Last updated on 16 November 2020
The system for the recognition of academic titles follows different procedures depending on the training sectors involved. The procedures depend on the responsibilities assigned to the various institutions providing the service (State and regions).
In particular:
- Education sector, this is a State responsibility (Ministry of Education, regional education offices and educational establishments), leading to the issue of secondary school, technical and vocational certificates of upper secondary education at the end of the second stage of education (QNQ/EQF level 4). The procedure for recognition of academic titles equivalent to certificates of upper secondary education is only accessible
- to Community citizens
- to holders of international protection
- to Italian nationals who have obtained the title abroad,
- to Italian citizens who have acquired citizenship by marriage or naturalisation.
For the sole purpose of taking part in public competitions, third-country nationals holding a long-term EU residence permit may apply for ‘equivalence’ of the academic title they hold, valid solely for the purposes of the competition procedure.
You must submit your application for recognition of your title to the regional educational offices, accompanied by:
- the original diploma for which recognition is requested or a certified copy, translated and accompanied by a declaration of value;
- the list of subjects taught issued in official form by the home institution, translated;
- a detailed syllabus of subjects studied in each year (ministerial syllabus), translated.
You may be asked to carry out any additional tests considered necessary in order to fully match your title with the title you are submitting for recognition. This will be done through the appointment of a special ministerial board.
With the exception of equivalent titles for participation in public competitions, the measure recognising the title, gives legal status to an academic title valid throughout Italy
- The vocational education and training sector, which is the responsibility of individual regions, consisting of:
- three-year vocational education and training courses issuing vocational qualifications (NQF/EQF level 3) and four-year pathways awarding vocational diplomas NQF/EQF level 4) defined with the National register of reference profiles for vocational qualifications and diplomas.
The courses are standardised throughout Italy. The recognition procedure is the responsibility of the individual regions. You can apply for recognition in one of the regions where the training course for which you are seeking recognition is held.
The measure recognising the qualification (three-year qualification or professional diploma) is valid throughout Italy, irrespective of the region granting recognition - vocational training courses of varying duration (six-monthly, annual, biennial and triennial) which issue certificates and/or titles relating to the reference professional profiles defined by the individual regions with the regional qualification registers. The recognition procedure is the responsibility of the region where the course is taught and for which recognition of the final title is requested. You can apply for recognition in the region where the training course for which you are seeking recognition is held.
In this case, the title recognition measure is valid only within the region granting recognition.