The translation of this document is outdated.
Translation validity: 17.02.2010.–05.07.2010.
Amendments not included:
03.06.2010.,
27.01.2011.,
31.03.2011.,
07.04.2011.,
16.06.2011.,
05.12.2013.,
12.11.2015.,
11.02.2016.,
16.02.2017.,
30.03.2017.,
21.06.2018.,
11.04.2019.,
10.09.2020.
Text consolidated by Valsts valodas centrs (State
Language Centre) with amending laws of:
23 October 2003;
8 April 2004;
4 November 2004;
17 November 2005;
2 November 2006;
13 December 2007;
17 July 2008; 14 January 2010.
If a whole or part of a section has been amended, the
date of the amending law appears in square brackets at
the end of the section. If a whole section, paragraph or
clause has been deleted, the date of the deletion appears
in square brackets beside the deleted section, paragraph
or clause.
|
The Saeima1 has adopted
and the President has proclaimed the following Law:
On the
Regulated Professions and the Recognition of Professional
Qualifications
Part A
Regulated Professions in the Republic of Latvia
Chapter I
General Provisions
Section 1. Terms Used in this
Law
The following terms are used in this Law:
1) adaptation period - a period during which a person
having obtained a professional qualification in a foreign state
(hereinafter - applicant) works in a regulated profession in the
Republic of Latvia under the supervision of a qualified
representative of the relevant profession. The length of such
period shall not exceed three years and shall end in the work
assessment of the applicant;
2) [17 July 2008];
3) [17 July 2008];
4) certificate of competence - a document certifying
qualification issued by a competent authority in accordance with
the procedures specified by law, in which the following is
indicated:
a) the education of a person, for which a diploma of higher
education, a diploma for the first level higher vocational
education or a certificate of vocational education within the
meaning of this Law is not issued, or
b) a positive assessment of the abilities, experience and
knowledge of a person which are necessary in order to perform
continuous work in the relevant profession;
5) aptitude test - an assessment of the professional
knowledge of the applicant performed by institutions which issue
the certificates of the recognition of a professional
qualification in the regulated professions. The aim of the test
is to evaluate the abilities of the applicant to work in the
regulated profession in the Republic of Latvia;
6) home country - the country in which the
applicant obtained his or her professional qualification. If a
citizen of a European Union Member State has partly or completely
obtained a professional qualification outside the European Union,
the European Union Member State in which this professional
qualification was recognised the first time, shall be regarded as
the home country;
7) self-employed person - a person who earns employment
income independently, without entering into contractual
employment relations with an employer, and does not occupy a
position that gives the right to remuneration;
8) [17 July 2008];
9) professional qualification certificate - a document
issued by an authorised institution in accordance with the
procedures specified by law, which certifies the professional
qualification or specific level of the professional qualification
of the owner thereof, or certifies that the owner thereof has
successfully fulfilled the certification requirements for the
acquisition of a specific profession or professional
specialisation (including work involving new materials, machinery
and technology);
10) professional experience - previous actual and
lawful work in the relevant profession in the Republic of Latvia,
as well as a European Union Member State or another foreign
state, if it is prescribed by law or international agreements
approved by the Saeima;
11) regulated education - any specially organised
education for the acquisition of specific profession, the
structure and level of the programme of which in the Republic of
Latvia, other European Union Member States and member states of
the European Free Trade Association is prescribed by legal acts
and is approved and controlled by institutions authorised for
this purpose;
12) regulated profession - professional activities
regulated in the Republic of Latvia or the aggregate of regulated
professional activities in the professions specified in this Law,
as well as such professional activities or aggregate of regulated
professional activities in other European Union Member States and
member states of the European Free Trade Association, for the
commencement and performance of which a requirement for an
adequate professional qualification has been put forward in the
legal acts of the relevant state;
13) speciality - the field of activities corresponding
to the profession, in which the relevant person has obtained the
professional qualification. The narrowest field of the relevant
speciality forms a sub-speciality or professional specialisation,
but the field which is common to two or more specialities forms
additional speciality;
14) [17 July 2008];
15) regulated professional activity - an activity which
in aggregate or a separate type of which has special requirements
specified in the regulatory enactments regulating the relevant
field of professional activities in relation to education,
documents certifying the professional qualification or the use of
the title of the professional activity of the performer of
professional activity.
[4 November 2004; 17 July 2008]
Section 2. Purpose and Operation of
this Law
(1) The purpose of this Law is:
1) to ensure the conformity of professional activities with
specific quality requirements and criteria, if these activities
are related to the protection of public interests, the safety and
the protection of health thereof;
2) to protect individual socially important professions from
the involvement of unqualified persons therein, determining
higher requirements for these professions;
3) to ensure the opportunity for professional qualifications
obtained in the Republic of Latvia to be recognised in foreign
states and the professional qualifications obtained in foreign
states to be recognised in the Republic of Latvia; and
4) to promote free movement of persons in the European Union
Member States and the member states of the European Free Trade
Association.
(2) The Law determines the regulated professions, as well as
the basic requirements to be observed for the recognition of the
qualifications obtained in these professions in the Republic of
Latvia and in foreign states.
(3) The provisions of the Law regarding the requirements to be
put forward for education and professional qualification shall
apply to natural persons who wish to commence work in the
regulated professions or to work therein independently as
self-employed persons or employees.
(4) The provisions of this Law regarding the recognition of
professional qualifications for citizens of the European Union
Member States obtained in the relevant foreign states shall apply
to citizens and non-citizens of Latvia who have acquired their
education and professional qualifications in foreign states.
(5) The provisions of this Law regarding the recognition of
professional qualifications shall apply to stateless persons who
have received a travel document of a stateless person issued in
foreign states, as well as to refugees and persons who have been
granted alternative status.
(6) The same provisions of this Law which apply to the
citizens of the European Union Member States shall apply to the
citizens of those states which, in accordance with the Agreement
on the European Economic Area, have the rights of the European
Union Member States specified in the referred to agreement in the
field of the recognition of professional qualifications and to
citizens of the Swiss Confederation.
(7) The provisions of this Law shall not apply to:
1) cases where activities in the regulated professions are
related to the performance of the functions of State
administration or the judicial power; or
2) professions which, in accordance with the law or Cabinet
regulations, have been put forward any of the requirements
referred to in Section 3, Paragraph five of this Law, but the
evidence of education or formal qualification necessary for the
regulated professions have not been indicated.
(8) The same provisions of this Law which apply to the
citizens of the European Union Member States shall apply to the
citizens of those states which, in accordance with the
international agreements approved by the Saeima, have the
rights of the European Union Member States specified in these
agreements in the field of the recognition of professional
qualifications and to citizens of the Swiss Confederation.
[4 November 2004; 13 December 2007;
17 July 2008]
Section 3. General Requirements for
Education, Professional Qualification and Activities in the
Regulated Professions
(1) The minimum requirements for the education programmes of
the regulated professions shall be determined by the law and
Cabinet regulations.
(2) Such person has the right to work in a regulated
profession who has acquired an accredited education programme
corresponding to this profession or obtained a professional
qualification and it is certified by evidence of education or
formal qualification, which is specified in the law and has been
issued in the Republic of Latvia, or evidence of education or
formal qualification issued in other states, which is recognised
in the Republic of Latvia in accordance with this Law and the
international agreements approved by the Saeima.
(3) Evidence of education and formal qualification issued by
the educational institutions of the former U.S.S.R. shall be
recognised in the Republic of Latvia, except:
1) the documents issued by educational institutions of the
former Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the All Union
Leninist Communist Youth League; and
2) the documents which do not conform with the requirements
put forward for education and professional qualification in the
international conventions and international agreements approved
by the Saeima.
(4) The rights of a person who is preparing to commence work
in a regulated profession for the first time may be restricted by
the law or Cabinet regulations, determining the requirement to
work under the supervision of a certified (licensed) specialist
or to work without the right of use of the title corresponding to
the profession or determining restrictions for activities in the
status of a self-employed person for a period of time which does
not exceed five years. These provisions shall not apply to a
person whose evidence of education and formal qualification
obtained in a foreign state has been recognised in accordance
with the procedures specified in this Law.
(5) The following additional requirements may be put forward
in the law or Cabinet regulations for the commencement of work,
independent activities in a profession or for activities in the
status of a self-employed person for individual regulated
professions:
1) the giving of an oath or solemn declaration;
2) the observation of the professional code of ethics;
3) an appropriate reputation, a person does not have a
criminal record, he or she has not been imposed administrative
fines or disciplinary measures in relation to violations of the
norms of the relevant professional activities;
4) adequate health;
5) insurance against civil legal liability or financial
risk;
6) an appropriate level of knowledge of the official
language;
7) regular repeated professional certification
(re-certification) or attestation, which is performed after a
specific period of time; or
8) additional provisions for activities in the status of a
self-employed person, including the necessity of a special
licence for separate types of activities.
[23 October 2003; 4 November
2004]
Section 4. Regulation of Professions
in Professional Organisations
In professions which are regulated by the requirements for
professional qualification specified by professional
organisations authorised by the law or Cabinet regulations, the
relevant professional organisations shall:
1) issue evidence of formal qualification and grant the right
to use the title corresponding to the profession and
qualification;
2) ensure the retention of high criteria for professional
qualification and the maintenance and raising of qualification in
the relevant field of activities; and
3) develop and approve the norms of the ethics of the
profession in the relevant field of activities and ensure the
observation of these norms.
Section 5. Protection of the
Regulated Professions and the Titles of Professional
Specialisations
The use of the titles of the regulated professions specified
in this Law and the specialities, sub-specialities or additional
specialities thereof is only permitted in cases where the
relevant person has an adequate evidence of education and formal
qualifications specified by law. This provision shall also apply
to the titles of positions, if they are identical to the titles
referred to in this Section.
Section 6. Competence of the Cabinet
in the Determination of Regulated Professions and the
Requirements to be Put Forward Thereto
The Cabinet shall:
1) approve the lists of specialities, sub-specialities and
additional specialities for the regulated professions indicated
in the law, if no other procedures for approval of these lists
have been specified by law; and
2) determine the minimum requirements for education programmes
or the requirements in relation to the professional knowledge and
skills in those regulated professions and specialities in which
it is necessary for the recognition of professional qualification
in foreign states. The referred to requirements shall be included
in the relevant standards of professions and education
programmes.
Chapter
II
Requirements for Education and Professional Qualification in the
Regulated Professions in the Field of Architecture and
Construction
Section 7. Regulated Professions in
the Field of Architecture and Construction
(1) In the field of architecture, the profession of architect
is regulated, in which the minimum requirements for the
acquisition of the professional qualification are determined by
the Cabinet.
(2) In the field of construction, the regulated professions,
in which the qualification requirements are determined by
accredited education programmes and in cases specified by the law
- the provisions for professional certification, shall be as
follows:
1) construction engineer - in specialities which are
determined by the laws in the field of construction;
2) construction technician - in specialities which are
determined by the laws in the field of construction;
3) [4 November 2004].
Section 8. General Requirements for
Education and Professional Qualification of Architects
(1) The right of a person to commence activities in the
profession of architect shall be certified by a diploma of higher
education issued by a university-type institution of higher
education regarding the acquisition of an accredited study
programme in architecture.
(2) The education of architect shall conform to the following
conditions:
1) the minimum total duration of the acquisition of education
in a university-type institution of higher education is full-time
studies for four years or full-time or part-time studies for six
years, of which at least three years are full-time studies;
and
2) the studies referred to in Clause 1 of this Paragraph end
in successful passing of examinations corresponding to an
architect's diploma or the requirements for academic degree, the
issuance of a diploma and the awarding of the title of the
profession.
(3) The education of architect may also be acquired by gradual
raising of qualification or by acquiring the study programme
referred to in Paragraph one of this Section with interruptions,
which ends in successful passing of examinations if the person
has worked under the supervision of a certified architect or with
a merchant who provides architectural services, for at least
seven years. Examinations shall conform to the requirements
referred to in Paragraph two, Clause 2 of this Section, which are
applied to education of full-time studies.
(4) In order to acquire the right to independent practice in
the field of architecture, the relevant person, in addition to
the diploma of higher education issued by a university-type
institution of higher education referred to in Paragraph one of
this Section, shall require an architect's practice certificate
awarded in accordance with the Construction Law, which certifies
that the relevant person has, under the supervision of a
certified architect, acquired the knowledge and skills necessary
for independent practice.
