The Supervisory Authority for Legal Services (Advokattilsynet) is responsible for the recognition of advocates and other legal professions (jurist) in Norway. It is also the official body supervising advocates in Norway. 

The protection of the title ‘jurist’ – Foreign law degree

A person with a foreign law degree may be granted authorization as a trainee lawyer if they are entitled to use the title ‘jurist’. 

Up until 1st of January 2025, the title ‘jurist’ was unofficially understood as a person who has obtained a law degree – regardless of whether the degree was obtained at a Norwegian University or abroad. 

According to the Act, ‘jurist’ is now a protected title by law, which means that it is now a regulated profession subject directly by virtue of legislative provisions in the Lawyers Act (advokatloven) and the Lawyers Regulation of 2024 (advokatforskriften). Thus, one must possess specific professional qualifications to obtain the title. Keep in mind that it is only the use of the title ‘jurist’ that is regulated by law, not which operations a ‘jurist’ can carry out. 

A person who has obtained a qualifying law degree at a Norwegian University (‘Master i rettsvitenskap’ or ‘juridisk embetseksamen’) is entitled to title themselves as ‘jurist’ without any further notice, according to section 67 first paragraph of the Lawyers Act. 

A person who has obtained their law degree abroad must apply for recognition of their professional qualifications obtained in the respective country in order to lawfully title themselves as ‘jurist’, according to the second paragraph and the Lawyers Act section 67 and the Act relating to the recognition of professional qualifications (yrkeskvalifikasjonsloven).

Before obtaining such recognition from The Supervisory Authority, anyone who applies to become a ‘jurist’ must pass an aptitude test, provided that the conditions outlined in in section 61 of the Lawyers regulation are met. 

If the conditions are met, The Supervisory Authority will issue a certificate stating that the candidate is eligible to apply for taking the aptitude test. The test measures the candidate’s knowledge of Norwegian law. This certificate must be forwarded to the arranger of the test, the University of Oslo.  

The requirements as prescribed by law are met when passing the aptitude test.

The Supervisory Authority for Legal Services is the body responsible for processing the applications and issuing the necessary approvals and certifications. 

Applications must be submitted per e-mail to post@tilsynet.no. Alternatively, the applications along with the necessary documentation can be submitted by mail.

 

Persons with a law degree obtained in another EU/EEA-state, Switzerland or the United Kingdom

The Lawyer Regulation applies in all EEA countries and sets out the requirements for approval as a ‘jurist’. In addition, the EFTA states and the United Kingdom signed a free trade agreement, which also consists of a chapter regarding the recognition of professional qualifications. The Supervisory Authority will assess applications in accordance with the obligations as set out by these legal frameworks. 

The following documentation must be attached to the application: 

• Diploma of the obtained law degree. The degree must be equivalent to the Norwegian Master’s of Law (5 years – master i rettsvitenskap/juridisk embetseksamen). Transcript of records must also be submitted. The transcript/diploma must show the composition of subjects, exams taken, grades, educational level, ECTS credits, and the length of the education. The law degree must meet the educational requirement to work in a position equivalent to the Norwegian lawer-in-training (‘advokatfullmektig’) position in your home state (the country where you obtained your law degree). 
• Confirmation from the competent authority in your home state (normally the national bar association/ministry of justice) stating that you are eligible to work as an authorized lawyer-in-training or that you are eligible to apply for the lawyer’s license. 
• A copy of your passport, ID card or other official ID documentation showing your citizenship. Copies must be certified by a practicing lawyer, court or another Norwegian public institution. 

Official translations must accompany any document in which the original language is not English or a Scandinavian language. We only accept translations from state-authorized translators.

 

Persons with legal education from Denmark, Sweden, Finland or Iceland

You may apply for approval to use the title ‘jurist’ under the conditions as set out in the Nordic Agreement (Nordisk overenskomst om nordisk samarbeidsmarked for personer med yrkeskompetansegivende, høyere utdannelse av minst tre års varighet); See section 61 second paragraph of the Lawyers Regulation (advokatforskriften).

The following documentation must be attached to the application:

• You must have obtained a degree equivalent to a Norwegian Master of Laws (Master i rettsvitenskap/juridisk embetseksamen) in your home country:
  • Denmark: Kandidatutdannelsen (cand.jur)
  • Sweden: Juristexamen
  • Finland: Finnish Master of Laws
  • Iceland: Icelandic Master of Laws (mag.jur)
• A copy of your passport or ID card showing your citizenship. A copy of your passport must be certified by a practicing lawyer, court, or another Norwegian public institution.
• Official translations of documents not originally written in English or a Scandinavian language must be included with the application. Only translations by a government-authorized translator are accepted.

As a condition for approval, it may be required that the applicant has satisfactory knowledge of either Danish, Norwegian, or Swedish.

 

If you are not covered by an international agreement

The Supervisory Authority may, in exceptional cases, give a person approval to use the title ‘jurist’ based on an overall assessment of your exams and professional experience, particularly here in Norway. The conditions for such approval are strict. 

The following documentation must be attached to the application:

• If you have obtained your law degree in a country outside the EEA, you must demonstrate that you have obtained a degree equivalent to the the Norwegian Master’s of Law (5 years – master i rettsvitenskap/juridisk embetseksamen). The law degree must meet the educational requirement to work in a position equivalent to the Norwegian lawer-in-training (‘advokatfullmektig’) position in your home state (the country where you obtained your law degree). 
• Confirmation from the competent authority in your home state (normally the national bar association/ministry of justice) stating that your law degree meets the educational requirement to work in a position equivalent to the Norwegian lawer-in-training (‘advokatfullmektig’) position in the respective home state.
• Transcript of records must also be submitted. The transcript/diploma must show the composition of subjects, exams taken, grades, educational level, ECTS credits, and the length of the education.
• A copy of your passport, ID-card or other official ID-documentation showing your citizenship. This must be certified by a practicing lawyer, court or another Norwegian public institution. 

Official translations must accompany any document in which the original language is not English or a Scandinavian language. We only accept translations from state-authorized translators.

Only applicants with professional experience from Norwegian companies/institutions will have their activities assessed. 

 

Aptitude test

As a general rule, anyone applying for recognition of their professional qualifications must pass an aptitude test, cf. Section 61, fourth paragraph, of the Regulations for Advocates.

Passing the aptitude test is also an requirement for those applying for the Norwegian practicing license, unless you complete a three year trial period as an EEA-lawyer in Norway, see information below. 

The University of Oslo – Faculty of Law is the responsible arranger of the aptitude test. The test is conducted in Norwegian and assesses the candidate's knowledge of Norwegian legal subjects.
Before a candidate may take the aptitude test, the Supervisory Authority  (Advokattilsynet) must assess whether the applicant meets the requirement of having obtained an equivalent professional qualification.

An exemption applies to individuals with professional qualifications from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland, until the end of 2025.

A certificate will be issued stating that the applicant is eligible to take the test. Upon passing the test, the Supervisory Council will declare that the applicant is authorized to use the title jurist.

Fee for the aptitude test: NOK 12,000

For more information about the content of the test and how to register, see the University of Oslo’s website.

 

If you hold a law degree from another state and wish to work as a lawyer-in-training (advokatfullmektig) in Norway:

The common route for a law graduate to obtain the practicing license (advokatbevilling) in Norway, is working as an authorized lawyer-in training (advokatfullmektig) for at least two years under the supervision of a practicing Norwegian lawyer. 

According to section 62 of the Lawyers Regulation, a person who holds a foreign law degree and wishes to work as a lawyer-in-training must, as a first step, apply to become a ‘jurist’. 

After becoming a ‘jurist’, the supervising lawyer (prinsipalen) can apply to authorize the person in question as a lawyer-in training (advokatfullmektig), cf. section 11 of Advokatloven. 

 

Become a Norwegian practicing advocate

As an advocate from another EU/EEA-state, Switzerland, Great Britain or one of the Nordic countries, you can apply to obtain the Norwegian practicing license in accordance with provisions in the Lawyer’s Regulation section 63 to 65. 

