Do you want to work in the healthcare sector in the Netherlands? Then you must have an entry in the BIG register. Are you a healthcare employee and did not obtain your degree in the Netherlands? From January 1, 2024, it will be mandatory to obtain a language certificate. The language level of MBO nurses must be at B1 level. For HBO nurses at B2 level and for academics at B2+ level.

When can I take the language test for BIG registration?

Once you have the required language level of Dutch, MBO nurses B1 level, HBO nurses B2 level and for academics at B2+ level, you can take the language test.

After taking the Dutch for Doctors courses, am I at B2+ level?

If you want to reach B2+ level, you have to practice the language a lot yourself. We will give you the necessary input, books and notes, but you must learn everything we give you well, so that you can later apply what you have learned well in practice. We also expect you to be persistent. Don't stop training and continue learning even if it is difficult.

If you persevere and learn well, you will reach your goal with Dutch for Doctors' training programs.

Rest assured: You are not the first to have gone through the trainings. More than 50 doctors were ahead of you and passed the test with us!

Most probably not. You can work as a supervised medical professional in the Netherlands. However, you must first find an employer who is willing to hire you without BIG registration. Most employers make BIG registration a condition for hiring a medical professional from abroad.

Yes, you must obtain a B2 level in Dutch if you want to work in the Netherlands. For Belgium, C1-level Dutch applies. This is to ensure that the professional from abroad can offer the patient equivalent service and expertise and has sufficient language skills to recognize, explain and cure medical problems.

Medical professionals without prior knowledge of the Dutch language need an average of 11 months of intensive training to meet the language requirements for BIG registration.

This number varies from case to case and depends on factors such as mother tongue, foreign language skills, willingness to learn intensively, perseverance to learn intensively, ability to distinguish between different grammatical forms, analytical and strategic thinking also play a role.

No, you do not need any prior knowledge if you choose Dentaal All the way or Dentaal Basic Training.

It depends. For some students it is difficult, others find it easy to learn Dutch.

Even if the road is not always easy, we at Dutch for Doctors believe that learning a high-level language is a fun, positive experience!

Usually you will receive the results of the test within 5 working days.

On the result form you can find the exact number of points you obtained for each test component writing, speaking, reading, listening and you will also find feedback on language. This is the standard feedback that we send along with the result. If you have passed the test, there is no feedback on language. It is not possible to view the underlying assessment forms and/or the video. If you disagree with the results, you can object.

The test for BIG registration contains four components: speaking, writing, listening, reading. Each component is tested separately.

You can prepare for any section with us. Contact us. We're going to help you so you can succeed on the language test.

Depending on which section is tested, the time you get for it is different.

For reading, you get 1.5 hours. For writing, you also get 1.5 hours. For listening 45 minutes and for speaking 15 minutes.

You may retake, provided it is not the MBO tests. You may not retake these.

Usually you will receive a language certificate in the mail within 2 weeks.

When you have the required language level, we will let you know.

You may then register for the language test for BIG registration. We give you the address.