(5) In accordance with the procedures specified by the law,
the title of the profession of architect may also be awarded for
exceptional achievements in the field of architecture if the
conditions of this Section have only been fulfilled partly. In
such cases the professional qualification certificate of
architect, which gives the same rights as the education
determined in this Section, shall be issued.
[4 November 2004; 17 November
2005]
Chapter
III
Requirements for Education and Professional Qualification in the
Regulated Professions in the Field of Health Care
Section 9. Regulated Professions in
the Field of Health Care
(1) In the field of health care, the regulated professions,
for which the minimum requirements for the acquisition of
professional qualification are determined by the Cabinet, shall
be as follows:
1) a doctor;
2) a dental practitioner;
3) a pharmacist;
4) a nurse (medical nurse); and
5) a midwife.
(2) In the field of health care, the regulated professions, in
which the qualification requirements are determined by accredited
education programmes and in cases specified by the law - the
provisions for professional certification, shall be as
follows:
1) a doctor's assistant (paramedic);
2) a pharmacist's assistant;
3) a laboratory assistant;
4) a dental technician;
5) a dental hygienist;
6) a physiotherapist;
7) an occupational therapist;
8) an optometrist;
9) a physiotherapist's assistant;
10) an occupational therapist's assistant;
11) a riding therapist;
12) a riding therapist's assistant;
13) a technical orthopaedist;
14) a cosmetician;
15) a dentist's assistant;
16) a nurse's assistant;
17) a dental nurse;
18) a speech therapist;
19) a radiology assistant; and
20) a dietician.
(3) The clinical and practical sections of medical education
(including that which may be acquired in residency) in the
medical professions and specialities referred to in this Section
shall be implemented by medical treatment institutions and
medical practitioners, which have obtained the right to educate
medical practitioners in accordance with the procedures specified
in regulatory enactments.
[4 November 2004; 2 November 2006;
17 July 2008]
Section 10. General Requirements for
Education of Doctors
(1) The right of a person in accordance with the competence
specified in regulatory enactments to pursue independent
professional activities in the profession of doctor shall be
certified by a diploma of higher education regarding the
acquisition of an accredited full-time medical study programme
and the inclusion of the person in the Register of Medical
Practitioners. The right of a person to practice in any of the
primary specialities, sub-specialities or additional specialities
of the profession of doctor shall be certified by a diploma of
higher education regarding the acquisition of an accredited
full-time medical study programme, a professional qualification
certificate, which has been obtained in accordance with the
procedures specified by the Medical Treatment Law, and the
inclusion of the person in the Register of Medical
Practitioners.
(2) Persons with secondary education shall be accepted in
medical study programmes, which gives the right to study at a
university-type institution of higher education.
(3) The minimum duration of a study programme for the
acquisition of a diploma of higher medical education shall be six
years or 5500 contact hours.
(4) Higher medical education shall ensure adequate knowledge
for the profession of doctor in the key sectors, clinical
disciplines and practice of medicine, as well as adequate
clinical experience.
(5) [4 November 2004]
[4 November 2004; 17 July 2008]
Section 11. General Requirements for
the Residency Education Programme for Doctors Entitled to
Practice
The general requirements for the residency education programme
for doctors entitled to practice, after the acquisition of which
a diploma of higher medical education is issued or another
equivalent certification of qualification is obtained, shall be
as follows:
1) such persons shall be accepted in this programme who have
acquired the study programme referred to in Section 10 of this
Law; and
2) the programme includes theoretical and practical knowledge
in accordance with an accredited residency education programme
and may be acquired at a university-type institution of higher
education, clinic or, if the conditions are appropriate, in
another medical treatment institution, which conforms to the
requirements referred to in Section 9, Paragraph three of this
Law.
Section 12. General Requirements for
Education of Dental Practitioners
(1) [4 November 2004]
(2) The right of a person to practice independent professional
activities in the profession of dental practitioner and the right
to practice in a speciality of the profession and in any of the
sub-specialities of dental practitioner shall be certified by a
diploma of higher education regarding the acquisition of a
full-time dentistry study programme, a diploma of medical
education regarding the acquisition of an accredited dentistry
residency education programme, a professional qualification
certificate, the conditions for the acquisition of which are
regulated by the Medical Treatment Law, and the inclusion of the
person in the Register of Medical Practitioners.
(3) Education in dentistry shall be an accredited study
programme acquired in full-time studies, the minimum duration of
which is five years.
(4) Persons with secondary education shall be accepted in the
dentistry study programme, which gives the right to study at a
university-type institution of higher education.
(5) Education in dentistry shall ensure the knowledge and
skills which are necessary for the performance of all the
activities which include the prophylaxis, diagnosis and medical
treatment of diseases of the teeth, alveolar ridges and the
mucous membrane of the oral cavity, jaw and the tissue related
thereto.
[4 November 2004]
Section 13. General Requirements for
the Residency Education Programmes of Dentistry
Sub-specialities
(1) [4 November 2004]
(2) The general requirements for the residency education
programme of dentistry sub-speciality, after the acquisition of
which a diploma of higher medical education is issued or another
equivalent certification of qualification is obtained, shall be
as follows:
1) such persons shall be accepted in this programme who have
acquired the study programme referred to in Section 12 of this
Law; and
2) the programme includes theoretical and practical knowledge,
which is acquired in full-time studies according to an accredited
residency education programme.
Section 14. General Requirements for
Education of Nurses
(1) The right of a person to pursue professional activities in
the profession of nurse shall be certified by a diploma of
secondary vocational education or a diploma of the first level
vocational higher education, or a diploma of higher education
regarding the acquisition of an accredited study programme for
nurses, which conforms to the requirements of Paragraph three of
this Section, and the inclusion of the person in the Register of
Medical Practitioners.
(2) The right of a person to pursue independent professional
activities in the specialities of the profession of nurse, in
addition to the diplomas referred to in Paragraph one of this
Section, shall be certified by a professional qualification
certificate, the provisions for the acquisition of which are
regulated by the Medical Treatment Law, and the inclusion of the
person in the Register of Medical Practitioners.
(3) The minimum duration of an education programme for nurses
shall be:
1) at a nursing school or medical college - full-time studies
for three years or 4600 theoretical and clinical contact hours,
the duration of the theoretical training representing at least
one-third and the practical training - at least one half of the
total duration of the training; or
2) at an institution of higher education after the acquisition
of secondary general education - four years.
(4) Persons with secondary education shall be accepted in any
education programme for nurses, which gives the right to study at
a university-type institution of higher education.
(5) An education programme for nurses shall include knowledge
in the branches of science on which the care of patients is
based, knowledge of the nature and the ethics of the profession,
as well as an adequate clinical experience.
(6) The clinical education of nurses shall be organised in
medical treatment institutions (including domestic patient care)
as education during the course of work under the management of
qualified nurses and by co-operation with other medical
practitioners.
(7) Each subject (course) in the study programme for nurses of
an institution of higher education shall ensure a sufficient
proportion of theoretical education, which conforms to university
education and ensures broad knowledge base for the acquisition of
specialities and new technologies in further professional
activities.
(8) The right of a person to pursue independent professional
activities in the profession of dental nurse shall be certified
by a diploma of secondary vocational education, a professional
qualification certificate, the provisions for the acquisition of
which are regulated by the Medical Treatment Law, and the
inclusion of the person in the Register of Medical
Practitioners.
[4 November 2004]
Section 15. General Requirements for
Education of Midwives
(1) [4 November 2004]
(2) The right of a person to pursue independent professional
activities and the right to specialist practice in the profession
of midwife shall be certified by a diploma of secondary
vocational education or a diploma of the first level vocational
higher education, or a diploma of higher education regarding the
acquisition of an accredited study programme for midwives, which
conforms to the requirements of Paragraph four or six of this
Section, a professional qualification certificate, the provisions
for the acquisition of which are regulated by the Medical
Treatment Law, and the inclusion of the person in the Register of
Medical Practitioners.
(3) Persons with secondary education, which gives the right to
study at a university-type institution of higher education, or
with the education of nurse, shall be accepted in the education
programme for midwives.
(4) If the acquisition of the education programme for midwives
is commenced with secondary education, the minimum duration
thereof shall be full-time studies for three years or 4600
theoretical and clinical contact hours, the duration of the
theoretical training representing at least one third and the
practical training - at least one half of the total duration of
the training. This education programme shall comprise knowledge
in those branches of sciences on which the professional
activities of midwives are based, knowledge of the ethics of the
profession and the regulatory enactments in the field of
professional activities, as well as the practical skills and
clinical experience corresponding to the referred to
knowledge.
(5) The clinical education of midwives shall be organised in
medical treatment institutions (including domestic patient care)
as education during the course of work under the management of
qualified midwives and by co-operating with other medical
practitioners.
(6) If the acquisition of the education programme for midwives
is commenced after the acquisition of the education programme for
nurses in accordance with the requirements referred to in Section
14 of this Law, the minimum duration thereof shall be 18 months
or 3000 contact hours. This education programme shall be acquired
in full-time studies and the minimum thereof shall be the
subjects and courses conforming with the requirements of
Paragraphs three and four of this Section, which do not form part
of equivalent subjects and courses in the education programme for
nurses.
[4 November 2004]
Section 16. General Requirements for
Education of Pharmacists
(1) The right of a person to commence the professional
activities of pharmacist shall be certified by a diploma of
higher education regarding the acquisition of an accredited
vocational or academic study programme for pharmacists.
(2) The education of pharmacists shall be supplemented by
professional experience in the relevant field, if higher
requirements are put forward for individual types of professional
activities in the regulatory enactments regulating the field of
pharmacy.
(3) Persons with secondary education shall be accepted in the
study programmes for pharmacists, which gives the right to study
at a university-type institution of higher education.
(4) The diploma of the education of pharmacist shall certify
that the owner thereof has acquired a study programme in the
duration of at least five years, which comprises:
1) a university education of at least four years in duration;
or
2) traineeship for at least six subsequent months in a
general-type or open-type pharmacy or in a closed-type pharmacy
or a pharmacy of a medical treatment institution.
(5) The diploma of the education of pharmacist shall certify
that the relevant person has acquired appropriate theoretical and
practical knowledge regarding medicinal products and substances
which are used in the production of medicinal products, regarding
the pharmaceutical technology and control, the use of medicinal
products and regarding the regulatory enactments in the field of
pharmacy.
[4 November 2004]
Section 17. General Requirements for
Education of Optometrists
(1) The right of a person to commence the professional
activities of optometrist shall be certified by a diploma of
higher education regarding the acquisition of an accredited
academic study programme for optometrists.
(2) The right of a person to pursue independent professional
activities and the right to practice in optometry shall be
certified by a diploma of higher education regarding the
acquisition of an accredited higher vocational study programme of
optometry or a professional qualification certificate of
optometrist.
(3) Persons with secondary education shall be accepted in the
study programmes for optometrists, which gives the right to study
at a university-type institution of higher education.
(4) An academic education diploma of optometrist shall certify
that the owner thereof has acquired an accredited academic study
programme in full-time studies, the duration of which is at least
three years. The higher vocational education diploma of
optometrist shall certify that the owner thereof, after the
acquisition of the higher education diploma, has acquired an
accredited higher vocational study programme of optometry, the
duration of which is at least one year.
(5) The optometric education shall ensure theoretical
knowledge and practical skills which are necessary for primary
care of eyesight, the investigation of eyesight functions and
correction with glasses and contact lenses.
Chapter
IV
Requirements for Education and Professional Qualification in the
Regulated Professions and the Regulated Professional Activities
in the Field of Transport
[17 November
2005]
Section 18. Regulated Professions in
the Field of Transport
(1) In the field of road transport, the regulated professions,
in which the minimum requirements for the acquisition of
professional qualification are determined by the Cabinet, shall
be as follows:
1) the driver of a motor vehicle;
2) the driver of a vehicle carrying dangerous goods;
3) [17 November 2005];
4) [17 November 2005];
5) [17 November 2005];
6) [17 November 2005].
(2) In the field of rail transport, the regulated professions,
in which the qualification requirements are determined by
accredited education programmes and in cases specified by the law
- the provisions for professional certification, shall be as
follows:
1) an engine driver (machine-operator) instructor;
2) an engine driver (machine-operator); and
3) an engine driver's (machine-operator's) assistant.
(3) In the field of seafaring, the regulated professions shall
be as follows:
1) the captain of a ship;
2) an engineer officer;
3) a rating;
4) a radio specialist; and
5) a hydrographer.
