Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications – VTCT: Documentation

New procedure for the recognition of professional qualifications obtained at centers accredited by the British body VTCT or ITEC/VTCT, based in Eastleigh (UK), for practicing as a Hairdresser in Italy (e.g., VTCT Level 3 NVQ in Hairdressing, VTCT Level 3 NVQ in Barbering, or ITEC/VTCT Level 3 NVQ in Hairdressing/Barbering).

Since January 1, 2017, public administrations are no longer allowed to accept paper applications. Therefore, users must use the electronic forms, which are fillable online without downloading.

1. Application form (downloadable)
2. Annex to the application
3. Instructions for completion

Application form (downloadable)

• Download the form

The application must include proof of payment of a €32.00 stamp duty, payable via bank transfer to:

Beneficiary: Bilancio dello Stato Capo VIII, Capitolo 1205, art. 1

BIC: BITAITRRENT

IBAN: IT 07Y 01000 03245 348 008 1205 01

Purpose: Full name – Stamp duty for recognition request at MIMIT

All communications will be sent to the address provided in the application. Applicants must promptly notify any address changes via:

Certified email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The administration is not responsible for undelivered communications due to incorrect or outdated contact details.

Annex to the Application

• Download the attachment

A self-declaration of conformity to the original documents must be submitted, pursuant to Articles 46 and 47 of Presidential Decree 445/2000. The administration will verify the truthfulness of the declarations under Article 71 of the same decree. False declarations may result in loss of benefits and legal reporting under Article 331 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Instructions for Completion

The form must be completed in its entirety. In particular, fields marked in red are mandatory, and failure to complete them will result in the application being rejected by the Office.

Proceeding in order:

In the first section, PERSONAL DATA, all reference information about the applicant requesting recognition must be provided.

The second section, ACTIVITY, is mandatory as it concerns qualifications issued in the United Kingdom for practicing as a hairdresser in Italy.

Attention is drawn to the third section, DECLARATION OF RESPONSIBILITY, which states that all declarations made by the applicant are under oath, both regarding personal facts and the authenticity of the submitted documents. The Office will verify the truthfulness of these declarations in accordance with Article 71 of Presidential Decree 445/2000.

The ATTACHMENTS section requires a valid identification document. Acceptable identification documents are those issued by public authorities (e.g., identity card, driver’s license) that include the holder’s personal and residential information as well as a photograph.

For non-EU citizens only, a valid residence permit/card is required, issued for reasons that allow the exercise of self-employed business activities.

In addition to the documents listed above, the following must also be submitted:

A Declaration of Value in loco for NVQ certificates Levels 1, 2, and 3. (This is a summary document that certifies the authenticity and legitimacy of all submitted documentation. It is issued by the Italian diplomatic representation (Embassy or Consulate) located in the country where the qualification was obtained. As specified in the Circular of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dated April 2, 2001, No. 5716, it must confirm the nature of the educational and professional qualifications and their local value for professional purposes.

The Declaration of Value in loco must include the following information:

The professional qualification obtained;

• A description of the education system of the country that issued the qualification;
• The legal duration of the training;
• The place where the training was completed;
• Whether the profession is regulated in that country and whether the qualification held by the applicant is necessary and sufficient to practice the profession;
• Confirmation that the applicant meets all the requirements established by local legislation to practice the profession in the country of origin.

The Declaration of Value must be accompanied by the documentation submitted to the diplomatic representation for its issuance. These qualifications and certificates (including exams or subjects covered during the course) and their local professional value must be Duly legalized and Accompanied by  a translation into Italian:

Legalization can be carried out in one of the following ways:

• At the Italian diplomatic representation (Embassy or Consulate) in the UK;
• With an Apostille, issued by the competent local authority, as the United Kingdom is a signatory to the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961 (HCCH | #12 - Status table).

Translation into Italian can be carried out in one of the following ways:

• simple translations accompanied by a Self Affidavit

or

• certified translations written by a third party translator recognized by the Member State of origin or by another State of the European Union.

The DECLARATIONS section (also under oath) must include the start and end dates of the course for each level.

The Attachments section requires the following documents:

1. The certificate issued by the UK certifying body VTCT to the Italian school.
2. The Declaration of Value in loco.
3. A substitute declaration by the legal representative of the authorized school, including: Start and end dates of training activities for each level; Number of hours completed and officially recorded by the training center; Content of the training provided. This declaration must follow the standard template currently in use. The electronic form allows two options: Upload of the digitally signed original electronic document by the school’s legal representative;Upload of a PDF/A scan of the original paper document signed by hand, including a copy of the legal representative’s ID in the same PDF file.
4. The contract between the school and the applicant. Two options are available: Upload of the digitally signed original electronic document by both the school’s legal representative and the applicant; Upload of a PDF/A scan of the original paper document signed by both parties, including a copy of the legal representative’s ID in the same file.
5. Invoices for course payments. Two options: Upload of the original electronic invoice; Upload of a PDF/A scan of the original paper invoice signed by the legal representative, including their ID in the same file.
6. A declaration of conformity to the original contract, issued by the school’s legal representative. This must follow the standard template and can be submitted: As a digitally signed document, or As a PDF/A scan of the original paper document signed by hand, including the legal representative’s ID.
7. It should be noted that, since 2003, legal representatives or sole proprietors are required to have a digital signature device. Therefore, the option to submit a scanned copy of a handwritten signature must be duly justified.
8. Tax Charges Section. This section requires payment of a stamp duty via bank transfer to the State Treasury, as per the guidelines from the Italian Revenue Agency and the Prime Minister’s Office. The application must include proof of payment of €32.00, made to: Beneficiary: Bilancio dello Stato Capo VIII, Capitolo 1205, art. 1 BIC: BITAITRRENT - IBAN: IT 07Y 01000 03245 348 008 1205 01 Purpose: Full name – Stamp duty for recognition request at MIMIT.

The following details must be provided:

1. Date of the bank transfer
2. Name of the bank
3. Transfer receipt number. Applicants must also indicate the SUAP office where they will submit their registration request. Signature Section. Two options are available: Digital signature of the document; PDF/A scan of the handwritten signature, using the official template.The completed file, including all required attachments, must be sent to the following certified email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . It must be sent exclusively from another certified email address.

4. Only PDF/A format is accepted, in compliance with the Digital Administration Code.
5. Domiciliation Section. This field is mandatory if the applicant wishes to receive communications at a different address than the one provided in the Personal Data section. If left blank, the office will use the address indicated at the top of the application. Selecting "Yes" confirms the address in the Personal Data section. Selecting "No" allows entry of a new address.If the domicile is a business or professional, a certified email address must also be provided (mandatory for all businesses and professionals since 2012).
6. A scan of the bank transfer receipt must also be attached.

Useful Information and Contacts

Information about the application will be provided only to the applicant or to a person with a written authorization (proxy) and a valid ID.

Certified Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The officials in charge of the proceedings, can be contacted by writing to the PEC This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or to the respective e-mail addresses that are indicated at the foot of the communications.