It is about determining the academic value, level, content expressed in learning outcomes, workload and quality of a foreign qualification in comparison to the national qualifications of the receiving country.

ArmENIC evaluates foreign qualifications and provides advice to education institutions in Armenia, which ultimately make the final decision on recognition for purposes of continuing education.  The core principle of recognition defined in the Lisbon Recognition Convention (LRC) states that a foreign qualification should be recognized unless there are “substantial differences” between it and the comparable qualification in the host country. The burden of proving substantial differences lies with the recognizing authority, not the applicant.

The centre also assists with professional recognition both for non-regulated and regulated professions, by providing information on the rights attached to a qualification and its compatibility with national ones as well as additional requirements.

Professional recognition refers to the formal acknowledgment of an individual’s foreign qualification for the purpose of practicing a specific profession in a particular country. It essentially grants the right to work in a profession that might be regulated by national laws and standards.

There are two main types of professional recognition:

• De Jure Professional Recognition (Regulated Professions): This applies to professions where the right to work is legally regulated (e.g., medical doctor, lawyer, architect, pharmacist, teacher). For these professions, specific national laws and regulations dictate the qualifications, licenses, and often, additional examinations or practical training required to practice. Recognition for regulated professions often involves comparing the foreign qualification and curriculum to the host country’s requirements and potentially undergoing compensatory measures.
• De Facto Professional Recognition (Non-Regulated Professions): This applies to professions where there are no specific national legal authorizations or licenses required to practice. In these cases, professional recognition helps employers understand the compatibility and value of a foreign qualification with national similar qualifications. While not legally mandated for employment, it can significantly aid in job seeking and career advancement.

In Armenia, the responsibility for professional recognition is distributed among various bodies, depending on whether the profession is regulated or not, and the specific field. While ArmENIC’s primary mandate is academic recognition (for continuing education), it also plays a crucial role in professional recognition both for non-regulated professions and regulated professions.

ArmENIC evaluates foreign qualifications and provides information and advice on their compatibility with Armenian qualifications. This advice is often taken into account by employers for non-regulated professions. For regulated professions, ArmENIC can provide general information, but the final recognition decision rests with the specific competent authority.

There are also competent authorities for professions that are legally regulated, the specific competent authority responsible for a profession makes the final decision on professional recognition and grants the right to practice. These authorities often fall under the relevant ministries:

• Ministry of Health is the body for medical and healthcare professions (e.g., doctors, nurses, pharmacists) and defines the requirements for licensing and practice in these fields.
• Ministry of Justice is for legal professions (e.g., lawyers, notaries) overseeing the qualifications and licensing for legal practitioners. The competent body for advocates is the Chamber of Advocates.
• Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports is responsible for recognizing qualifications for professions like teaching or other educational roles.
• Other Ministries/Bodies: Depending on the specific regulated profession (e.g., engineers, architects), other relevant ministries or professional chambers/associations might be the designated competent authorities.

For professional recognition, it is recommended to start with ArmENIC which can provide an assessment of an academic qualification and general guidance on competent authority and national legislation varying depending on the profession.