(4) [23 October 2003]
(5) [23 October 2003]
(6) In the field of civil aviation, the regulated professions
shall be as follows:
1) a pilot;
2) a navigator;
3) a flight radiotelephone operator;
4) a flight engineer;
5) an air traffic controller;
6) an aircraft technical maintenance specialist;
7) an airport aviation security officer; and
8) a civil aviation security inspector.
(7) The regulated professions in the organisation of carriage
of dangerous goods by road and rail shall be as follows:
1) the profession of a safety consultant (advisor), in which
the minimum requirements for the acquisition of professional
qualification are determined by the Cabinet; and
2) the profession of a safety consultant (advisor) instructor
for carriage of dangerous goods, in which the qualification
requirements are determined by accredited education programmes
and in cases specified by the law - the provisions for
professional certification.
(8) The regulated professional activities in the field of road
transport, the minimum requirements for the knowledge and skills
necessary for the performance of which and acquisition of
vocational competence are prescribed by the Cabinet, shall be as
follows:
1) the management of international road haulage
operations;
2) the management of international road passenger transport
operations;
3) the management of national road haulage operations; and
4) the management of national road passenger transport
operations.
[23 October 2003; 4 November 2004;
17 November 2005]
Section 19. Requirements for the
Regulated Professions and Regulated Professional Activities in
the Field of Road Transport
(1) A professional qualification certificate corresponding to
the profession or a certificate of competence shall be a
mandatory prerequisite in order for a person to be entitled to
pursue activities in the following professions:
1) the driver of a motor vehicle; and
2) the driver of a vehicle carrying dangerous goods;
(2) In the training programmes intended for the acquisition of
the documents referred to in Paragraph one of this Section, such
requirements shall be put forward so that these programmes could
be acquired by persons who have general basic education.
(3) A professional qualification certificate corresponding to
the profession or a certificate of competence shall be a
mandatory prerequisite in order for a person to be entitled to
pursue the following professional activities:
1) to manage international road haulage operations;
2) to manage international road passenger transport
operations;
3) to manage national road haulage operations; and
4) to manage national road passenger transport operations.
(4) In the training programmes intended for the acquisition of
the documents referred to in Paragraph three of this Section,
such requirements shall be put forward so that these programmes
could be acquired by persons who have at least general basic
education and vocational basic education or vocational secondary
education.
[17 November 2005]
Section 20. Requirements for the
Regulated Professions in the Field of Rail Transport
(1) Evidence of vocational education or formal qualifications
shall be a mandatory prerequisite in order for a person to be
entitled to pursue activities in the following professions of
rail transport employees:
1) an engine driver (machine-operator) instructor;
2) an engine driver (machine-operator); and
3) an engine driver's assistant.
(2) The specialities of the professions referred to in
Paragraph one of this Section, for which a professional
qualification certificate is necessary, the requirements and
procedures for certification shall be determined by the
Cabinet.
[23 October 2003; 17 November
2005]
Section 21. Requirements for
Professional Qualification for Carriers of Goods and Passengers
by Inland Waterways
[23 October 2003]
Section 22. Requirements for the
Regulated Professions in the Field of Seafaring
(1) The conformity of the professional qualification with the
requirements of the 1978 International Convention on Standards of
Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, the
amendments thereof, and the conventions of the International
Labour Organisation shall be a mandatory prerequisite for a
person to be entitled to pursue professional activities in the
field of seafaring, receiving the relevant professional
qualification certificate.
(2) A professional qualification certificate, which has been
issued on the grounds of the international agreements approved by
the Saeima or the regulatory enactments of the Republic of
Latvia, shall be a mandatory prerequisite in order for a person
to be entitled to pursue professional activities in the following
regulated professions in the field of seafaring:
1) the captain of a ship;
2) an engineering officer;
3) a rating; and
4) a radio specialist.
[4 November 2004]
Section 23. Requirements for the
Regulated Professions in the Field of Civil Aviation
(1) Conformity with the requirements of professional
qualification, which have been co-ordinated with the standards
and recommended practices for personnel certification
corresponding to the 1944 Convention on International Civil
Aviation, the Joint Aviation Requirements for Flight Crew
Licensing (JAR - FCL) and the Joint Aviation Requirements for
Certifying Staff Maintenance (JAR - 66) of the Joint Aviation
Authorities (JAA), shall be a mandatory prerequisite in order for
a person to be entitled to pursue activities in the following
professions in the field of civil aviation:
1) a pilot;
2) a navigator;
3) a flight radiotelephone operator;
4) a flight engineer; and
5) an aircraft technical maintenance specialist.
(2) Conformity with the requirements of professional
qualification which have been co-ordinated with the standards and
recommended practices for personnel certification corresponding
to the 1944 Convention on International Civil Aviation shall be a
mandatory prerequisite in order for a person to be entitled to
pursue activities in the profession of an air traffic
controller.
(3) Conformity with the requirements of professional
qualification which have been co-ordinated with the requirements
specified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
shall be a mandatory prerequisite in order for a person to be
entitled to pursue activities in the profession of an airport
aviation security officer.
(4) Conformity with the requirements of professional
qualification which have been co-ordinated with the requirements
specified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
shall be a mandatory prerequisite in order for a person to be
entitled to pursue activities in the profession of an airport
aviation security officer.
(5) In order for the education documents issued and the
professional qualification awarded in the Republic of Latvia to
be recognised in foreign states, the conformity of the relevant
education programme and procedures for professional certification
and licensing with the requirements specified by international
agreements, shall be ensured.
[23 October 2003]
Section 24. Requirements for the
Regulated Professions in the Field of Airport Operations
[23 October 2003]
Section 25. Requirements for the
Regulated Professions in the Field of Carriage of Dangerous
Goods
(1) The right of a person to pursue professional activities of
safety consultant (advisor) in the organisation of carriage of
dangerous goods by road and rail shall be certified by a
qualification certificate regarding the acquisition of a
programme corresponding to the profession.
(2) The right of a person to pursue the activities of a safety
consultant (advisor) instructor in carriage of dangerous goods
shall be certified by evidence of education or formal
qualifications, which have been specified by the Law and issued
in the Republic of Latvia.
[23 October 2003]
Chapter V
Requirements for Education and Professional Qualification in the
Regulated Professions in the Field of Veterinary Medicine and
Breeding Activities
Section 26. Regulated Professions in
the Field of Veterinary Medicine and Breeding Activities
(1) In the field of veterinary medicine, the profession of
veterinary surgeon shall be regulated, in which the minimum
requirements for the acquisition of professional qualification
are determined by the Cabinet.
(2) The regulated professions in the field of breeding
activities, in which the qualification requirements are
determined by accredited veterinary or zootechnical study
programmes and in cases specified by the law - the provisions for
professional certification, shall be determined by the law in the
field of breeding activities.
Section 27. General Requirements for
Education of Veterinary Surgeons
(1) The right of a person to pursue independent professional
activities in the profession of veterinary surgeon and the
practising right shall be certified by a diploma of higher
education regarding the acquisition of a full-time veterinary
study programme and the registration of veterinary surgeons in
accordance with the procedures specified in the regulatory
enactments regulating the field of veterinary medicine.
(2) The diploma of education of veterinary surgeon shall
certify that the owner thereof has acquired a full-time study
programme for at least five years in a university-type
institution of higher education, which comprises theoretical and
practical knowledge.
(3) Persons with secondary education shall be accepted in a
veterinary study programme, which gives the right to study at a
university-type institution of higher education.
(4) The veterinary study programme shall comprise the
theoretical and practical knowledge corresponding to the
profession in those branches of sciences on which the activities
of the veterinary surgeon are based, knowledge of the anatomy and
physiology of animals, causes, diagnosis and treatment of
diseases, of the hygiene and technology which apply to the
foodstuffs of animal and plant origin intended for human
consumption, knowledge of the regulatory documents in the field
of professional activities, as well as an adequate clinical and
other practical experience under the supervision of qualified
specialists.
(5) Practical education may be acquired in full-time studies
under direct control of the institutions specified by the
Cabinet. The acquisition of the practical education within the
total duration of study shall not exceed six months.
(6) [4 November 2004]
[4 November 2004]
Chapter
VI
Requirements for Education and Professional Qualification in
Other Regulated Professions
Section 28. Requirements for the
Regulated Professions in the Field of Education and Sport
(1) In the regulated professions in the field of education and
sport, in which the qualification requirements are determined by
accredited education programmes or in cases specified by the law
- the provisions for professional certification, shall be as
follows:
1) a teacher; and
2) a sports specialist.
(2) The education and professional qualification requirements
in the regulated professions of teachers and sports specialists
shall be determined by the laws regulating the field of education
and sport.
[2 November 2006]
Section 29. Requirements for the
Regulated Professions in the Field of Electric Power
Engineering
(1) In the regulated professions in the field of electric
power engineering, in which the qualification requirements are
determined by accredited education programmes or in cases
specified by the law - the provisions for professional
certification, shall be as follows:
1) an electrical engineer;
2) an electrician electrical assemblies specialist;
3) an electrician; and
4) an electrical assembler.
(2) The right of a person to pursue independent professional
activities in the professions referred to in Paragraph one of
this Section shall be certified as follows:
1) in the profession of an electrical engineer - a diploma of
the second level vocational higher education and qualification of
an electrical engineer or a Master's degree in engineering;
2) in the profession of an electrician electrical assemblies
specialist - a diploma of the first level vocational higher
education and qualification of an electrician electrical
assemblies specialist, which certifies the acquisition of the
fourth level professional qualification;
3) in the profession of electrician - a diploma of secondary
vocational education and qualification of an electrician or a
professional qualification certificate, which certifies the
acquisition of the third level professional qualification;
and
4) in the profession of an electrical assembler - an
attestation of vocational basic education and a qualification of
an electrical assembler or a professional qualification
certificate which certifies the acquisition of the second level
professional qualification.
(3) In individual fields of professional activity, in addition
to the documents specified in Paragraph two of this Section, a
professional qualification certificate, which certifies the
acquisition of an additional qualification in the relevant field,
shall be necessary in accordance with the laws regulating the
field of electric power engineering.
[4 November 2004]
Section 30. Requirements for the
Regulated Professions of Lawyers
(1) The regulated profession of lawyer shall be the profession
of lawyer (sworn lawyer, sworn lawyer's assistant), in which the
qualification requirements are determined by accredited study
programmes and - in cases specified by the law - the provisions
for professional certification.
(2) The right of a person to apply for work in the profession
of lawyer shall be certified by:
1) a diploma of the second level higher vocational education
regarding the acquisition of a programme in law accredited in the
Republic of Latvia and the qualification of a lawyer; or
2) the conformity with the requirements for professional
qualification and professional experience, which are determined
by the Advocacy Law.
[4 November 2004]
Section 31. Requirements for
Education and Professional Qualification of Sworn Auditors
The requirements for the education and professional
qualification of sworn auditors shall be determined by the law or
Cabinet regulations in the field of financial and auditing
work.
Section 32. Requirements for the
Regulated Professions in the Field of Land Survey and Valuation
of Immovable Property
(1) In the regulated professions in the field of land survey
and valuation of immovable property, in which the qualification
requirements are determined by accredited study programmes and in
cases specified by the law - the provisions for professional
certification, shall be as follows:
1) a sworn surveyor; and
2) an evaluator of immovable property.
(2) The right of a person to pursue independent professional
activities in the profession of a surveyor shall be certified by
a diploma of higher education issued by a university-type
institution of higher education regarding the acquisition of an
accredited study programme and the professional qualification of
geodetic engineer or land management engineer, or cartography
engineer, or photogrammetric engineer, or a Master's degree in
engineering and a professional qualification certificate of
surveyor, the provisions for the acquisition of which are
regulated by the laws in the field of land surveying.
(3) The minimum total duration of the acquisition of education
in the study programmes referred to in Paragraph two of this
Section shall be four years in a full-time study programme or
studies of equivalent duration in a part-time study programme,
and they shall end in successful passing of examinations
corresponding to the requirements of the diploma of an engineer
or an academic degree and the issuance of a diploma.
(4) The professional qualification of surveyor may also be
obtained by gradually raising qualification or by acquiring
education programmes with interruptions, which end in successful
passing of examinations, if a person has worked, for at least
three years within the last five years, under the management of a
sworn surveyor or with a merchant who provides surveying
services.
(5) In accordance with the procedures specified by the Law On
the State Land Service, the professional qualification of
surveyor may also be granted for exceptional achievements in the
field of surveying even if the conditions of this Section have
only been fulfilled partly. In the referred to case a
professional qualification certificate shall be issued, which
gives the same rights as the education determined in this
Section.
[17 November 2005]
Section 32.1.
Requirements for the Regulated Professions in the Field of
Conformity Assessment
The regulated professions in the field of conformity
assessment, in which the requirements are determined by the
Cabinet, shall be as follows:
1) a welder of metal materials; and
2) a fault detector (a person who performs non-destructive
testing of welded joints).
[17 November 2005]
Section 32.2. [14 January 2010]
Section 32.3.
Requirements for the Regulated Professions in the Field of
Detective Activities and Security Activities
(1) The regulated profession in the field of detective
activities shall be detective and in the field of security
activities - security employee.
(2) The right of a person to pursue independent professional
activities in the professions referred to in Paragraph one of
this Section shall be certified by a certificate for the
performance of detective activities obtained in accordance with
the procedures specified in the regulatory enactments regulating
the relevant field of professional activities and, accordingly, a
security guard certificate.
[13 December 2007]
Part B
Recognition of Professional Qualifications Obtained in Foreign
States
[4 November
2004]
Chapter
VII
General Provisions for the Recognition of Professional
Qualifications Obtained in Foreign States
[4 November
2004]
Section 33. Recognition of
Professional Qualifications Obtained in Foreign States
(1) A person who has obtained a professional qualification in
foreign states may apply for the recognition of the professional
qualification in such regulated profession of the Republic of
Latvia which includes professional activities comparable with the
professional activities which he or she has pursued in the home
country thereof.
(2) The recognition of a professional qualification obtained
in foreign states shall allow the relevant person to commence
independent professional activities in the Republic of Latvia in
a regulated profession.
(3) The following systems for the recognition of professional
qualifications obtained in foreign states shall be applied for
the recognition of professional qualifications obtained in
foreign states in the Republic of Latvia:
1) the special system for the recognition of professional
qualifications;
2) the general system for the recognition of professional
qualifications; or
3) the recognition of professional qualifications on the basis
of the professional experience of the applicant.
[17 July 2008]
Section 34. Application of the
Special System for the Recognition of Professional
qualifications
(1) The special system for the recognition of professional
qualifications shall be applied:
1) to the regulated professions, for which the qualification
requirements are determined by the international agreements
binding to the Republic of Latvia, i.e., to the following
professions:
a) seafaring professions,
b) civil aviation and airport employee professions;
2) for the acquisition of such evidence of education and
formal qualifications corresponding to the unified minimum
requirements specified in the European Union Member States, which
conform to the evidence of education and formal qualifications
issued by the competent authorities of the European Union Member
States or member states of the European Free Trade Association,
the titles of which have been specified in accordance with
Section 36, Paragraphs five and six of this Law or in the
directly applicable regulatory enactments of the European Union
in the field of the recognition of professional qualifications,
in the following regulated professions:
a) an architect,
b) a doctor,
c) a dentist,
d) a pharmacist,
e) a nurse (general care nurse),
f) a midwife, and
g) a veterinary surgeon;
3) in the recognition of the right of lawyers to practice, if
a lawyer of a European Union Member State or a member state of
the European Free Trade Association wishes to practice in the
Republic of Latvia under the professional title of the home
country thereof;
4) to the following regulated professions which have been
specified unified minimum requirements for the acquisition of the
evidence of education and formal qualifications in the European
Union Member States, if the evidence of education and formal
qualifications of the applicant has been acquired in the European
Union Member States or in the member states of the European Free
Trade Association and certify the fulfilment of the minimum
requirements:
a) a driver of a motor vehicle,
b) a safety consultant (advisor) for carriage of dangerous
goods,
c) a driver of a vehicle transporting dangerous goods;
5) to the documents issued by the European Union Member States
and the member states of the European Free Trade Association,
which certify the competence of the applicant in the management
of international road haulage operations, the management of
international road passenger transport operations, the management
of national road haulage operations and the management of
national road passenger transport operations.
(2) If the home country of the applicant has not joined the
international agreements referred to in Paragraph one of this
Section, the professional qualification of the applicant shall be
recognised only if his or her education and level of professional
experience, in terms of the content and duration, does not differ
significantly from the requirements specified for the relevant
profession in the Republic of Latvia.
(3) [17 July 2008]
(4) [17 July 2008]
[4 November 2004; 17 July 2008]
Section 35. Application of the
General System for the Recognition of Professional Qualifications
and the Recognition of Qualification on the Basis of the
Professional Experience of the Applicant
(1) The general system for the recognition of professional
qualifications shall be applied:
1) to the professions referred to in Section 34, Paragraph one
of this Law, if the evidence of education and formal
qualifications of the applicant does not conform with the
requirements of Section 34 of this Law; and
2) to other regulated professions in the Republic of
Latvia.
(2) Both the general system for the recognition of
professional qualifications and the recognition of qualification
may be applied for the recognition of professional qualifications
in individual fields of economic activities on the basis of the
professional experience of the applicant which he or she has
acquired in the home country.
(3) The recognition of professional qualification on the basis
of the professional experience of the applicant shall be applied
in relation to the citizens of the European Union Member States
and the member states of the European Free Trade Association, if
their professional qualification has been acquired in the
European Union Member States or in the member states of the
European Free Trade Association. In the cases referred to in
Paragraph two of this Section, the general system for the
recognition of professional qualifications shall be applied for
the recognition of the professional qualifications of citizens of
other states if different procedures have not been specified in
the international agreements approved by the Saeima.
[4 November 2004; 17 July 2008]
Section 36. Competence of the
Cabinet in the Recognition of Professional Qualifications
Obtained in Foreign States
The Cabinet, observing the norms of the relevant international
agreements approved by the Saeima, which ensure the
opportunity for mutual recognition of professional qualifications
in the Republic of Latvia and foreign states, shall:
1) determine additional requirements for the recognition of
professional qualifications obtained in foreign states in
regulated professions (also for citizens of the European Union
Member States whose education and professional qualification
partly conform to the requirements specified in the Republic of
Latvia for the relevant profession);
2) determine the duration and type of the professional
experience for the recognition of professional qualifications
obtained in foreign states, on the basis of the professional
experience of the applicant, in the regulated professions in the
fields of those economic activities to which specific
requirements have been put forward in relation to general or
professional knowledge and skills;
3) determine the information institutions and institutions
issuing the certificates of the recognition of professional
qualifications;
4) approve the sample documents related to the recognition of
professional qualifications and the issuance of qualification
recognition certificates;
5) determine the evidence of primary specialities,
sub-specialities or additional specialities of doctors and the
profession of doctor, education and professional qualification of
pharmacists and veterinary surgeons, which are recognised by
applying the special system for the recognition of professional
qualifications, the institutions which have issued these
documents, and the titles of the qualification obtained (the name
of the institution and the title of the qualification shall also
be indicated in the language of the state which issued the
documents);
6) determine the evidence of professional titles of
sub-specialities of architects, nurses, midwives and dentists and
education and professional qualification thereof obtained in
foreign states, which are recognised by applying the special
system for the recognition of professional qualifications, the
institutions having issued these documents, as well as the titles
of the qualifications obtained (the name of the institution and
the title of the qualification shall also be indicated in the
language of the state which issued the document);
7) determine the professional titles (qualifications) of
lawyers obtained in foreign states, which are recognised by
applying the special system for the recognition of professional
qualifications;
8) determine the procedures by which the information
institutions and institutions issuing the certificates of the
recognition of professional qualifications in the regulated
professions review the documents submitted by an applicant;
9) determine the content to be included in the declaration on
temporary provision of professional services in a regulated
profession in the Republic of Latvia, the documents to be
appended thereto, the procedures for the submission, examination
and renewal of the declaration and the regulated professions in
the Republic of Latvia in which an aptitude test is performed for
the temporary provider of services, and the procedures for the
performance of such test; and
10) determine the professional organisations of the European
Union Member States and the member states of the European Free
Trade Association, vocational education and qualification
documents issued by which are recognised in the Republic of
Latvia.
[4 November 2004; 17 July 2008]
Section 37. Evidence of Education
and Formal Qualifications Obtained in Foreign States
(1) The evidence of education and formal qualifications
obtained in foreign states which an applicant submits for the
recognition of professional qualification in accordance with the
procedures specified in this Law, shall certify that:
1) the applicant has the education and professional
qualification which is necessary in order to allow him or her to
commence and pursue independent professional activities in the
relevant profession in the home country thereof;
2) the applicant has acquired at least three years of
professional experience in the relevant profession in a European
Union Member State or in a member state of the European Free
Trade Association, if the evidence of education and formal
qualifications has been issued in a state which is not a European
Union Member State or a member state of the European Free Trade
Association, and the professional qualification of the applicant
has already been recognised in any of these states.
(2) Certifications of vocational education and qualification
issued by professional organisations of the European Union Member
States and member states of the European Free Trade Association
shall also be recognised as the evidence of education and formal
qualifications obtained in foreign states referred to in
Paragraph one of this Section, if the right of the referred to
organisations to issue such certifications in relation to the
regulated professions has been recognised in the European Union
and such organisation has been specified in accordance with
Section 36, Clause 10 of this Law or in the directly applicable
regulatory enactments of the European Union in the field of the
recognition of professional qualification.
[17 July 2008]
Section 38. Provisions for the Use
of Professional Titles and Academic or Scientific Degrees
(Designations, Titles)
(1) If the professional qualification of a person has been
recognised in accordance with the procedures specified in this
Law, this person has the right to use the corresponding title of
the regulated profession specified in this Law.
(2) In the case referred to in Paragraph one of this Section,
a person also has the right to use the academic or scientific
degree (designation, title) lawfully recognised in his or her
home country and, if necessary, the abbreviation thereof in the
language of the home country.
(3) The institutions of the Republic of Latvia which issue the
certificate of the recognition of professional qualification are
entitled to request that, in addition to the academic or
scientific degree (designation, title) referred to in Paragraph
two of this Section, the name and location of the relevant
institution or the institution having organised the examination
and awarded the degree (designation, title) is indicated.
(4) If the relevant academic or scientific degree
(designation, title) used in the home country of the applicant is
identical to a degree which may be used in the Republic of Latvia
and which certifies that the relevant person has acquired
additional or other education, the institutions, which issue the
certificates of the recognition of qualification, are entitled to
request that the degree (designation, title) of the home country
of the applicant is supplemented with the necessary explanatory
wording.
[4 November 2004]
Section 39. Professional
Qualifications Obtained in Foreign States and the Professional
Organisations of the Republic of Latvia
(1) If persons whose qualification conforms to specific
requirements for professional qualification are accepted into a
professional organisation of the Republic of Latvia, these
requirements shall be regarded as fulfilled in relation to the
person whose professional qualification has been recognised in
accordance with the procedures specified in this Law.
(2) If the evidence of education and formal qualifications
specified for members by a professional organisation authorised
by the law or Cabinet regulations are necessary for practising in
a regulated profession, the person whose professional
qualification has been recognised in accordance with the
procedures specified in this Law has the right to use the
professional titles or the titles certifying qualification and
abbreviations thereof of the referred to organisation only if he
or she has been accepted in this organisation.
(3) If registration in a professional organisation or register
is necessary for activities in a regulated profession in the
Republic of Latvia in accordance with regulatory enactments, this
registration shall be performed concurrently with the recognition
of professional qualification within the terms specified in this
Law.
[17 July 2008]
Section 40. Documents Necessary for
the Recognition of Professional Qualifications Obtained in
Foreign States
(1) An applicant shall submit the following to information
institutions:
1) an application for the acquisition of the certificate of
the recognition of qualification, indicating the type, the status
(employee or self-employed person) and the duration (temporary or
permanent activities) of professional activities;
2) documents, which attest to the education, professional
qualification and professional experience of the applicant;
and
3) additional documents which are necessary for the
recognition of the professional qualification in the cases
specified by this Law.
(2) For activities in any of the regulated professions for
which any of the requirements of Section 3, Paragraph five of
this Law are put forward, the applicant shall submit documents
which certify the fulfilment of these provisions in the home
country of the applicant. In cases when the requirements of
Section 3, Paragraph five, Clause 3 of this Law should be
observed, the referred to documents shall certify that the
applicant has not been temporarily withdrawn the right or
prohibited to work in the relevant profession.
(3) The documents referred to in Paragraph two of this Section
shall be valid for submission to an information institution three
months from the date of issuance thereof.
