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Becoming a member

If you wish to become part of the professional NVA society, please fill in the application form for membership.
Please first read the requirements for membership if you have obtained your acupuncture/TCM and medical diploma outside The Netherlands, as well as our policy concerning command of the Dutch language. We offer opportunities to meet these requirements in the first three years of your membership. The NVA's Department of Education and Science will assess your medical and professional education and will advise you if necessary. If you need help, don’t hesitate to call the NVA-office.

Applicants with Dutch degrees

1. Medical education:
The NVA has set specific requirements for candidate members concerning their basic medical education. In general, the required level is comparable to a regular medical education. As of April 2018, however, admission with MBK (basic medical education) of at least 40 ECTS is possible, with the obligation to follow a specific medical educational programme during the first 3 years of membership, next to the normal profession-related days (6 days in 3 years). 

2. Acupuncture education:
As far as the acupuncture education is concerned, a diploma of one of the six
NVA-approved acupuncture education institutes in the Netherlands and Belgium is required for NVA-membership.  List of accredited education institutes

Applicants with degrees from abroad

There are similar requirements for people with degrees from abroad concerning Western Medical Education, acupuncture training, communicational skills (practitioner-patient communication) and language skills. Depending on the background of the applicant, one or more of these may be tested in an exam. These exams will be in English. The acupuncture exam will cover theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Validated certificates
Certified translations in either Dutch or English should be enclosed of all diplomas concerning both foreign basic medical education and acupuncture education.
In the case of a foreign nationality, a copy of the residence permit should also be enclosed.

1. Medical education:
Persons with foreign diplomas concerning basic medical education should have their diplomas validated by the IcDW (International Credential Evaluation (IDW) in the Netherlands. See http://www.idw.nl

The department of Education and Science of the NVA (afdeling Onderwijs en Wetenschap (O&W)) will assess if the completed basic medical education meets the NVA requirements for membership (minimum level of bachelor degree).

2. Acupuncture education:
Candidates from abroad with a foreign acupuncture diploma should also have their diplomas validated by IcDW. See http://www.idw.nl
This is a difficult area for IcDW, though. In some cases IcDW only validates the medical part of a combined training (medical plus acupuncture), p.e. at Chinese universities, and/or confirm the authenticity of the diploma.

The department of Education and Science of the NVA will assess the diplomas. They can approve the diploma with or without any additional demands or give permission to participate in a regular acupuncture exam at an acupuncture education institute accredited by the NVA. Diplomas accredited by the BAAB (British Acupuncture Accreditation Board) are usually accepted.

Insufficient
Candidates with diplomas or testimonials that are assessed as being insufficient by the department of Education and Science of the NVA will be rejected for membership.

Language skills
If the candidate can prove sufficient skills in the English language (CEFR at least level B2), it is possible to apply for membership. However, it is mandatory to acquire Dutch language skills during the first three years in practice, after which an exam at NT2 level B2 will have to be taken. If there is no such proof, NVA membership can only start after the required exam in Dutch language has been passed successfully.

CEFR level B2: https://www.cambridgeenglish.o...

Dutch as a Foreign Language: http://cnavt.org/en/introducti...