If you would like to work in the Netherlands or in the Dutch sector as a professional diver, diving supervisor, diver medical attendant and/or diving physician you need to know that this types of jobs are regulated. If a profession is regulated, there are certain criteria you need to meet to be able to work in that type of job. The Dutch government has laid out the requirements in an Act of Parliament and in the so called certification schemes.

More information given by the EU in the  EU User Guide EU Directive 2005/36/EU; All you need to know about recognition of professional qualifications.
This guide is in many languages translated. 

For each type of job and/or sector there is a 'competent authority' that checks whether you meet the requirements. The NDC-CI, certifying institute, is a competent authority, appointed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment for the jobs professional diver, diving supervisor, diver medical attendant and diving physician. If you are a professional who is trained and qualified for the profession (proven by authority/ies) you can apply for. 

Proof of Assessment

You are an European Economic Area (EEA) national and you want to work temporary or incidentally (approx 40 days per year) in the Netherlands / Dutch Sector.

(if you are not an EU/EEA national please contact us for the option POA Non-EU (you can find more information by following this link: POA non-EU)

In a nutshell

*) including diver medical = Certificate of medical fitness to dive /  fit to perform hyperbaric labour

During control of documents the issuing / authenticity of your certificate will be verified.
If you do not meet the requirements and/or your training is not equal to Dutch standard  NDC-CI imposes measurements.

Costs: Full list of costs

Certificate

You want to work in the Netherlands on a permanent basis.

In a nutshell

*) including diver medical = Certificate of medical fitness to dive /  fit to perform hyperbaric labour
**) a Closed Bell Diver does not have to attend a practical exam
***) Dutch BIG registered occupational physician - go to KNMG
****) not older than 2 years

During control of documents the issuing / authenticity of your certificate will be verified.
If you do not meet the requirements and/or your training is not equal to Dutch standard NDC-CI imposes measurements. This can be an extra training to meet the Dutch requirements.

The SWOD exam regulations foresee in re-exams. During the process NDC-CI communicates about deadlines and dates for the next step(s) in the process.

A certificate is issued if the result is positive. More information about certificates – scroll

For an impression in a flowchart go to this page.

For more information about scope/categories professional diver and/or diving Supervisor go to this page.

Language
The NDC-CI communicates in Dutch and English. The theoretical exams are available in Dutch and English as well and will be taken digitally. NDC-CI provides tablets and laptops.

Duration of an application
As soon as all documents are received, declared admissible and payment is received the next step(s) will take place by appointment. After making a decision in the process the NDC-CI informes the applicant within 2 or 3 weeks (legally it can take 6 weeks).

Costs: Full list of costs

Applications using the NDC-CI portal
All applications can be submitted by using the NDC-CI Portal. https://www.ndcci-portal.nl

Important to know

Validity period per certificate
Certificates Professional Diver

• are registered in the SWOD Public Register
• are issued for four (4) years
• validity condition: proving continuously competency in the scope – an obliged 2-yearly portfolio check – recertification similar and in 4^th year a practical test taken by examiners.
• For the costs of certification, 2-yearly portfolio check and recertification, please check: Full list of costs

Certificates Diving Supervisor

• are registered in the SWOD Public Register
• are issued for four (4) years
• validity condition: proving continuously competency in the scope – an obliged 2-yearly portfolio check – recertification similar. Besides the logbook check also a theoretical examination taken by the certifying institute and the proof of attending an on site pre-announced practical assessment / test taken by a trained and approved diving supervisor at the dive site.
• For the costs of certification, 2-yearly portfolio check and recertification, please check: Full list of costs

For requirements 2-yearly portfolio/interim check go to this page.
Re-certification process go to this page.

Certificate Diver Medical Attendant

• are registered in the SWOD Public Register
• are issued for two (2) years
• must be periodically renewed by attending refresher training every two years including exams

Certificate Diving physician

• are registered in the SWOD Public Register
• are issued for four (4) years
• validity conditions: proving continuously competency in the scope – an obliged yearly portfolio check - at least 10 diving medical tests per year & attending every year a special refresher course

Suspension/withdrawal
If you are too late to respond on an invitation for interim check and/or you do not meet the validity requirement(s) your certificate will be suspended and/or withdrawn. As soon as you need to start the procedure for interim check and/or the recertification process you will be informed about the requirements, the processes of suspension / withdrawal and how to regain your permission to work. If the holder does not meet the validity requirements the NDC-CI imposes measurements.

Appeal
Certification and assessment is subject to the rules set out in the Working Conditions Legislation and the General Law on Government procedures. Appeals against decisions must be made within 6 weeks after receipt of the decision (see the date on the letter).

The appeal must contain:

• Name and address of applicant / certificate holder / person involved.
• Date of sending the letter / email
• Description of the decision (reference) against which the objection is directed
• The grounds / arguments on which the objection is based
• Signature of person involved

The NDC-CI appoints a person and/or a committee that will handle the objection. A hearing can be part of the process.
An appeal can be sent to   NDC-CI, P.O. Box 714, 2600 AS DELFT, The Netherlands and/or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Complaint(s)
After every exam the candidates will receive an evaluation form. However it is possible to complain additionally. We need the same details and will follow an almost similar process as we do with appeal procedure. See above.
A complaint can be sent to NDC-CI, P.O. Box 714, 2600 AS DELFT, The Netherlands and/or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Diver medical certificate
Persons carrying out diving work, caisson work and other work under hyperbaric conditions need to proof they are fit – the need a diver medical certificate (A certificate of medical fitness to dive). This medical certificate must be valid and issued by a recognized diving physician of the EU/EER land where you have your resident (provided that the protocol is similar) or a certificate issued by a Dutch recognized diving physician. (see the "lijst van duikerartsen”)
For more information visit our Health and Safety Catalogue: www.ArbocatalogusWoO.nl/en

Certification system
Hyperbaric Labour – diving - has the status of -  risk full -  and professionals are certification obliged by law.  The Dutch certification system is based on the International Norm IEC 17024: certification of persons.  The English translation of the Dutch Working Conditions Act, Decree and Regulation is available on the OSHA Europe website or on the website of the enforcer Inspectorate of SZW .