(4) If the competent authorities of the home country of the
applicant do not issue the documents referred to in Paragraph two
of this Section, which certify the fulfilment of the requirements
of Section 3, Paragraph five, Clause 3 or 4 of this Law in the
home country thereof, the applicant may substitute the referred
to documents with a written declaration regarding the fulfilment
of the relevant requirements, but this declaration shall be
approved and the authenticity thereof certified notarially or in
a judicial institution of the home country of the applicant, or
an administrative institution of this country, or a recognised
professional organisation of this country, as determined by the
regulatory enactments of the home country of the applicant.
(5) If a person who wishes to work in a regulated profession
gives an oath or pledge in accordance with Section 3, Paragraph
five, Clause 1 of this Law, but it is not acceptable to the
applicant, the institution issuing the certificate of the
recognition of qualification shall offer the applicant an
acceptable and equivalent form of oath or pledge.
(6) Upon the request of an information institution, the
applicant has a duty to submit the following:
1) certified translations of the documents referred to in this
Section in the official language if they have been issued in a
European Union Member State, a member state of the European Free
Trade Association or another state, which has been granted the
right of a European Union Member State in the field of the
recognition of professional qualifications, in accordance with
the international agreements approved by the Saeima;
2) certified translations of the documents referred to in this
Section in the official language if they have been issued in the
states not referred to in Clause 1 of this Paragraph and with
which the Republic of Latvia has entered into bilateral or
multilateral agreements on legal assistance and legal relations
in civil matters, family matters and criminal matters, and
conform to the provisions of these agreements; and
3) the documents referred to in this Section legalised in
accordance with the procedures specified in the international
agreements approved by the Saeima, appending certified and
legalised translation of these documents in the official
language, if they have been issued in the states which are not
referred to in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Paragraph or do not
conform with the documents referred to in Clause 2 of this
Paragraph.
[4 November 2004; 17 July 2008]
Section 41. Documents which Certify
the Conformity of Education and Professional Qualification
Obtained in Foreign States with the Requirements Specified in the
Republic of Latvia
(1) The conformity of education and professional qualification
obtained in foreign states with the requirements specified in the
Republic of Latvia shall be certified by the certificate of the
recognition of professional qualification (hereinafter -
qualification recognition certificate) or the equivalent
documents referred to in Paragraph two of this Section, which are
issued by the institutions referred to in the law or Cabinet
regulations.
(2) In professions in which the right to commence work or
pursue independent activities in the Republic of Latvia are
certified by certificates or other documents issued by competent
authorities, these certificates or other documents may be issued
instead of qualification certificates.
(3) The documents referred to in Paragraph two of this Section
shall be issued according to the same procedures and observing
the same provisions by which the issuance of the qualification
recognition certificates are provided for in this Law.
(4) A qualification recognition certificate shall not be
necessary for professions in which the international agreements
approved by the Saeima allow the recognition of a
professional qualification without the professional aptitude
test, including the relevant professions of motor vehicle
drivers.
[4 November 2004]
Section 42. Temporary Professional
Activities in the Regulated Profession with Evidence of Education
and Formal Qualifications Obtained in Foreign States
(1) A person whose home country is a European Union Member
State or a member state of the European Free Trade Association
and whose home country of the services provided is a European
Union Member State or a member state of the European Free Trade
Association shall be regarded as a provider of temporary
professional services in a regulated profession of the Republic
of Latvia if the professional activities corresponding to the
professional qualification thereof in the relevant profession in
the Republic of Latvia are restricted in terms of duration,
frequency and extent, the residence of the person in the Republic
of Latvia is not permanent and this person pursues independent
activities in the home country thereof.
(2) A provider of temporary professional services shall not
require the recognition of the evidence of education and formal
qualifications in accordance with the procedures specified by
this Law, but, upon commencing temporary provision of
professional services in the Republic of Latvia for the first
time, has a duty to notify the institution issuing the
certificates of the recognition of professional qualification in
the relevant regulated profession thereof. This duty shall be
fulfilled by submitting a declaration on temporary provision of
professional services. Upon providing emergency medical
assistance or other services corresponding to the professional
qualification thereof, the urgency of which is determined by
special circumstances, the declaration may be submitted as soon
as possible after the provision of the service.
(3) The declaration referred to in Paragraph two of this
Section shall be renewed not less than once a year if the
provider of temporary professional services intends to provide
temporary professional services recurrently during the time
period referred to. The declaration shall be renewed without
delay if the information provided therein has changed
significantly or if changes in the documents appended to the
declaration have occurred.
(4) A provider of temporary professional services in a
regulated profession in the Republic of Latvia has the same
rights and duties in the provision of services as the inhabitants
of the Republic of Latvia who pursue independent professional
activities in the relevant regulated profession. The conditions
of good practice and requirements of professional ethics
specified in the regulatory enactments of the Republic of Latvia
shall also apply to the provider of temporary professional
services even if they differ from the requirements of the home
country thereof. If the provider of temporary professional
services violates the relevant regulatory enactments, he or she
shall be held liable as specified in the regulatory enactments of
the Republic of Latvia and information shall be sent to the
relevant institutions of his or her home country regarding the
commencement of the procedure referred to, giving them an
opportunity to participate in the procedure, as well as these
institutions shall also be informed of the decisions taken.
(5) In the professions and procedures specified by the
Cabinet, an institution issuing the certificates of the
recognition of professional qualification has the right to
perform a professional aptitude test of a provider of temporary
professional services, prior to the services being provided in
the Republic of Latvia for the first time, in order to ascertain
the professional qualification of the service provider.
(6) The aptitude test may only be performed in such regulated
professions in which an unqualified provider of temporary
professional services may endanger the health and safety of the
recipient of services. The aptitude test shall not be performed
and the professional qualification of the provider of temporary
professional services shall be regarded as corresponding if the
evidence of education and formal qualifications of the service
provider conform with the requirements of Section 34, Paragraph
one, Clause 2 of this Law.
(7) A permit for the provision of temporary professional
services and the results of the aptitude test or a decision not
to perform an aptitude test for the provider of temporary
professional services shall be notified within one month from the
day of the receipt of the declaration and the documents appended
thereto. If the provider of temporary professional services has
not appended all the necessary documents to the declaration or if
additional information has to be requested from the home country
thereof, the deadline for taking of a decision may be extended in
accordance with the procedures specified in the Administrative
Procedure Law for a period of time which is not longer than three
months after receipt of the declaration.
(8) After issuance of the permit, the institution issuing the
certificates of the recognition of professional qualification,
shall register the provider of temporary professional services,
if registration in a professional organisation or register is
necessary for activities in the regulated profession in the
Republic of Latvia in accordance with regulatory enactments, or
send copies of the decision, declaration and documents appended
thereto to the institution which performs temporary
registration.
(9) Temporary professional services shall be provided, using
the professional title of the home country. The title shall be
indicated in the language of the home country of the service
provider and the translation thereof in the Latvian language
shall appended. If there is no professional title for the
relevant service in the home country of the provider of temporary
professional services, upon providing temporary professional
services, the title of the professional qualification of the
service provider in the language of the home country thereof
shall be used and the translation thereof in the Latvian language
shall be appended.
(10) If temporary professional services in the regulated
profession in the Republic of Latvia are provided, using the
professional title or the title of the professional qualification
of the home country, the provider of the temporary professional
services has a duty to provide the following information to the
recipient of services:
1) the registration number of the service provider or an
equivalent means of identification in the Commercial Register of
the home country or equivalent state register, indicating the
title of this register;
2) the title and address of the supervisory authority of the
service provider in the home country;
3) the title of the professional association or register, in
which the service provider is registered;
4) the professional title or the title of the professional
qualification of the service provider;
5) the registration number of the service provider in the
register of persons subject to value added tax in the home
country, if the service provider is a payer of value added tax;
and
6) professional liability insurance or equivalent guarantee of
professional liability.
(11) If the evidence of education and formal qualifications of
the provider of temporary professional services have been
examined in accordance with the procedures specified in Paragraph
five of this Section, he or she shall provide temporary
professional services, using the professional title specified for
the relevant regulated profession in the Republic of Latvia.
[17 July 2008]
Section 43. Procedures for
Examination of Applications, Documents and Evidence of Rights of
Applicants
(1) Information institutions shall ensure all information
necessary to an applicant regarding the regulatory enactments and
requirements put forward for the regulated profession and accept
the documents specified in this Law from the applicant necessary
for the issuance of the certificate of the recognition of
professional qualification. The procedures for the submission and
examination of documents of applicants shall be determined by the
Cabinet.
(2) The application of an applicant in which a wish to acquire
the qualification recognition certificate necessary for the
performance of professional activities has been expressed, and
the additional documents specified in this Law shall be examined
in accordance with the procedures specified by the Cabinet by
institutions issuing the qualification recognition certificates
in the relevant profession. If the institution takes a relevant
decision, the applicant shall be issued the qualification
recognition certificate, which certifies the recognition of his
or her professional qualification and the right to pursue
professional activities in this profession in the Republic of
Latvia.
(3) The application of an applicant and the documents appended
thereto shall be reviewed and the decision with the justification
thereof shall be notified to the applicant:
1) not later than within three months after submission of all
documents in relation to the regulated professions, to which the
special system for the recognition of professional qualifications
is applied, if the person wishes to pursue independent
professional activities in the Republic of Latvia;
2) not later than within four months after submission of all
documents in relation to the regulated professions, to which the
general system for the recognition of professional qualifications
is applied, on the basis of the professional experience of the
applicant;
3) [17 July 2008];
4) [17 July 2008].
(4) The period for examination specified in Paragraph three of
this Section shall be counted from the day when the applicant has
submitted all the documents necessary for the acquisition of the
certificate of the recognition of professional qualification.
(5) The decision referred to in Paragraph three of this
Section may be appealed by the applicant in accordance with the
procedures specified in the Administrative Procedure Law.
(6) If an institution issuing the certificates of the
recognition of professional qualification has a reason to doubt
the authenticity of the documents of the applicant or if it has
information regarding any action of the applicant outside the
Republic of Latvia which is not permissible in the professional
sense, this institution has the right to request additional
information from the relevant state. In the request it shall
indicate the deadline for the provision of a response, taking
into account the total period of time for examination of an
application specified in Paragraph three of this Section. If a
response is not received within the specified period of time, the
institution shall take a decision in accordance with the
information at the disposal thereof.
(7) A person whose professional qualification has been
recognised in accordance with the procedures specified in this
Law and who has received the certificate of the recognition of
professional qualification referred to in Paragraph two of this
Section, has the same right to work in the relevant regulated
profession and the same duties related to these activities as the
persons who have obtained the qualification necessary for
professional activities in a regulated profession in accordance
with the procedures specified in the regulatory enactments of the
Republic of Latvia and have fulfilled all the relevant
requirements of the regulatory enactments of the Republic of
Latvia regulating the field of professional activities for the
performance of professional activities.
[4 November 2004]
Chapter
VIII
Provisions for the Recognition of Professional Qualifications in
Relation to Professions to which the General System for the
Recognition of Professional Qualifications and the Recognition of
Qualifications is Applied on the Basis of the Professional
Experience of Applicant
Section 44. General Provisions for
the Recognition of the Professional Qualification of
Applicant
(1) An education and professional qualification obtained in
foreign states in the regulated professions of the Republic of
Latvia, applying the general system for the recognition of
professional qualifications, as well as on the basis of the
professional experience of an applicant, shall be recognised by
determining the conformity of education and professional
qualification of the applicant with the requirements specified in
the Republic of Latvia for the relevant regulated profession, in
accordance with the following criteria:
1) the conformity of education and professional qualification
of the applicant with the requirements specified in the Republic
of Latvia in relation to the level, content and nature of
education (regulated or non-regulated education), as well as the
duration of education;
2) the status of the profession or professional activities
corresponding to education and professional qualification of the
applicant in the home country - regulated or non-regulated
profession or professional activity;
3) the duration and type of the professional experience of the
applicant in the home country; and
4) the certification by the competent authority of the home
country of the applicant - a citizen of a European Union Member
State or a member state of the European Free Trade Association,
that the education acquired has been recognised as corresponding
to the requirements specified for the relevant profession in the
home country. The referred to certification shall be necessary in
the following cases:
a) the evidence of education and formal qualifications of the
applicant has not been obtained in the home country, which is a
European Union Member State or a member state of the European
Free Trade Association; or
b) the evidence of education and formal qualifications of the
applicant do not conform with the requirements specified by the
home country because it has raised the requirements for the
acquisition of professional qualification in the relevant
profession.
