recognition of obtained educational documents

Latvian ENIC/NARIC
The Academic Information Centre has been Latvia’s representative in the European Council/UNESCO recognition network ENIC and the European Union recognition network NARIC since 1995.
Latvian ENIC/NARIC performs the following functions:
- Conducts the recognition of foreign diplomas in Latvia (in accordance with Section 11.1 of the Education Law),
- Provides information about the Latvian education system to the ENIC/NARIC network, foreign universities, and interested parties in Latvia.
Publications
Recognition Manual
(2008)
Manual provides information and knowledge to recognition specialists about academic and professional recognition processes in Latvia.
Terminoloģija Eiropas kvalifikāciju ietvarstruktūras un Latvijas kvalifikāciju ietvarstruktūras kontekstā.
Pētījuma ziņojums (2016)
Frequently Asked Questions
The academic recognition of a diploma obtained abroad means the acquired education equating to an educational document issued in Latvia by level. Such recognition may be necessary to continue studies in Latvia (except in residency) or to work in an unregulated profession.
The recognition of professional qualification is carried out in order to be able to work independently and permanently in a regulated profession in Latvia. Within this procedure, it is determined whether the professional qualification obtained abroad meets the requirements for professionals in a relevant field in Latvia.
Sometimes the law sets requirements for a professional’s education and / or work experience in order to work in relevant professions. Such professions are called regulated professions, and mostly those are professions related to public security. The majority of regulated professions are in the field of healthcare and construction. A teacher, a sports coach and many others are also regulated professions in Latvia (see here: data base of regulated professions).
You need to apply for the recognition of professional qualification, if you want to work in Latvia in a profession mentioned in data base of regulated professions. Otherwise, if your professional qualification is obtained in a profession that is not regulated in Latvia, you can apply to Academic Information Centre only for the academic recognition.
It is possible to carry out both – academic recognition and recognition of professional qualification, if it is necessary. However, in most cases it is not necessary. In order to work in a regulated profession in Latvia, the recognition of a professional qualification must be performed. In turn, an academic statement is issued if, for example, the holder of an education document also wishes to continue studies in Latvia parallel to work.
Documents for academic recognition and recognition of professional qualifications obtained abroad can be submitted in three ways:
- in person, at Dzirnavu Street 16/k2, Riga, showing the original documents;
- by post, enclosing notarized copies of documents with the application;
- electronically by signing documents with a safe electronic signature.
48.38 EUR – academic recognition.
240.00 EUR – recognition of professional qualification.