Workers – Physiotherapists – France

Updated : 12/2012

Recognition of professional qualifications

Only if you want to workabroad, not for study purposes.

If you obtained your professional qualifications outside the EU, you should check with the relevant authority whether you must apply to have them recognised.

Permanent stay
Temporary stay

Documents [permanent stay]

If you wish to work as a physiotherapist in France on a permanent basis, you must submit the following documents:

completed application form (see at the end of the Official Journal)
proof of nationality (copy of valid passport or identity card)
proof of any change of name
copy of formal qualifications (as a physiotherapist, and other qualifications if available)
proof of professional experience (copies of contracts, references, etc.)
detailed description of your studies at the educational institution, including:
a. total length of the course
b. theory: subjects and lecture hours on each subject
c. practical training: subjects and hours of practice on each subject
d. departments where practical experience was gained, and weeks
spent in each department
certificate of current professional status/certificate of good standing from the relevant health authorities in the most recent country of work and residence. The certificate must confirm that you are legally entitled to practise as a physiotherapist – that you have not been suspended, disqualified or prohibited from practising
The certificate must be issued within the previous 3 months
if the profession of physiotherapist is NOT regulated in your home country, proof that you have worked as a physiotherapist for at least 2 years out of the last 10
Submit contracts or references from employers stating that you've been working as physiotherapist and for how long
certificate of good conduct (original, not a copy) issued by the relevant professional body (if one exists in your country), issued within the past year
if you intend to work as a health professional while you are already in paid employment, you must inform your employer.

All documents – with the exception of your identity card or passport – must be in French. For documents in other languages, you should submit a sworn translation. Certified translations from officially recognised sworn translators of any EU country – or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland – are accepted.

You may be able to find an officially recognised translator by contacting the relevant national translation body .

You must send 2 copies of each document in your application by post. We recommend you use registered post, to avoid any lost documents. Please keep a copy of your application for your records.

Responsible authority [permanent stay]

Directions régionales de la jeunesse, des sports et de la cohésion sociale
Regional directorates for youth, sport and social cohesion

Addresses by region

When can you expect an answer? [permanent stay]

Once you have sent your documents, the authorities have:

1 month – from the time they receive your application – to acknowledge receipt and ask you for any other documents they require
3 months to take a decision, after receiving all the necessary documents.

Cost [permanent stay]

Free of charge.

Documents [temporary stay]

If you wish to work as a physiotherapist in France on a temporary basis you must submit the following documents:

completed declaration form (see at the end of the Official Journal) informing the responsible authority that you want to provide services as a physiotherapist in France
proof of nationality (copy of valid passport or identity card)
copy of formal qualifications (as a physiotherapist, and other qualifications if available)
certificate(s) from the relevant authority in your home country or the country where you have been living, showing that you are legally entitled to practise as a physiotherapist and that you are not barred from practising, permanently or temporarily.

You may be able to find an officially recognised translator by contacting the relevant national translation body.

Send 2 copies of each document to the relevant authority by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.

Responsible authority [temporary stay]

Conseil national des masseurs kinésithérapeutes
National Council of physiotherapists
120-122 Rue Réaumur
75002 Paris
Tel.: +33 01 46 22 32 97
French Council of physiotherapists français

When can you expect an answer? [temporary stay]

Once you have sent your documents, the authorities have:

1 month – from the time they receive your application – to acknowledge receipt and ask you for any other documents they require
3 months to take a decision, after receiving all the necessary documents.

Cost [temporary stay]

Free of charge.

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