Apply for permit to use foreign qualifications for the use of forklift trucks, cranes and earth-moving equipment

Professionals with education or qualifications from other countries need a permit from Norwegian authorities before using work equipment such as forklift trucks, cranes, and earth-moving equipment in Norway. The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority issue permits for these types of work equipment, which are considered to have a high safety risk.

The permit issued by the Labour Inspection Authority must be used in combination with the foreign proficiency certificate.

The permit alone is not sufficient for use of the work equipment in Norway. The employer must assess whether the professional is fit for work health-wise and must provide on-site training in the work equipment used.

Which types of equipment require certified safety training?

In Norway, certified safety training is required for the following types of work equipment:

  • Gantry and overhead travelling cranes (if such use entails risk of injury or death)
  • Tower cranes
  • Mobile cranes
  • Portal cranes
  • Offshore crane
  • Truck-mounted cranes with capacities exceeding 2 tm
  • Lifting and stacking vehicles for goods with a permanent operator seat on the vehicle (for Norwegian classification of truck)
  • Earth-moving machinery with effect exceeding 15 kW (20.4 HP)

Who may be granted a permit by the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority?

  • Professionals with qualifications from another EEA state or Switzerland who
    • are EEA or Swiss citizens.
    • are family members of an EEA or Swiss citizen.
    • who have a residence and work permit in another EEA state or Switzerland
  • Professionals with  qualifications from the United Kingdom.

The Labour Inspection Authority does not grant permits if professional qualifications are acquired from outside the EEA, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom.

How to apply

There are separate forms and procedures for prior declaration of temporary service and for establishment in Norway. In the case of temporary work, the assignment is assessed based on duration, frequency, and continuity in the individual case.

Application for recognition of professional qualifications to use work equipment when establishing themselves in Norway (PDF)

If you are having trouble downloading the form, get help by sending an e-mail to info@signform.no.

The processing time is normally one month. The professional will be notified if the application is incomplete or if the processing is delayed. The application must be decided no later than three months after complete documentation has been received.

If the Labour Inspection Authority has not decided by the time limits set, the matter may be appealed to the Norwegian Directorate of Labour Inspection.

If you give consent on the form to share data, your employer may apply on your behalf.

Declaration in advance of temporary service and prior check of qualification to use work equipment (PDF)

If you are having trouble downloading the form, get help by sending an e-mail to info@signform.no.

The processing time is normally one month. The professional will be notified if the declaration is incomplete or if the processing is delayed. The Labour Inspection Authority must decide if permit shall be granted no later than two months after complete documentation has been received.

In the absence of a reply from the Labour Inspection Authority within the deadlines, the professional may provide the service.

If you give consent on the form to share data, your employer may apply on your behalf.

The completed application form, including the applicant’s contact information, is to be submitted through eDialog.

Alternatively, the application can be submitted via mail or e-mail:

Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority
Postboks 4720 , Torgarden
7468 Trondheim

E-mail: post@arbeidstilsynet.no

Documentation requirements

If the documentation requirements have been met, the professional is granted the right to perform the profession in Norway.

The documentation requirements are the same, regardless of whether the professional will provide temporarily service in Norway, or if the professional will establish themselves in Norway. We only require documents the first time we receive a declaration in advance. For subsequent temporary services, only the prior declaration is needed, no documentation. The professional must renew the declaration every 12 months.

If the professional qualifications change, the Labour Inspection Authority requires that the professional submits documents once again. The permit will be updated.

The documentation requirements vary, depending on whether the occupation is regulated by law and regulation, or is unregulated. If the occupation is not subject to regulation, an additional work experience certificate is required.

  • Copy of passport or national ID card
  • For Nordic nationals, a driving licence will be accepted, provided nationality is confirmed

  • Copy of all pages of the original proficiency certificate from another EEA state, Switzerland or the United Kingdom

  • Professional qualifications from the EEA or Switzerland in an unregulated occupation:
    • Documentation of one year work experience with the relevant work equipment from the last 10 years in another EEA state or Switzerland, or
  • Professional qualifications from the United Kingdom if the profession is unregulated

Overview of occupations which require a work experience certificate:

This overview shows which occupations are not subject to regulation by country and type of work equipment (forklift trucks, cranes, and earth-moving machines), and therefore require a work experience certificate.

Country Forklift trucks Earth-moving machines Cranes
Austria No Yes No
Belgium Yes Yes Yes
Bulgaria No No No
Croatia No No No
Czech Republic Yes Yes Yes
Denmark No Yes No
Estonia Yes Yes Yes
Finland Yes No Yes, for G3, G4, G8
France Yes Yes No
Germany Yes Yes Yes
Greece No No No
Hungary No No No
Ireland Yes No No
Iceland No No No
Italy No No No
Latvia Yes No Yes
Lithuania No No No
Netherlands Yes No No
Poland No No No
Portugal Yes Yes Yes
Romania No No No
Slovakia No No No
Slovenia Yes Yes Yes
Spain Yes Yes Yes, for G3, G4
Sweden No No No