Processing the application requires that you also register your legal practice. The Supervisory Authority will process such applications in two steps. 

When the Supervisory Authority has assessed whether the conditions for issuing the lawyer’s license are fulfilled, you will be asked to provide information about employment relationships, as well as security for any professional misconduct, pay the annual contribution to the Supervisory Authority and provide written confirmation from an auditor for acceptance of its appointment as auditor.

Official translations must accompany any document in which the original language is not English or a Scandinavian language. We only accept translations from state-authorized translators.

Applications must be submitted per e-mail to post@tilsynet.no. Alternatively, the applications along with the necessary documentation can be submitted by mail.

 

Lawyers from EU/EEA or Switzerland

A citizen of an EEA-state, Switzerland or a third country-national who holds a residence permit in accordance with directive 2004/38/EC (Citizens’ Rights Directive) and holds the lawyer’s license in another EEA-state or in Switzerland are, if certain conditions are fulfilled, eligible to obtain the Norwegian practicing certificate. 

The right to practice shall not be revoked, suspended or withdrawn in your home state.

Firstly, you must prove that you hold an equivalent/corresponding right in your member state of domicile. 

To document this, the following documentation must be submitted: 

• A declaration from competent authority in your home state, confirming that you have a license to practice, and that there are no pending charges against you. (Normally we receive a declaration from the applicants Bar Association in original/as verified copy translated into English or in Norwegian by an authorized translator.) This declaration should not be older than three months.
• Verified copy of passport or other documentation which confirms that you are a citizen of an EU/EEA state or Switzerland. If you reside in Norway based on the Citizens’ Rights Directive, you must provide documentation accordingly.
• Extended ordinary police certificate (Utvidet ordinær politiattest - criminal record) issued by the Norwegian Police. The Supervisory Authority must receive the certificate in original format or forwarded via one of the digital postal systems - either “Altinn”, "Digipost" or “e-boks”. The certification cannot be older than three months.

In addition, you must complete either one of the following options:

a) Passed an aptitude test ("egnethetsprøven"). See information about the aptitude test above.

Before taking the test, you must obtain a declaration from the Supervisory Authority stating that you meet the formal requirements to take the test. To receive this declaration, you will need to submit documentation proving that you hold a valid lawyer's license from an EU/EEA state.

b) You must provide documentation stating that you have practiced as a registered EU/EEA lawyer or as a Swiss lawyer in Norway for at least three years and that you have primarily practiced Norwegian law. An exception to this requirement can be made if the applicant has otherwise acquired sufficient knowledge of Norwegian law. For further information, please contact the Supervisory Authority.

Language requirement: The Supervisory Authority can require that the applicant possesses the language skills necessary to practice the legal profession, cf. the Act relating to the recognition of professional qualifications section 15.

 

Lawyers from Great Britain

If you hold the British solicitor’s or barrister’s license, you can apply to become a Norwegian qualified lawyer, cf. the Professional Qualifications Regulation chapter 11 (yrkeskvalifikasjonsforskriften).

Along with the application, you must also submit documentation as prescribed above – “Lawyer’s from EU/EEA or Switzerland”. 

In addition, you need to pass an aptitude test arranged by the University of Oslo. See information above, alternative a).

 

Lawyers holding a practicing certificate from a Nordic country

If you hold the lawyer’s license in one of the Nordic countries, you can apply to become a Norwegian qualified lawyer.

Along with the application, you must also submit the documentation as prescribed above – “Lawyer’s from EU/EEA or Switzerland”. 

Until the end of 2025, lawyers from a Nordic country are exempted from passing an aptitude test or completing a trial period (alternative a) or b) above). After 2025, a lawyer must make sure that either alternative a) or b) as prescribed above, is fulfilled before applying for obtaining the Norwegian license. 

The Supervisory Authority requires that you have sufficient proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish or Danish. 

