognised by
Member Organisation
Health Authorities
Recognised clinical specialisations
1) Cardiorespiratory
2) Manual Therapy
3) Mental Health
4) Pelvic Physiotherapy
5) Older People - Geriatrics
6) Lymphology and Oncology
7) Paediatrics
8) Rehabilitation/Neurological
9) Sports
10)Occupational Health and Ergonomics
11) Orofacial Physiotherapy (no subgroup)
12) Hospital care (no subgroup)
13) Intellectual and Developmental Disability (no subgroup)
Clarifications:
Permanent Stay
Documents you must provide / the application (attachment) or information to be submitted:
If you wish to work as a physiotherapist in the Netherlands on a permanent basis, you will have to submit the following documents:
- completed application form (in Dutch)
- proof of name, date of birth and nationality, e.g. copies of the relevant passport pages
- curriculum vitae, chronologically listing education and work experience
- certified copy or original of your qualification or certificate, and the relevant annexes
- detailed transcript of your study program from the educational institution, indicating the total length of programme and total number of hours for theory and practice
- certificate of current professional status or letter of good standing from the relevant health authorities in your most recent country of work and residence
This document must be less than 3 months old and confirm that you are legally entitled to work as a physiotherapist and have not been suspended, disqualified or prohibited from practising
- if physiotherapy is NOT a regulated profession in your home country, proof that you have worked as a physiotherapist for at least 2 years in the last 10
Submit working contracts or attestations from employers stating that you've been working as a physiotherapist and for how long
- any additional documents or information that might help the Dutch authority assess your qualifications.
If the documents you submit are copies, they must be certified – by the relevant authorities in your home country or a Dutch public notary.All documents must be in Dutch, English, French or German.You can submit documents in other languages, but each must be accompanied by a certified translation, provided by an officially recognised translator in any EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.
You may be able to find an officially recognised translator by contacting the relevantnational translation body.
Responsible authority:
CIBG
Authority for healthcare professionals
Postbus 16114
2500 BC Den Haag Tel +31 70-340 6600.
Link to BIG-register (English version): https://www.bigregister.nl/en/
When can you expect an answer:
Once you have sent your documents, the authorities have:
1 month to acknowledge receipt of your application and request any documents they need
4 months to take a decision, after receiving all necessary documents.
Cost:
Approx. €80 registration fee – to be paid when you are notified that your qualifications have been recognised.
The authority will tell you the payment details during the recognition procedure.
Temporary Stay
Documents you must provide / the application (attachment) or information to be submitted:
If you wish to work as a physiotherapist in the Netherlands on a temporary basis, you will have to submit the following documents:
- written declaration, dated and signed, informing the responsible Dutch authority that you intend to practice in the Netherlands on a temporary and occasional basis. It must clearly state your occupation
The Dutch authorities will check your professional qualifications before you can start practising. The declaration is valid for 1 year
- proof of name, date of birth and nationality, e.g. copies of the relevant passport pages
- curriculum vitae, chronologically listing education and work experience
- certified copy or original of your qualification or certificate, and the relevant annexes
- detailed transcript of your study program from the educational institution, indicating the total length of programme and total number of hours for theory and practice
- certificate of current professional status/letter of good standing from the relevant health authorities in your most recent country of work and residence (less than 3 months old). The certificate must confirm that you are legally entitled to work as a physiotherapist and have not been suspended, disqualified or prohibited from practicing
- if physiotherapy is NOT a regulated profession in your home country, proof that you have worked as a physiotherapist for at least 2 years out of the last 10
Submit working contracts or attestations from employers stating that you've been working as a physiotherapist and for how long
- any additional documents or information that might help the Dutch authority assess your qualifications.
If the documents you submit are copies, they must be certified – by the relevant authorities in your home country or a Dutch public notary.All documents must be in Dutch, English, French or German.
You can submit documents in other languages, but each must be accompanied by a certified translation, provided by an officially recognised translator in any EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.
You may be able to find an officially recognised translator by contacting the relevant national translation body.
Responsible authority:
CIBG
Authority for healthcare professionals
Postbus 16114
2500 BC Den HaagTel +31 70-340 6600.
When can you expect an answer:
Once you have sent your documents, the authorities have:
1 month to acknowledge receipt of your application and request any documents they need
2 months to take a decision, after receiving of necessary documents.
Cost:
€80 registration fee – to be paid when you are notified that your qualifications have been recognised.
The authority will tell you the payment details during the recognition procedure.
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