(2) For the application of the general system for the
recognition of professional qualifications the evidence of
education and formal qualifications shall be divided into the
following levels:
1) Level 1 - the evidence of the acquisition of an education
programme of at least four years in duration at the level of
higher education and, if necessary, are supplemented with the
evidence of formal qualifications;
2) Level 2 - the evidence of the acquisition of an education
programme of at least three to four years in duration at the
level of higher education and, if necessary, are supplemented
with the evidence of formal qualifications;
3) Level 3 - documents which certify that at least one of the
following programmes has been acquired:
a) a vocational education programme, the duration of which is
at least one year after acquisition of such secondary education
programme which is necessary in order to commence studies at the
level of higher education,
b) an education programme of specific structure at the level
of secondary education, or
c) a vocational secondary education programme, the acquisition
of which is necessary in order to commence studies at the level
of higher education;
4) Level 4 - the evidence of the acquisition of such
vocational education programme at the level of secondary
education, which does not give the right to commence studies at
the level of higher education and are supplemented with an
examination or professional practice, which is part of such
education programme;
5) Level 5 - documents which certify that education or
practical working skills have been acquired in at least one of
the following ways:
a) general basic education or general secondary education,
b) a vocational education programme at the basic level and
other education, for the acquisition of which a education
document corresponding to the Level 1, 2, 3 or 4 is not
issued,
c) the passing of a special examination without the
acquisition of previous education, or
d) full-time employment of at least three consecutive years in
duration or part-time employment of a corresponding duration in
the relevant profession during the last 10 years.
(3) The professional qualification of an applicant shall be
recognised in the following cases:
1) the documents submitted by the applicant conform to the
requirements which have been specified for the relevant
profession in the regulatory enactments regulating the field of
the relevant professional activities in the Republic of
Latvia;
2) the applicant may compensate the significant differences in
the nature, content and level of education in accordance with the
additional requirements specified by the Cabinet for the
recognition of professional qualification in such profession to
which the general system for the recognition of professional
qualifications is applied;
3) the duration and type of professional experience of the
applicant conforms to the duration and type of professional
experience specified by the Cabinet in relation to the
professions to which the recognition of professional
qualifications is applied on the basis of the professional
experience of the applicant;
4) the documents submitted by the applicant partly conform to
the requirements which have been specified for this profession in
the regulatory enactments regulating the relevant professional
activities in the Republic of Latvia, but certify the acquisition
of such education programme, the content and duration of which
does not differ significantly from that specified in the Republic
of Latvia, and they are not more than one level lower than the
ones specified in Paragraph two of this Section in such
profession to which the general system for the recognition of
professional qualifications is applied; and
5) the documents submitted by the applicant certify that a
complex of criteria for professional qualification (joint
platform) developed by the European Union Member States or the
relevant professional organisations and recognised by the
European Commission has been met, in order to compensate the
significant differences in the requirements for the acquisition
of education and professional qualification.
[17 July 2008]
Section 44.1. Provision
of Temporary Services in the Field of Education, Science and
Sport
[17 July 2008]
Section 45. Cases when Education and
Professional Qualifications of Applicants Differs from the
Requirements Put Forward by the Republic of Latvia
(1) Education and professional qualifications of applicants
shall differ significantly from the requirements put forward for
the relevant profession regulated in the Republic of Latvia in
the following cases:
1) the education acquired by the applicant is shorter by more
than one year than that specified in the Republic of Latvia;
2) the content of the study subjects (study courses) and
courses of further education acquired by the applicant differs
significantly from that specified in the Republic of Latvia or
the education acquired does not comprise all the study subjects
(study courses), the knowledge of which is significant, when
pursuing professional activities in the relevant profession in
the Republic of Latvia;
3) the regulated profession in which the applicant wishes to
pursue professional activities in the Republic of Latvia
comprises one or several regulated professional activities, which
are not included in the relevant profession in his or her home
country, and for the pursuing of such professional activity or
activities in the Republic of Latvia, such study subjects (study
courses) shall be acquired, which are not comprised in the
education acquired by the applicant; or
4) the relevant profession is not regulated in the home
country of the applicant, and the evidence of education and
formal qualifications submitted by the applicant have been issued
for the acquisition of non-regulated education.
(2) If the professional qualification of the applicant does
not differ significantly from the requirements put forward in the
regulated profession in the Republic of Latvia, the professional
qualification shall be recognised in accordance with the
procedures specified by the Cabinet, applying additional
requirements in relation to the duration and type of the
professional experience of the applicant in his or her home
country.
(3) If the professional qualification of the applicant differs
significantly from the requirements put forward for the relevant
regulated profession in the Republic of Latvia, the institutions
which issue qualification recognition certificates, in accordance
with the procedures specified by the Cabinet, are entitled to put
forward the requirement to the applicant for an adaptation period
or the taking of an aptitude test:
1) giving the applicant the right of choice to fulfil one of
the requirements referred to; or
2) determining the fulfilment of one of the referred to
requirements as mandatory (without giving the applicant the right
to choose).
(4) The requirements specified for the professional experience
in Paragraph two of this Section and the requirements specified
for the adaptation period or the professional aptitude test in
Paragraph three of this Section shall not be applied
concurrently. The adaptation period shall not exceed three years.
The applicant may also acquire the necessary education and
training during the adaptation period.
(5) The professional qualification of the applicant shall be
recognised as non-compliant with the requirements put forward for
the relevant regulated profession in the Republic of Latvia, if
the evidence of his or her education and formal
qualifications:
1) does not conform with the additional requirements specified
in accordance with Paragraph two of this Section;
2) is not applicable to the conditions of the professional
aptitude test or adaptation period;
3) is not applicable to the recognition of professional
qualification on the basis of the professional experience of the
applicant in the regulated professions in the fields of those
economic activities for which specific requirements have been put
forward in relation to the general or professional knowledge and
skills.
(6) In the cases specified in Paragraph five of this Section
the applicant, in order to commence professional activities in a
regulated profession, has a duty to fulfil the requirements which
have been specified for the acquisition of the relevant
professional qualification in the Republic of Latvia in the
regulatory enactments regulating the field of professional
activities. Information institutions and institutions issuing the
certificates of the recognition of professional qualification
shall evaluate the content and duration of education of the
relevant person on the basis of the diplomas, certificates and
other evidence of qualification submitted, taking into account
the professional experience of the person, the vocational
in-service training in the profession and shall inform the
applicant of the necessary duration and content of additional
training, the acquisition of which is essential for activities in
the relevant regulated profession in the Republic of Latvia. In
such case the applicant has the right to take an examination
immediately, in order to prove that he or she has the necessary
knowledge.
[17 July 2008]
Section 46. General Provisions for
the Professional Adaptation and Aptitude Test of Applicants
(1) An institution issuing the qualification recognition
certificates in the relevant profession, in accordance with the
requirements specified by the Cabinet, shall determine the
duration of the adaptation period of an applicant and, observing
the wishes of the applicant as much as possible, shall approve a
specialist under whose supervision the applicant shall spend the
adaptation period. At the conclusion thereof a work assessment
shall be given, the criteria and procedures of which are
determined by the institution referred to.
(2) In order to perform an aptitude test of the applicant, the
institutions issuing the qualification recognition certificates
in the relevant profession shall determine detailed procedures
for the aptitude test, develop a list of study subjects or
courses for the acquisition of which, in comparison with the
extent of education specified in the relevant regulated
profession in the Republic of Latvia, the applicant does not have
a document certifying the relevant education and the acquisition
of which is essential in order for a person to work in the
relevant profession. The referred to subjects and courses may
include both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, which
are necessary in the relevant profession, as well as knowledge of
professional standards in the relevant field.
(3) In determining the content of the aptitude test, the fact
that the professional qualification of the applicant in his or
her home country is recognised as sufficient for work in the
relevant profession shall be taken into account.
(4) The applicant, not later than a month before the aptitude
test, shall be informed as to the content and procedures
thereof.
(5) The provisions for the entry and residence of the
applicant at a time when he or she is preparing for the aptitude
test or is spending the adaptation period in the Republic of
Latvia, shall be determined by the Immigration Law.
[4 November 2004]
Section 47. Recognition of
Qualification on the Basis of the Professional Experience of
Applicants
(1) This Section applies to the recognition of professional
qualifications in the regulated professions in such fields of
economic activities, for which specific requirements have been
put forward in relation to the general, commercial or
professional knowledge and skills and shall be applied, by
issuing the qualification recognition certificate to citizens of
the European Union Member States.
(2) The issuance of the qualification recognition certificates
in the regulated professions referred to in Paragraph one of this
Section may not be refused, using a non-compliant qualification
as the grounds for refusal, if the professional qualification or
skills of the applicant and his or her right to pursue
independent activities in the relevant profession certified in
the documents issued by the competent authorities of the home
country have not been compared with the requirements which have
been put forward for this profession in the Republic of Latvia.
If such comparison is necessary, the institutions issuing the
qualification recognition certificates in the relevant
professions shall make such comparison and:
1) issue the qualification recognition certificate in the
relevant profession to the applicant, if the professional
qualification of the applicant conforms with the requirements put
forward for this profession in the Republic of Latvia (including
the requirements of Section 3, Paragraph five of this Law);
or
2) determine the necessity of an adaptation period or aptitude
test in accordance with Section 46 of this Law, if the
professional qualification of the applicant differs significantly
from the requirements put forward for this profession in the
Republic of Latvia.
(3) In relation to the regulated professions referred to in
Paragraph one of this Section, the certification of the
professional qualification of a citizen of a European Union
Member State shall be both the certification of the professional
qualification referred to in Paragraph two of this Section and an
adequate professional experience in the relevant profession in
the home country. The duration and type of experience necessary
for the recognition of the qualification of the applicant shall
be determined by the Cabinet.
(4) The fulfilment of the provisions of Paragraph three of
this Section shall be certified by a document issued by the
competent authorities of the home country of the applicant, which
the applicant shall append to the application for the issuance of
the qualification recognition certificate for the relevant
professional activities in the Republic of Latvia.
[4 November 2004]
Chapter
IX
Provisions for the Recognition of Professional Qualifications in
Relation to Professions to which the Special System for
Recognition is Applied
Section 48. Recognition of the
Professional Qualification of Architects
(1) This Section shall relate to activities in the field of
architecture, if the title of the profession of architect is
used.
(2) Such diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal
qualification of an architect shall be recognised in the Republic
of Latvia, which are recognised in the European Union, conform
with the requirements which are specified in this Law and Cabinet
regulations regarding the minimum requirements of an education
programme for the acquisition of the professional qualification
of an architect, and give the right to operate in the relevant
states, using the title of the profession of an architect.
(3) The certificate of an architect which has been awarded in
a European Union Member State or in a member state of the
European Free Trade Association according to the same provisions
as are referred to in Section 8, Paragraph five of this Law shall
be regarded as compliant with the requirements specified in
Paragraph two of this Section.
(4) The documents referred to in Section 34 and Paragraphs two
and three of this Section of this Law, after the relevant
procedure of recognition performed by the institutions issuing
the qualification recognition certificates in the profession of
architect, and after receipt of the qualification recognition
certificate, give the right to pursue independent professional
activities in the profession of architect in the Republic of
Latvia.
(5) If during the procedure of recognition the institutions of
the Republic of Latvia have doubts about whether the relevant
diploma or certificate conforms to the requirements referred to
in Paragraph two of this Section, they may request an opinion
from the Committee for the Recognition of Professional
Qualifications of the European Commission in this matter.
[4 November 2004; 17 July 2008]
Section 49. Recognition of
Professional Qualifications in the Professions in the Field of
Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy
(1) Such diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal
qualifications which are recognised in the European Union and
conform with the requirements specified in this Law and Cabinet
regulations regarding the minimum requirements of an education
programme for the acquisition of a professional qualification
shall be recognised in the Republic of Latvia in the following
professions:
1) a doctor;
2) a dentist;
3) a nurse (medical nurse);
4) a midwife.
5) a veterinary surgeon; and
6) a pharmacist.
(2) For the commencement of independent professional
activities in the profession of midwife, in addition to the
documents referred to in Paragraph one of this Section, a
certificate shall be necessary which certifies that after the
acquisition of the qualification of midwife the applicant has
performed the duties corresponding to this profession in a
hospital or other medical treatment institution:
1) for at least two years if the relevant person has obtained
the diploma of midwife after the acquisition of a full-time
education programme for midwives for at least three years and
prior to the acceptance in this programme has not acquired
complete general secondary education which gives the right to
study at a university-type institution of higher education;
or
2) for at least one year if the relevant person has obtained
the diploma of midwife after the acquisition of a full-time study
programme of at least 18 months or 3000 hours in duration, in
which the person was accepted after the acquisition of the
qualification as a general care nurse.
