Professional qualifications
What you need to know and be able to do in order to practise a profession is laid down in a professional qualification.
Search function for professional qualifications
Find all professional qualifications by searching by name, synonyms or number.
You can obtain a professional qualification through:
Benefits of professional qualifications
Levels of professional qualifications
| FQF level | Example of professional qualifications |
|---|---|
| 8 | - |
| 7 | Architect Clinical psychologist |
| 6 | Social worker Property manager |
| 5 | Dispatcher goods transport HR expert |
| 4 | Baker Receptionist |
| 3 | Concierge Nail stylist |
| 2 | Window cleaner Slaughterhouse worker |
| 1 | - |
Preparing and submitting a professional qualification file
- Stap 1
If you would like to start compiling a file, please contact(opens in your email application) AHOVOKS or complete the digital application form for professional qualifications (in Dutch)(opens in new window).
- Stap 2
The AHOVOKS process facilitator explains the procedure for obtaining a recognised professional qualification. It is essential to understand the structure and principles of the Flemish qualification framework. The process facilitator will also assist you in compiling your application. The manual for drawing up a professional qualification (in Dutch)(Word file opens in new window) will also guide you through this process.
- Stap 3
Submit your professional qualification file to the competent authorities within your organisation, for example the board of directors or the executive committee. Also have the submission letter for the professional qualification file (in Dutch)(Word file opens in new window) signed. With a signed submission letter, you indicate that your organisation agrees with the contents of the file.
- Stap 4
Send the file and the cover letter to AHOVOKS:
- by post:
Agency for Higher Education, Adult Education, Qualifications & Study Grants
Hendrik Conscience Building
Koning Albert II-laan 15 bus 132
1210 Brussels
- Stap 5
Check the status of your submitted professional qualification files in the search function for professional qualifications (in Dutch)(opens in new window). Your process facilitator will provide you with a username and password.
These documents provide support:
Procedure for recording professional qualifications
- Stap 1
A professional qualification file is created by defining a profession, determining the necessary competencies and describing the context, autonomy and responsibility of the professional.
By whom: Representatives of the labour market supported by AHOVOKS process facilitators. - Stap 2
Can you practise a profession based on the competences described in the professional qualification file? And do these competences have social, cultural or labour market relevance? This is checked during the validation process.
By whom: The validation committee: representatives of the interprofessional social partners, VDAB, Vlaio, with the support of AHOVOKS. When it comes to professional qualifications for social roles, the validation committee is composed as follows: representatives from the leisure and voluntary sectors, with the support of AHOVOKS. - Stap 3
The professional qualification file is assigned an FQF level based on the Flemish classification method.
By whom: The classification committee: representatives of SERV, Vlor, VDAB, Vlaio and AHOVOKS. When it comes to professional qualifications for social roles, the classification committee is composed as follows: representatives from the leisure and voluntary sectors, Vlor, VDAB, Vlaio and AHOVOKS. - Stap 4
The professional qualification is recognised on the basis of the results of the validation, the classification and a quality assessment of the entire process.
By whom: Flemish Government. - Stap 5
The recognised professional qualification will be included in the qualifications database.
By whom: AHOVOKS.
Check the status
New professional qualifications are constantly developed, and existing professional qualifications updated. An overview of these can be found here.
Consulting occupational clusters
The relationship between professional qualifications can also be consulted via the occupational clusters (in Dutch)(opens in new window).
The Flemish qualification framework
Find out more about the place of professional qualifications in the Flemish qualifications framework.