Recognition of foreign degrees and qualifications is needed for further studies and when applying for a job. It may be required when registering as self-employed, practicing a regulated profession, or for retraining. Below you will find information on how to proceed when having elementary, secondary, or post-secondary vocational education recognized in the Czech Republic (CR).
NOSTRIFICATION PROCEDURE
1. get a certified copy of your proof of education from a notary https://www.nkcr.cz/seznam-notaru or at a CzechPOINT https://www.czechpoint.cz/
2. have the certified copy translated by a sworn translator https://seznat.justice.cz/
3. complete a request form – downloadable from the regional authority’s website
4. pay the administrative fee of CZK 3,000
Osoby s dočasnou ochranou (DO) pobývající na území ČR méně než 1 rok jsou zproštěny povinnosti uhradit správní poplatek. V takovém případě by měl žadatel přiložit prostou kopii dokladu o 5. 5. 5. udělení dočasné ochrany opatřenou vlastnoručním podpisem a s uvedením data pořízení kopie.
podání podepsané žádosti se všemi přílohami na místně příslušný krajský úřad (v Praze Magistrát hlavního města Prahy)
5. submit the request, signed and supplemented with all required attachments, to the corresponding regional authority (Prague City Hall for applicants living in Prague)
! Nostrification of elementary education for the purposes of admission to the 1st grade of high school is not possible!
- a certified copy of proof of education + sworn translation
- a certified copy of a document indicating the content and number of classes (annex) completed abroad + sworn translation
- proof of payment of the CZK 3,000 administrative fee
- (proof of residence in the CR (e.g., a copy of the ID, lease agreement, etc.))
- (proof of a name change – e.g., marriage certificate)
- (a power of attorney if the request is submitted by an attorney)
! Persons with no residence in the CR may submit the request to any regional authority. The request can also be submitted by an attorney (power of attorney).
DECISION
According to the Administrative Procedure, requests should be handled within 30 days upon receipt, or after passing a nostrification exam. In complex cases, the period may be extended by another 30 days. If there is a document or piece of information missing, the corresponding authority asks the applicant to complete it. The administrative procedure is suspended. Upon completion, the 30-day period is reset.
APPEAL
Within 15 days upon receipt of the decision, applicants may file an appeal with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports through the corresponding regional authority.
NOSTRIFICATION EXAM
An applicant may be asked to take nostrification exams due to differences between education systems (e.g., shorter length of study in comparison to the CR). Applicants have the right to use interpreting services. A nostrification exam may be taken in an applicant’s mother tongue or in their language of instruction. In such cases, it is necessary to notify the school where the exam is held in advance and arrange a sworn interpreter. The interpreting costs are covered by the applicant.
- There is only 1 attempt.
- The content of the exam corresponds to the content typically covered at the specific educational stage. (High school nostrification exams are similar to the maturita exam.)
- Topics and recommended reading for the exam are typically available on the schools‘ websites.
- The exam is usually oral before a committee. However, it can also be a written or a practical test (e.g., IT).
- PAfter a failed attempt, a new request can be submitted once the administrative procedure is concluded (upon receipt of a negative decision). Once a new administrative procedure is opened, an applicant can now resit only the exam that they have failed.
Useful links:
Odbory školství krajských úřadů: https://www.statnisprava.cz/rstsp/ciselniky.nsf/i/d0049
Více informací na webu Do školy společně: https://doskolyspolecne.cz/nostrifikace-vzdelani-ze-zakladni-
stredni-a-vyssi-odborne-skoly/
Zákon č. 561/2004 Sb. Zákon o předškolním, základním, středním, vyšším odborném a jiném vzdělávání
(školský zákon): https://www.zakonyprolidi.cz/cs/2004-561#cast7 – §108, §108a
Vyhláška č. 12/2005 Sb. Vyhláška o podmínkách uznání rovnocennosti a nostrifikace vysvědčení vydaných
zahraničními školami: https://www.zakonyprolidi.cz/cs/2005-12
Zákon č. 500/2004 Sb. Zákon správní řád: https://www.zakonyprolidi.cz/cs/2004-500
List of topics
- Practical Guide
- 1_1 PRESCHOOL EDUCATION (choice, enrolment, mandatory preschool year)
- 1_2 DEFERRED COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
- 2_1 PRIMARY SCHOOL (ZŠ) – Enrolment into the First Grade and Higher Grades
- 2.2 EDUCATION COUNCELING FACILITIES (ECF)
- 2_3 SUPPORT MEASURES
- 2_4 PREPARATORY CLASS
- 2_5 SCHOOL MEALS AND AFTERSCHOOL CLUB
- 2_6 REEXAMINATION, REPEATING A GRADE
- 2_7 STUDENT EVALUATION (CLASSIFICATION)
- 2_8 COMMUNICATION WITH SCHOOL
- 2_9 COMMUNICATING WITH THE SCHOOL WHEN YOU SUSPECT YOUR CHILD IS BEING BULLIED
- 3_1 HIGH SCHOOL (SŠ) ADMISSION PROCEDURE
- 3_1a HOW TO FILL IN THE ANSWER SHEET AT THE UNIFIED ENTRANCE EXAMINATION (JPZ)
- 3_2 TYPES OF HIGH SCHOOLS
- 3_3 ADMISSIONS TO HIGH SCHOOLS WITH A TALENT EXAM
- 5_1 EXTRACURRICULAR ACITIVITIES AND FREE TIME
- 5_2 SUPPORT FOR MULTILINGUALISM
- 5_3 FREE LANGUAGE PREPARATION AND CZECH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
- 5_4 OSPOD AND SOCIAL AND LEGAL PROTECTION OF CHILDREN IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
- 5_6 RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN EDUCATION (ELEMENTARY, HIGH, POST-SECONDARY VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS)