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

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.

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.

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.

Legislative framework

Sections 10-2 and 10-3 of the Regulations concerning the performance of work, use of work equipment and related technical requirements

Sections 9-1 and 9-2 of the Regulations concerning administrative arrangements within the area of application of the Working Environment Act

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