Recognising qualifications in Румыния

Obtain a certified Romanian translation (traducere autorizată) of all documents

All foreign documents submitted to CNRED or to any Colegiu/Ordin must be accompanied by a certified Romanian translation prepared by a sworn translator (traducător autorizat) registered in Romania. This applies to degree certificates, transcripts, apostilles, and supporting identity documents. Budget 1–2 weeks for translations before submitting your application.

Apostille or legalise your degree and supporting documents

Documents issued in countries that are signatories to the Hague Apostille Convention must bear an apostille issued by the competent authority of the issuing country. Documents from non-signatory countries require full legalisation through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country and the Romanian embassy or consulate. CNRED will not process applications without proper legalisation.

Submit your application to CNRED for academic recognition

Lodge the CNRED application online or in person at the CNRED office in Bucharest. The standard application package includes: the original or certified copy of the degree certificate, official academic transcript, apostille or legalisation, certified Romanian translation of all documents, a copy of your identity document or passport, and the application fee receipt. CNRED will assess the degree against the Romanian Qualifications Framework (CNC) and issue a recognition decision (atestare or echivalare).

Receive the CNRED recognition decision

CNRED issues a formal recognition decision that maps your foreign qualification to its Romanian equivalent, specifying the level (licență, master, doctorat) and field of study. The legal deadline is 30–45 days from receipt of a complete application; in practice, processing can take 2–3 months, particularly during peak periods. For regulated professions, this decision is the mandatory prerequisite for the next step.

For EEA-trained practitioners in sectoral professions: apply directly to the Colegiu/Ordin

If you hold a qualification from an EEA member state in one of the seven sectoral professions (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, architecture, midwifery, veterinary surgery), you may apply directly to the relevant Romanian Colegiu or Ordin for automatic recognition without first obtaining a CNRED decision. Submit your EEA qualification certificate, proof of good standing from your home-country professional body, proof of Romanian language proficiency (typically B2), and identity documents.

Apply to the relevant Colegiu or Ordin for professional registration

Present the CNRED recognition decision (for third-country nationals) or your EEA qualification certificate (for automatic recognition) to the competent professional body — CMR for medicine, CMDR for dentistry, CFR for pharmacy, OAMGMAMR for nursing, OAR for architecture, or UNBR/county bar for law. Submit additional documents required by the Colegiu, including proof of language proficiency, a good-standing certificate from your home-country professional body, criminal record extract, and relevant professional indemnity evidence. The Colegiu/Ordin issues registration on approval.