(3) The recognition of the professional qualification of
pharmacist and the receipt of the professional qualification
certificate does not give the right to open a new general-type or
open-type pharmacy. Within the meaning of this Paragraph, new
pharmacies are pharmacies which have operated for less than three
years.
(4) The documents referred to in Section 34 and Paragraph one
of this Section of this Law, after the relevant procedure of
recognition performed by institutions issuing the qualification
recognition certificates in the profession of architect and after
receipt of the qualification recognition certificate, give the
right to pursue independent professional activities in the
profession of architect in the Republic of Latvia.
(5) An applicant who wishes to acquire the basic specialities,
sub-specialities or additional specialities of the profession of
doctor or dentist or a diploma in the sub-speciality of dentistry
or other corresponding certificates of qualification, which are
not awarded in the home country thereof, shall fulfil the
requirements specified in the Republic of Latvia for the
acquisition of the relevant professional qualification.
Information institutions and institutions issuing the
certificates of the recognition of professional qualification
shall evaluate the content and duration of education of the
relevant person on the basis of the diplomas, certificates and
other evidence of qualification submitted, and taking into
account the professional experience of the person, the vocational
in-service training in medicine, shall inform the applicant of
the duration and content of the necessary additional
training.
[4 November 2004; 17 July 2008]
Section 50. Provision of Temporary
Services in the Field of Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or
Architecture
[17 July 2008]
Section 51. Recognition of
Professional Qualifications in the Professions in the Field of
Road Transport, Railway, Seafaring and Civil Aviation
In the professions in the field of road transport, railway,
seafaring and civil aviation, for which the qualification
requirements are determined by the international agreements
approved by the Saeima and the legal acts of the European
Union, the professional qualifications obtained in foreign states
shall be recognised in accordance with these agreements and legal
acts of the European Union.
[4 November 2004]
Section 52. Recognition of
Professional Qualifications in Other Professions in the Field of
Transport
(1) The diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal
qualifications issued in the European Union Member States and the
member states of the European Free Trade Association, which
conform to the requirements of this Law and are recognised in the
European Union, shall be recognised in the Republic of Latvia, in
the following professions in the field of transport:
1) a driver (administrator) of international carriage of
passengers by road;
2) a driver (administrator) of international carriage of goods
by road;
3) a driver (administrator) of national carriage of passengers
by road;
4) a driver (administrator) of naitonal carriage of goods by
road;
5) the driver of a vehicle carrying dangerous goods;
6) a safety consultant (advisor) for carriage of dangerous
goods;
7) [23 October 2003];
8) [23 October 2003].
(2) The documents referred to in Section 40 and Paragraph one
of this Section of this Law, after the relevant procedure of
recognition performed by institutions issuing the qualification
recognition certificates in the relevant regulated professions
and after receipt of the qualification recognition certificate,
give the applicant the same right to pursue activities in the
professions specified in Paragraph one of this Section as the
citizens of Latvia.
(3) The licence of a driver of a motor vehicle issued to a
citizen of a European Union Member State and a member state of
the European Free Trade Association may be used without
performing the procedure of recognition referred to in Paragraph
two of this Section, but observing the requirements specified in
the Road Traffic Law.
[23 October 2003; 17 July 2008]
Section 53. Provisions for the
Professional Practice of Lawyers of the European Union Member
States and the Member States of the European Free Trade
Association in the Republic of Latvia
(1) The professional qualification and the title of the
profession of lawyer of a European Union Member State and a
member state of the European Free Trade Association (also other
states which, in accordance with the international agreements
approved by the Saeima have the rights of the European
Union Member States specified in these agreements in the field of
the recognition of professional qualification), which has been
recognised in the European Union and certified by evidence of the
professional rights issued by the competent authorities of his or
her home country, without determining the conformity of the
referred to qualification with the requirements specified in the
Republic of Latvia, shall be recognised in the Republic of
Latvia.
(2) The recognition of the professional qualification of
lawyer within the meaning of Paragraph one of this Section gives
the right to pursue professional activities in the Republic of
Latvia, using the title of the profession specified in the home
country and expressed in the language of the home country,
specifying the institution which has granted the relevant person
the right to pursue professional activities, i.e.:
1) to provide temporary services (if evidence of the
professional rights has been submitted to the Latvian Council of
Sworn Lawyers); or
2) to work independently in the profession (if the person is
registered with the Latvian Council of Sworn Advocates).
(3) A lawyer whose professional qualification and rights have
been recognised within the meaning of Paragraphs one and two of
this Section is entitled to participate in court proceedings only
together with a lawyer of the Latvian Collegium of Sworn
Advocates.
(4) For applicants from the European Union Member States,
member states of the European Free Trade Association and other
states which have the rights of a European Union Member State in
the field of the recognition of professional qualification, the
certificate of the recognition of professional qualification in
the profession of lawyer in the Republic of Latvia shall be
issued by the Latvian Council of Sworn Advocates, if:
1) the applicant has the evidence of professional
qualification and rights of lawyer recognised in the home country
and he or she has successfully passed the aptitude test in
accordance with Section 46, Paragraph two of this Law, or
2) the applicant has pursued professional activities in the
Republic of Latvia for at least three consecutive years, using
the title of the profession in accordance with the provisions
referred to in Paragraph two, Clause 2 of this Section, and has
certified the necessary knowledge and practice acquired in the
field of law of the Republic of Latvia.
(5) A lawyer of a European Union Member State and a member
state of the European Free Trade Association (also other states
which, in accordance with the international agreements approved
by the Saeima, have the rights of the European Union
Member States specified in these agreements in the field of the
recognition of professional qualification), whose professional
qualification has been recognised within the meaning of Paragraph
four of this Section, has the same right to professional
activities as a lawyer of the Republic of Latvia.
(6) The requirements referred to in this Section for the
professional qualification, certification of knowledge and the
procedures for registration of lawyers of a European Union Member
State and a member state of the European Free Trade Association
(also other states which, in accordance with the international
agreements approved by the Saeima, have the rights of the
European Union Member States specified in these agreements in the
field of the recognition of professional qualification)
practising in the Republic of Latvia, as well as the provisions
for the professional practice thereof shall be regulated by the
Advocacy Law.
[4 November 2004; 17 July 2008]
Section 54. Cases When the
Professional Qualification of Applicants Partially Corresponds to
the Minimum Requirements
(1) If an applicant for activities in the regulated
professions in the field of medicine, pharmacy, veterinary
medicine or architecture has evidence of education and formal
qualifications, which certifies that he or she has acquired an
education conforming to the requirements of this Law (in relation
to the structure, content and specialisation), but which does not
conform to the relevant minimum requirements specified by the
Cabinet, he or she shall also need a document issued by the
competent authority of a European Union Member State or a member
state of the European Free Trade Association which certifies the
professional experience of a specific duration in this profession
in the relevant Member State. The duration and type of the
additional experience necessary shall be determined by the
Cabinet.
(2) [17 July 2008]
(3) If an applicant for activities in the regulated
professions in the field of medicine, pharmacy, veterinary
medicine or architecture has the evidence of formal
qualifications which has been issued in a European Union Member
State or a member state of the European Free Trade Association,
but whose title does not conform with the titles approved by the
Cabinet, he or she shall additionally need a document, which has
been issued by the competent authorities of the European Union
Member State or the member state of the European Free Trade
Association, in which the qualification has been obtained
regarding education and the professional title (qualification)
awarded in the relevant state being equivalent to the education,
qualification and professional title referred to in the list
approved by the Cabinet.
(4) [17 July 2008]
(5) [17 July 2008]
[17 July 2008]
Part C
Ensuring the Implementation of the Law
Section 55. Accreditation of
Education Programmes of the Regulated Professions
Accreditation of education programmes of the regulated
professions shall take place in accordance with the procedures
specified in the Education Law and other laws.
Section 56. Functions of
Co-ordination and Information in the Field of Mutual Recognition
of Professional Qualification
(1) The Cabinet shall approve a co-ordinator for the
recognition of professional qualifications.
(2) The co-ordinator for the recognition of professional
qualifications shall:
1) co-ordinate the co-operation between institutions issuing
qualification recognition certificates and information
institutions in matters related to the recognition of
professional qualifications;
2) maintain communication with the European Commission and the
relevant foreign institutions and ensure exchange of information
regarding the regulatory enactments and the responsible
authorities in the field of the recognition of professional
qualifications; and
3) participate in the work of the Committee for the
Recognition of Professional Qualifications of the European
Commission.
(3) The functions of the information institution in relation
to the regulated professions for which higher education is
necessary in the Republic of Latvia or in foreign states, shall
be performed by the Academic Information Centre.
(4) The information institutions for the other regulated
professions shall be determined by the Cabinet, ensuring a
unified system for the implementation of the requirements
specified in Sections 55, 56, 57 and 58 of this Law.
(5) The information institutions, in the field of activities
thereof, shall:
1) provide information to those inhabitants of Latvia who wish
to work in foreign states regarding the regulatory enactments,
the requirements, the information institutions and the competent
authorities of the relevant state in the field of the regulated
professions;
2) provide information regarding the regulatory enactments,
requirements of the ethics of the profession, academic and
professional requirements for education and professional
qualification in the field of the regulated professions in the
Republic of Latvia;
3) accept the documents specified in this Law from applicants
for the acquisition of the qualification recognition certificate
so that they might work in the regulated professions;
4) prepare statements regarding the conformity of education
and professional qualification of applicants to the requirements
determined in the Republic of Latvia;
5) transfer the documents referred to in Paragraph three and
the statements referred to in Paragraph four of this Section to
the institutions specified in Section 57 of this Law;
6) maintain communication with the competent authorities of
foreign states in order to ensure mutual exchange of information
in the field of the regulated professions;
7) issue a statement regarding temporary provision of
services, which certifies that the documents submitted by the
applicant confirm his or her right to pursue temporary
professional activities in the relevant profession in the
Republic of Latvia;
8) maintain a register of the applications submitted and
examined; and
9) inform the applicant of the decisions taken by the
institutions referred to in Section 57 of this Law.
(6) If necessary, the information institution shall prepare a
temporary statement and send it to the institution issuing the
certificates of the recognition of professional qualification in
the relevant profession for the creation of an expert commission.
The composition of the expert commission shall be determined by
the institution which issues the qualification recognition
certificates, also including representatives of the information
institution therein. The expert commission shall submit its
opinion to the institution which issues the certificates of the
recognition of professional qualification.
(7) In the field of seafaring the functions of a co-ordinator
and information institution shall be performed by the Register of
Seafarers of the state stock company Maritime Administration
of Latvia in accordance with the 1978 International
Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping for Seafarers, and the amendments thereof.
(8) The Cabinet shall determine the competent authorities of
the Republic of Latvia which issue the documents necessary to the
inhabitants of the Republic of Latvia for the recognition of
their professional qualification in foreign states, and the
procedures for the issuance of these documents.
[23 October 2003; 4 November 2004;
2 November 2006, 17 July 2008]
Section 57. Institutions Issuing the
Certificates of the Recognition of Professional Qualification in
the Regulated Professions
(1) Institutions issuing the certificates of the recognition
of professional qualification in the regulated professions in the
relevant field of activities:
1) in accordance with the procedures specified by the Cabinet,
shall examine the applications of the applicants for the receipt
of the qualification recognition certificate in the relevant
regulated profession and the documents appended thereto and take
a decision regarding the recognition or non-recognition of the
professional qualification of the applicants:
a) if a decision is taken to recognise the professional
qualification of the applicant - shall prepare the qualification
recognition certificate, observing the deadlines for examination
of documents specified in this Law; or
b) if a decision is taken not to recognise the professional
qualification of the applicant - shall prepare a copy of the
decision and the justification thereof, observing the deadlines
for examination of documents specified in this Law;
2) shall provide the applicant with an opportunity to take an
aptitude test or to adapt;
3) shall prepare the qualification recognition certificates
after fulfilment of the requirements of Clause 2 of this
Paragraph; and
4) send the prepared qualification recognition certificates or
decisions about the non-recognition of the professional
qualification of the applicant to the relevant information
institution.
(2) The institutions referred to in this Section shall
co-operate with the institutions referred to in Section 56 of
this Law and ensure exchange of information with the relevant
foreign and European Union competent authorities in order to
ensure the co-ordination of the requirements of education and
professional qualifications in the Republic of Latvia and foreign
states and mutual recognition of professional qualifications.
