Assessment of applications for authorization as an osteopath
Which rules for recognition to apply depends on the applicant's citizenship and country of education. Regardless of whether an applicant is treated according to Danish, EU/EEA or 3rd country rules, we’ll assess the applicant's education in osteopathy in relation to the requirements in Executive order no. 981 of June 28, 2018 on the Authorization of Osteopaths.
Osteopaths with training from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland
For applicants with education and citizenship from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, recognition is based on the EU recognition directive 2005/36/EC, which is embodied in Executive Order no. 49 of January 13, 2010 on EU- and EEA nationals' access to practice as an authorized healthcare professional.
Application for authorization - EU member states
Osteopaths with training from a country outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland
For applicants with education from a country outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, recognition is based on Executive Order No. 478 of 10/05/2013 on the authorization of specific healthcare professionals, who are nationals of and/or educated in countries outside the EU/EEA.
Application for authorization - Non-EU countries
Osteopaths with training from Denmark
For applicants with a Danish education, recognition is solely based on Executive order no. 981 of June 28, 2018 on the Authorization of Osteopaths. As there is currently no Danish education in osteopathy, it is at the time not possible to apply for authorization as an osteopath with a Danish education. However, there has previously existed a program considered to be Danish. If you have a diploma/certificate from Denmark, please contact us, before you apply for authorization.
Competences prior to obtaining Danish authorization
To obtain Danish authorization as an osteopath, you need:
- A health-related professional education in osteopathy equivalent to a professional bachelor's level or
- An education in osteopathy that has been completed as a Master’s level/graduate level to:
- Another health-related education at a professional bachelor's level, or
- Another health-related medium-term higher education supplemented with scientific theory and method at diploma level or equivalent.
The educational program must have a duration of minimum 4.200 hours, including a minimum of 1.000 hours of supervised clinical training/practice and contain the following professional elements:
- Scientific theory, ethics and research methodology
- Osteopathic philosophy and principles
- Professional communication, information technology, health informatics
- Movement science
- Osteopathic examination, diagnosis, investigation and treatment
- Disease theory/pathology and differential diagnostics
- Anatomy incl. neuroanatomy, embryology and viscera
- Clinical biomechanics, including posturology
- Osteopathic manipulative techniques
- Health promotion and preventive healthcare
- Pain science
- Working environment, health, safety and functional capacity
- Human physiology and nutrition
- Pharmacology
- Health psychology
- General education and health education
- Legislation, administration, health economics and management of health efforts
- Public health and social medicine
These requirements are described in Executive order no. 981 of 28 June 2018 on the authorization of osteopaths.
Ended 5-year transition period for practicing osteopaths
In connection with the introduction of Danish authorizations for osteopaths in 2018, a transition period for osteopaths was created. The transition period is mentioned in Chapter 28 of the Authorization Act, and included osteopaths who, when the authorization period came into force on July 1, 2018, carried out activities as osteopaths in Denmark.
The transition period was supposed to help ensure that those osteopaths who did not immediately meet the requirements to obtain Danish authorization had time to adapt to the new regulation, for example by extra training or education.
During the transition period, those who already carried out activities as osteopaths on 1 July 2018 could continue to carry out their activities and call themselves osteopaths. However, a person without Danish authorization as an osteopath were not allowed to perform manipulation treatment of the spine.
After the end of the transition period on June 30, 2023, only authorized osteopaths can use the title osteopath. After June 30, 2023, it’s still possible to perform osteopathic treatment without Danish authorization, but it’s not permitted to use the title "osteopath" and it’s also not be permitted to perform manipulation treatment of the spine.
Manipulation treatment of the spine
Manipulation treatment of the spine is according § 52, para. 5 of the Authorization Act reserved to chiropractors, medical doctors, osteopaths, physiotherapists and registered alternative therapists with a minimum of 250 hours of education within manual treatment. According §§ 78 and 79 of the Authorization Act you can be imposed with a fine if you exercise manipulation treatment of the spine, use the title “osteopath” or in any way give the impression that you have an authorization as an osteopath, if you do not have an authorization as an osteopath.
More about the registration of alternative therapists (danish only)