Blasting Professionals – recognition of professional qualifications

If you have acquired your professional qualifications in another EEA-state or Switzerland and would like to practice your regulated profession as an authorized rock blaster or authorized rock blasting adviser in Norway, you must submit an application for recognition of your professional qualifications to the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB) before you may practice your profession in Norway.

This rule also applies to technical blasting advisors, certified pyrotechnicians and certified stage pyrotechnicians who wish to practice their profession in Norway, and have acquired their professional qualifications in another EEA-state or Switzerland.

Please submit an application for recognition of your professional qualifications by the following links: 

>> Authorized rock blaster
>> Authorized rock blasting adviser 
>> Technical blasting adviser 
>> Certified pyrotechnician
>> Certified stage pyrotechnician

Rules for Assessment of Your Professional Qualifications
DSB will evaluate your professional qualifications in accordance with Regulations December 22 2017 no. 2384 on the recognition of professional qualifications and Act 16 June 2017 no. 69 on the recognition of professional qualifications, (Directive 2013/55/EC).

Furthermore, DSB will evaluate your professional qualifications based on the current requirements for acquiring the profession in Norway. Thus, rock blasters, rock blasting- and technical advisers must meet the requirements in Regulations 15 June 2017 no. 844 on the civilian handling of explosive substances (the Explosives regulations). For certified pyrotechnicians and certified stage pyrotechnicians, DSB will utilize Regulations June 26 2002 no. 922 on the handling of explosive substances chapter 13, for assessing your professional qualifications. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the above-mentioned rules.

In your application, you must indicate whether you wish to establish yourself in Norway permanently, or if your stay in Norway is of a rather temporary nature.

Requirements for Recognition
Recognition of professional qualifications applies to regulated professions, cf. Regulations December 22 2017 no. 2384 on the recognition of professional qualifications and Act 16 June 2017 no. 69 on the recognition of professional qualifications. Hence, you must already possess the professional qualifications for which you are seeking recognition.  For example, if you apply for recognition as an authorized rock blaster, you are required to have received recognition as such in another EEA-state or Switzerland at the time of your application in Norway.

Furthermore, you must possess the skills in the Norwegian language that are necessary to practice your profession. Please note that the Directorate may test your language skills after you have received recognition of your professional qualifications.

Only companies that have employed a sufficient number of authorized rock blasting advisers and rock blasters may perform rock-blasting activities. Furthermore, such a company must employ at least one rock blasting adviser in a full-time position, cf. the Explosives regulations section 79 paragraph two (enters into effect 1 July 2018).

All professionals within regulated professions in the explosives field are required to have knowledge of and adhere to the rules that apply to the profession.

Requested Documentation and Information

• Copy of passport or other proof of  identity and nationality
• Copy of an original valid certificate showing that you are a legally established professional in another EEA-state or Switzerland
• Confirmation from the authority that issued your certificate that the certificate is valid at the time of application and has not expired or been withdrawn
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Police certificate of conduct, from the country in which you have practiced your profession
• Information on the requirements in your home country for receiving recognition for the regulated profession (name and contact information of school, name of program / studies, period of study, curriculum, practice period duration etc.)
• Information on the type of work you may carry out under the certificate issued for the regulated profession (name and contact information of issuing authority, requirements for the certificate etc.)
• Information on the nature and permanence of the work you plan to undertake in Norway such as length of stay, name of employer, name of project, etc.
• Copy of an original diploma from a relevant education, if certificates are not issued in your country of origin

DSB only accepts documentation and information that has been translated into Norwegian or English by an approved translator, this does not however apply to Swedish and Danish documentation or information.

Case Processing Time
It is important that you take into account that the case processing time will vary depending on the type and complexity of the application. If you are required to complete certain measures in order to offset deficiencies in your professional qualifications, the case processing time may increase.  Please note that the case processing time is calculated from the point in time when DSB has received all necessary documentation and information.