(3) Professional organisations are entitled to participate, in
an advisory capacity, in the work of those institutions issuing
the certificates of the recognition of professional
qualification, when they are reviewing matters related to the
recognition of professional qualifications obtained in foreign
states.
[17 July 2008]
Section 58. General Provisions for
the Recognition of Professional Qualifications
(1) The institutions specified in this Law issuing the
certificates of the recognition of professional qualification in
the regulated professions in the Republic of Latvia may take the
following decisions:
1) to recognise the professional qualification and issue the
certificate of the recognition of professional qualification for
professional activities in the Republic of Latvia;
2) to request additional documents in accordance with this
Law;
3) to determine an adaptation period or aptitude test; or
4) to refuse the recognition of qualification.
(2) If in accordance with this Law or other regulatory
enactments, the right to pursue professional activities in a
regulated profession are connected to mandatory registration of
the relevant person in a register of the professional
organisation or other registers, the qualification recognition
certificate referred to in Paragraph one of this Section shall
concurrently give the right to such registration.
(3) Decisions regarding the determination of an adaptation
period or an aptitude test, the non-recognition of the
professional qualification, the refusal to issue the
qualification recognition certificate or regarding the annulment
of such certificate, regarding the refusal or annulment of
registration shall include the justification for the relevant
decision.
(4) [4 November 2004]
(5) The applicant shall cover the expenditure related to the
recognition of the professional qualification of the person in
accordance with the procedures and amount specified by the
Cabinet.
[4 November 2004]
Section 59. Annulment and Suspension
of Operations of a Certificate of Recognition of Professional
Qualifications
Institutions issuing the certificates of the recognition of
professional qualification are entitled to annul the certificates
of the recognition of professional qualification or to suspend
the operation thereof, or suspend the operation of a professional
qualification certificate if violations of regulatory enactments
or the provisions of professional activities have been
established.
[4 November 2004]
Transitional
Provisions
1. Part B of this Law shall come into force on 1 January
2003.
2. By 1 January 2002 the Cabinet shall approve the
requirements referred to in Section 6, Clause 2 of this Law.
3. The persons who, until the day of the coming into force of
this Law, have obtained the right to pursue activities in any of
the regulated professions, shall retain this right even if the
professional qualification of this person does not conform to the
requirements of this Law. This right shall be retained for a
period of time which complies with the period of time between
certification and re-certification, if such is provided for in
the relevant profession. Further rights to activities in this
profession shall be determined by provisions in respect of, and
results of, certification (re-certification).
4. Until the day of the coming into force of the regulations
provided by Section 6, Clause 2, Section 26, Paragraph one,
Section 27, Paragraph five, Section 36, Clauses 5 and 6, Section
54, Paragraph one and Section 56, Paragraph eight of this Law,
but not later than by 30 April 2005, the following Cabinet
Regulations shall be in force insofar as they are not in
contradiction with this Law:
1) Cabinet Regulation No. 370 of 20 April 2004, Regulations
Regarding Education of Doctors and Documents Certifying
Professional Qualification which are Recognised by Applying the
Special System for the Recognition of Professional
Qualifications;
2) Cabinet Regulation No. 372 of 20 April 2004, Regulations
Regarding Education of General Care Nurses and Documents
Certifying Professional Qualification which are Recognised by
Applying the Special System for the Recognition of Professional
Qualifications;
3) Cabinet Regulation No. 373 of 20 April 2004, Regulations
Regarding Education of Architects and Documents Certifying
Professional Qualification which are Recognised by Applying the
Special System for the Recognition of Professional
Qualifications;
4) Cabinet Regulation No. 374 of 20 April 2004, Regulations
Regarding Education of Veterinary Surgeons and Documents
Certifying Professional Qualification which are Recognised by
Applying the Special System for the Recognition of Professional
Qualifications;
5) Cabinet Regulation No. 375 of 20 April 2004, Regulations
Regarding Education of Midwives and Documents Certifying
Professional Qualification which are Recognised by Applying the
Special System for the Recognition of Professional
Qualifications;
6) Cabinet Regulation No. 379 of 22 April 2004, Minimum
Requirements of Education Programmes for the Acquisition of the
Professional Qualification of a Driver (Administrator) for Road
Haulage;
7) Cabinet Regulation No. 394 of 22 April 2004, Regulations
Regarding Education of Dentists and Documents Certifying
Professional Qualification which are Recognised by Applying the
Special System for the Recognition of Professional
Qualifications;
8) Cabinet Regulation No. 395 of 22 April 2004, Regulations
Regarding Institutions which Issue the Documents Required to
Inhabitants of the Republic of Latvia for the Recognition of
Their Professional Qualification in Foreign States;
9) Cabinet Regulation No. 424 of 22 April 2004, Regulations
Regarding Education of Pharmacists and Documents Certifying
Professional Qualification which are Recognised by Applying the
Special System for the Recognition of Professional
Qualifications;
10) Cabinet Regulation No. 426 of 22 April 2004,
Regulations Regarding the Professional Titles of Lawyers
Acquired in Foreign States, which are Recognised by Applying the
Special System for the Recognition of Professional
Qualifications;
11) Cabinet Regulation No.732 of 24 August 2004,
Regulations Regarding the Minimum Requirements of Education
Programmes for the Acquisition of the Professional Qualification
of a Veterinary Surgeon and Regarding Institutions under Direct
Control of which Practical Education in the Profession of a
Veterinary Surgeon may be Acquired;
12) Cabinet Regulation No. 845 of 12 October 2004,
Procedures by which Information Institutions and Institutions
Which Issue the Certificates of the Recognition of Professional
Qualifications in the Regulated Professions shall Examine the
Documents Submitted by Applicants for the Recognition of
Professional Qualifications Acquired in Foreign States for
Independent Professional Activities in the Republic of
Latvia; and
13) Cabinet Regulation No. 846 of 12 October 2004,
Regulations Regarding the Recognition of Professional
Qualifications on the Basis of the Duration and Type of
Professional Experience in the Individual Fields of Economic
Activities.
[4 November 2004]
5. Section 32.2 of this Law shall come into force
on 1 January 2008.
[2 November 2006]
Informative
Reference to European Union Directives
[4 November
2004;17 November 2005; 13 December 2007; 17 July 2008]
This Law contains legal norms arising from:
1) Council Directive 77/249/EEC of 22 March 1977 to facilitate
the effective exercise by lawyers of freedom to provide
services;
2) Council Directive 77/452/EEC of 27 June 1977 concerning the
mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence
of the formal qualifications of nurses responsible for general
care, including measures to facilitate the effective exercise of
this right of establishment and freedom to provide services;
3) Council Directive 77/453/EEC of 27 June 1977 concerning the
coordination of provisions laid down by Law, Regulation or
Administrative Action in respect of the activities of nurses
responsible for general care;
4) Council Directive 78/686/EEC of 25 July 1978 concerning the
mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence
of the formal qualifications of practitioners of dentistry,
including measures to facilitate the effective exercise of the
right of establishment and freedom to provide services;
5) Council Directive 78/687/EEC of 25 July 1978 concerning the
coordination of provisions laid down by Law, Regulation or
Administrative Action in respect of the activities of dental
practitioners;
6) Council Directive 78/1026/EEC of 18 December 1978
concerning the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and
other evidence of formal qualifications in veterinary medicine,
including measures to facilitate the effective exercise of the
right of establishment and freedom to provide services;
7) Council Directive 78/1027/EEC of 25 July 1978 concerning
the coordination of provisions laid down by Law, Regulation or
Administrative Action in respect of the activities of veterinary
surgeons;
8) Council Directive 80/154/EEC of 21 January 1980 concerning
the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other
evidence of formal qualifications in midwifery and including
measures to facilitate the effective exercise of the right of
establishment and freedom to provide services;
9) Council Directive 80/155/EEC of 21 January 1980 concerning
the coordination of provisions laid down by Law, Regulation or
Administrative Action in respect of the taking up and pursuit of
the activities of midwives;
10) Council Directive 85/384/EEC of 10 June 1985 on the mutual
recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of
formal qualifications in architecture, including measures to
facilitate the effective exercise of the right of establishment
and freedom to provide services;
11) Council Directive 85/432/EEC of 16 September 1985
concerning the coordination of provisions laid down by Law,
Regulation or Administrative Action in respect of certain
activities in the field of pharmacy;
12) Council Directive 85/433/EEC of 16 September 1985
concerning the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and
other evidence of formal qualifications in pharmacy, including
measures to facilitate the effective exercise of the right of
establishment relating to certain activities in the field of
pharmacy;
13) Council Directive 89/48/EEC of 21 December 1988 on a
general system for the recognition of higher-education diplomas
awarded on completion of professional education and training of
at least three years' duration;
14) Council Directive 89/595/EEC of 10 October 1989 amending
Directive 77/452/EEC concerning the mutual recognition of
diplomas, certificates and other evidence of the formal
qualifications of nurses responsible for general care, including
measures to facilitate the effective exercise of the right of
establishment and freedom to provide services, and amending
Directive 77/453/EEC concerning the coordination of provisions
laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in respect
of the activities of nurses responsible for general care;
15) Council Directive 89/594/EEC of 30 October 1989 amending
Directives 75/362/EEC, 77/452/EEC, 78/686/EEC, 78/1026/EEC and
80/154/EEC relating to the mutual recognition of diplomas,
certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications as
doctors, nurses responsible for general care, dental
practitioners, veterinary surgeons and midwives, together with
Directives 75/363/EEC, 78/1027/EEC and 80/155/EEC concerning the
coordination of provisions laid down by Law, Regulation or
Administrative Action relating to the activities of doctors,
veterinary surgeons and midwives;
16) Council Directive 91/439/EEC of 29 July 1991 on driving
licences;
17) Council Directive 91/670/EEC of 16 December 1991 on mutual
acceptance of personnel licences for the exercise of functions in
civil aviation;
18) Council Directive 92/51/EEC of 18 June 1992 on a second
general system for the recognition of professional education and
training to supplement Directive 89/48/EEC;
19) Council Directive 93/16/EEC of 5 April 1993 to facilitate
the free movement of doctors and the mutual recognition of their
diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal
qualifications;
20) Council Directive 96/26/EC of 29 April 1996 on admission
to the occupation of road haulage operator and road passenger
transport operator and mutual recognition of diplomas,
certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications intended
to facilitate for these operators the right to freedom of
establishment in national and international transport
operations;
21) Directive 98/5/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 16 February 1998 to facilitate practice of the
profession of lawyer on a permanent basis in a Member State other
than that in which the qualification was obtained;
22) Directive 1999/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 7 June 1997 establishing a mechanism for the
recognition of qualifications in respect of the professional
activities covered by the Directives on liberalisation and
transitional measures and supplementing the general systems for
the recognition of qualifications;
23) Directive 2001/19/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 14 May 2001 amending Council Directives 89/48/EEC and
92/51/EEC on the general system for the recognition of
professional qualifications and Council Directives 77/452/EEC,
77/453/EEC, 78/686/EEC, 78/687/EEC, 78/1026/EEC, 78/1027/EEC,
80/154/EEC, 80/155/EEC, 85/384/EEC, 85/432/EEC, 85/433/EEC and
93/16/EEC concerning the professions of nurse responsible for
general care, dental practitioner, veterinary surgeon, midwife,
architect, pharmacist and doctor (Text with EEA relevance);
24) Directive 2001/25/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 4 April 2001 on the minimum level of training of
seafarers;
25) Directive 2002/84/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 5 November 2002 amending the Directives on maritime
safety and the prevention of pollution from ships (Text with EEA
relevance);
26) Directive 2003/103/EC of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 17 November 2003 amending Directive 2001/25/EC on
the minimum level of training of seafarers (Text with EEA
relevance);
27) Council Directive 98/76/EC of 1 October 1998 amending
Directive 96/26/EC on admission to the occupation of road haulage
operator and road passenger transport operator and mutual
recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of
formal qualifications intended to facilitate for these operators
the right to freedom of establishment in national and
international transport operations;
28) Council Directive 2004/83/EC of 29 April 2004 on minimum
standards for the qualification and status of third country
nationals or stateless persons as refugees or as persons who
otherwise need international protection and the content of the
protection granted; and
29) Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional
qualifications (Text with EEA relevance).
This Law has been adopted by the Saeima on 20 June
2001.
President V. Vīķe-Freiberga
Riga, 6 July 2001
1 The Parliament of the Republic of
Latvia
Translation © 2010 Valsts valodas centrs (State
Language Centre)