Competent Authorities for Recognition of International Qualifications

Competent Authority means any regulatory or professional body empowered by the State to validate professional qualifications obtained in a country other than the Republic of Ireland.

All queries on the recognition of qualifications and on temporary provision of services should be addressed to the relevant Competent Authority.

CORU is now the Competent Authority for the following professions:

• Dietitians
• Dispensing Opticians
• Medical Scientists
• Occupational Therapists
• Optometrists
• Physiotherapists
• Podiatrists/Chiropodists
• Radiographers and Radiation Therapists
• Social Workers
• Social Care Workers
• Speech and Language Therapists

Physiotherapists - Transfer of Competent Authority for Recognition of International Qualifications - 30 September 2016

The Physiotherapists Registration Board at CORU established its Register on 30 September 2016. As and from the 30 September 2016 the Board is designated as the Competent Authority for the profession of physiotherapist under Directive 2005/36/EC and will assess all new applications for the recognition of physiotherapist professional qualifications awarded outside the Republic of Ireland.

Applications received from 30 September 2016 must be on the CORU Recognition Application Form and should be addressed to:

The Registrar, CORU, Infinity Building, George's Court, George's Lane, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 E98Y.

Please find the CORU Recognition Application Form and guidance notes here.

Medical Scientists - Transfer of Competent Authority for Recognition of International Qualifications - 31 March 2019

The Medical Scientists Registration Board at CORU established its Register on 31 March 2019. As and from the 31 March 2019 the Board is designated as the Competent Authority for the profession of medical scientist under Directive 2005/36/EC and will assess all new applications for the recognition of medical scientist professional qualifications awarded outside the Republic of Ireland.

Please note that application forms received by CORU from 30 September 2016 must be on the CORU Recognition Application Form. Applications not on the CORU Recognition Application Form will not be accepted after this date.

Should you require further information on the recognition application process with CORU following 30 September 2016, please contact recognition@coru.ie

If you have already had your professional qualification recognised by the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists and hold a Letter of Recognition you do not need to apply for recognition at CORU.

If you require any additional information on applying for registration, please contact registration@coru.ie

Competent Authorities for other professions