BIG re-registration requirements definitively adjusted for all PhD candidates

All PhD candidates are now definitively eligible for re-registration in the BIG register based on equivalent work. Minister Schippers (Health, Welfare and Sport) published the amendment to the Regulation on Periodic Registration under the BIG Act in the Government Gazette on July 13th . Last year, problems appeared to arise for a large group of PhD candidates because their research work did not automatically count as work experience for re-registration. The PNN BIG working group, consisting of PhD candidates from all eight university medical centers, had strongly advocated for this solution, which has now become final with this publication. The practical implementation of this amendment can be found in section 5.2 of the assessment frameworks for each individual profession.  

Pharmacists, physicians, physiotherapists, healthcare psychologists, psychotherapists, dentists, midwives, and nurses are required to re-register in the BIG register five years after obtaining their diploma. To facilitate this, a standard number of hours has been established. Previously, it seemed that many PhD candidates in the medical field would not be able to meet this standard, as their doctoral work often did not count towards it. Because PhD research will now be considered equivalent work, PhD candidates can re-register after completing their dissertations.

The PNN's BIG working group, composed of PhD candidates from all eight university medical centers, met with the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) to discuss the requirements for BIG re-registration. Constructive discussions with the Ministry and other parties have now resulted in a solution for physicians pursuing PhDs.

The PNN, in collaboration with the Netherlands Federation of University Medical Centers (NFU) and the Royal Dutch Medical Association (KNMG), previously wrote a more extensive article for the Netherlands Journal of Medicine ( NTvG ) about the amendment to the Regulation on Periodic Registration of the Individual Healthcare Professions Act (Wet BIG) regarding PhD candidates. The practical implementation of this amendment can be found in section 5.2 of the assessment frameworks (available for each profession at: https://www.bigregister.nl/herregistratie). The Employer's Declaration for PhD candidates can be found on the same website.