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Starting in a profession
Before you can start your own practice, you need to satisfy a number of legal criteria. Once these are met, you are free to start and set up your business.
Characteristics of most professions are:
- specific diploma requirements;
- prior training and continuous education;
- independence;
- service consists mainly of intellectual performance;
- personal responsibility of the practitioner of the profession;
- subject to a deontological code;
- the existence of specific legislation.
The law lays down three criteria for starters in a profession.
- Criterion 1: Are you of age?
- Only those who have come of age can start up their own business.
- Criterion 2: Are you entitled to work in Belgium?
- You must be Belgian or come from one of the member states of the EEA (European Economic Area).
- Or possess a professional card:
- if you do not have Belgian nationality; if you do not have the nationality of one of the member states of the EEA or are not entitled to an exemption from the mandatory professional card, then you should apply for one.
- You can request this permission from the authorities at your Securex Company Desk.
- Criterion 3: Do you fulfil the professional requirements?
- For most professions you must fulfil the requirements as regards diplomas, location of business, taking of oath, work experience and admission exams.
The professions are divided into 4 groups:
- medical sector: e.g. pharmacist, general practitioner, nurse, midwife, physiotherapist, veterinary surgeon, patient transport
- legal sector: e.g. bailiff, lawyer, notary
- accountancy sector: e.g. book-keeper, accountant, auditor
- construction sector: e.g. surveyor, (interior) architect, engineer
- intellectual service sector: e.g. insurance broker, artistic manager, translator/interpreter, journalist, psychologist
When you set up your professional business, you are required to register with the Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen, via your Securex Company Desk.
human capital matters
