Accreditation as an archaeologist

In the past, as an archaeologist you had to prove that you were sufficiently qualified and had the necessary experience with every request for archaeological research involving an excavation. Since the Immovable Heritage Decree (Dutch: Onroerenderfgoeddecreet) you only have to apply once for a designation as accredited archaeologist, regardless of a specific contract or project.

Today, as an archaeologist, you require accreditation if you are responsible for an excavation and/or for the submission of the documents in the archaeological process (archaeology assessment report, assessment report, preliminary archaeological report or final report). In order to apply for project codes, you also require accreditation. After all, the accredited archaeologist is the one who is held liable for the content and the process to be followed.

Conditions

Since 1 April 2019, accreditation for archaeologists has been divided into two types.

Accredited type 1 archaeologists may carry out preliminary archaeological research involving an excavation.
Accredited type 2 archaeologists may only carry out preliminary archaeological research involving an excavation.

These two types apply to both legal persons and natural persons.

You will be accredited on the basis of criteria such as education and relevant experience. Furthermore, you must work in accordance with the established Code of Good practice for Archeology and Metal Detecting (in Dutch)(opens in new window).

Accreditation Conditions

In order to apply for accreditation as type 1 archaeologist, you must be able to demonstrate sufficient experience in fieldwork, in particular active participation in an excavation or preliminary research involving an excavation:

A natural person must be able to demonstrate at least one year (240 days) of fieldwork experience in the ten years preceding the application.
A legal person must employ at least one natural person with at least three years (720 days) of fieldwork experience in the 10 years preceding the application.

You must also have suitable storage infrastructure for the temporary preservation of archaeological finds.

To apply for accreditation as type 2 archaeologist, no excavation experience is required, nor do you need to have suitable storage infrastructure.

If you want to become an accredited type 1 or 2 archaeologist, you must follow basic training on the Code of Good Practice prior to applying for accreditation. Accredited archaeologists must also attend at least one refresher course on the Code of Good Practice every two years.

Are you a national of another EU Member State or a third country?

Accredited type 1 and 2 archaeologists are regulated professions. This means that you must meet certain requirements (diploma, qualification certificate, experience) in order to be allowed to exercise these professions. You will find the accreditation conditions for type 1 and 2 archaeologists on this website. If you are an EU citizen or equivalent person and you do not have a Belgian diploma, you can be accredited as archaeologist if you have obtained an equivalent diploma or professional qualification in a European Member State and meet the accreditation conditions. Equivalent persons are, for example, nationals of Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein or long-term residents.

The assessment of the diploma or qualification certificate is carried out by NARIC Flanders. More information on the European Directive (2005/36/EC) and the relevant Flemish regulations can be found on the NARIC website.

The accreditation conditions for accredited type 1 and type 2 archaeologists are the same in Flanders for both temporary and permanent establishment.

Procedure

You can apply for designation as accredited type 1 or 2 archaeologist by means of an application form (natural person or legal person).

If your application is approved, you will receive proof of identity within a maximum period of 4 months.

Accreditation is granted for an indefinite period. You may lose your accreditation if you do not comply with the provisions of the decree, if you do not work in accordance with the Code of Good Practice or if you no longer meet the accreditation conditions.

The application form and more information about the accreditation (in Dutch)(opens in new window) can be found on the website of Flanders Heritage Agency (Dutch: agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed).

Exceptions

A number of bodies are legally designated as accredited type 1 archaeologist. They are accredited through a simplified accreditation procedure:

universities that offer an archaeology master programme. Their accreditation only applies to the university as a legal person and to archaeological research addressing scientific questions
Flanders Heritage Agency as a legal person.

Read this page in:

Nederlands