Conference on the European Professional Card

This Conference will provide participants with the opportunity to discuss the advantages and challenges of the European Professional Card (EPC). Participants will also be able to learn how the Internal Market Information System (IMI) procedures work and hear about professionals' and authorities' first impressions from using the system.

In parallel with the EPC, the EU’s modernised Professional Qualifications Directive also introduced a proactive alert mechanism on professionals in the health and education sectors who have been prohibited or restricted from practice or who have used falsified documentation for their professional recognition. Conference participants will be able to learn more on how the enhanced mobility introduced by the EPC will be coupled with increased safety through the alert mechanism.

We welcome attendance to this event from a broad range of stakeholders, including professionals, representatives of national competent authorities, representatives of professional organisations and associations at national and EU level, trade unions and employers associations, academics, and others.

Background

The introduction of the EPC was one of the major achievements of the modernisation of the Professional Qualifications Directive.  The EPC is an innovative tool and fully electronic recognition procedure which further facilitates the mobility of professionals. This includes both employees and the self-employed. The EPC procedure is based on the well-established IMI and provides possibilities for professionals to communicate with authorities electronically. The EPC will first be available in early 2016 for general care nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, real estate agents and mountain guides.