 

Becoming a Norwegian practicing advocate with a license from a non-EU-country

There are no equivalent provisions for obtaining the Norwegian practicing certificate with a practicing certificate from a state outside the EEA-area. A lawyer holding a certificate from a country outside the EEA must fulfill the general conditions as stipulated in section 4 of the Act (advokatloven). The requirement of holding an equivalent foreign law degree (“tilsvarende utenlandsk juridisk utdanning”) is fulfilled if you have obtained the ‘jurist’-title, cf. the Regulation section 63.

See information about the protection of the ‘jurist’-title above. 

 

Practising as a foreign lawyer in Norway

Register as an EU/EEA-lawyer or Swiss lawyer

You can register as an EU/EEA or Swizz lawyer in Norway. This will allow you to practice law in Norway, but you must use the professional title attained in your member state of domicile. 

Working as an EU/EEA-lawyer for at least three years gives ground for obtaining the Norwegian practicing license, under the condition that you have mainly practiced Norwegian Law.

The right to practice shall not be revoked, suspended or withdrawn in your home state.
To be registered we do require the following documentation:

Processing the registration notice requires that you also register your legal practice. The Supervisory Authority will process such registrations in two steps. 

To register as an EEA-lawyer, this form (oppstart som EØS-advokat) must be filled and submitted along with the required documentation. When the Supervisory Authority finds that the requirements are fulfilled you will be asked to provide information about employment relationships, as well as security for any professional misconduct, pay the annual contribution to the Supervisory Authority and provide a written confirmation from an auditor for acceptance of its appointment as auditor (alternatively apply for an exception from this duty if you are an employee). 

Official translations must accompany any document in which the original language is not English or a Scandinavian language. We only accept translations from state-authorized translators.

Written notice must be submitted per e-mail to post@tilsynet.no. Alternatively, the applications along with the necessary documentation can be submitted by mail.

In order to be registered as an EEA-lawyer or Switzerland, we ask you to provide the following documentation for the first part of the application:

• A declaration from competent authority in your home state, confirming that you have a license to practice, and that there are no pending charges against you. (Normally we receive a declaration from the competent bar association in original/as a verified copy translated into English or in Norwegian by an authorized translator.) This declaration should not be older than three months.
• Verified copy of passport issued by a member state or other documentation which shows Membership of state.
• Extended ordinary police certificate (Utvidet ordinær politiattest - criminal record) issued by the Norwegian Police. The Supervisory Authority must receive the certificate in original format or forwarded via one of the digital postal systems - either “Altinn”, "Digipost" or “e-boks”. The certification cannot be older than three months. This declaration can also be obtained from your home state if you have stayed in Norway for a shorter period of time.
• You will also need to register a business enterprise in Norway or be employed by a law company in Norway.

 

If you hold the professional title of lawyer from a country outside the EU/EEA and wish to practice as a lawyer in Norway

Lawyers holding a practicing certificate in a state outside the EU/EEA-are can be granted permission to practice as a foreign lawyer in Norway on a permanent basis.

The right to practice shall not be revoked, suspended or withdrawn in your home state.

Processing the application requires that you also register your legal practice. The Supervisory Authority will process such registrations in two steps. 

To apply for such permission, this form (skjema for søknad om registrering som utenlandsk advokat) must be filled in and submitted along with the required documentation. When the Supervisory Authority finds the said requirements are fulfilled, you will be asked to provide information about employment relationships, as well as security for any professional misconduct,  pay the annual contribution to the Supervisory Authority and  provide a written confirmation from an auditor for acceptance of its appointment as auditor (alternatively apply for an exception from this duty if you are an employee).

When the Supervisory Authority has assessed whether the conditions for issuing the lawyer’s license are fulfilled, you will be asked to provide information about your employer/workplace. 

Applications must be submitted per e-mail to post@tilsynet.no. Alternatively, the applications along with the necessary documentation can be submitted by mail.

Official translations must accompany any document in which the original language is not English or a Scandinavian language. We only accept translations from state-authorized translators.

NB: This permission does not give grounds for obtaining the Norwegian license. Also, it does not give the lawyer the right to litigate before a court. The court decides whether the lawyer is eligible to litigate in the specific case. You cannot act as a supervising lawyer (prinsipal) for a lawyer-in-training (advokatfullmektig). 

In part one of the application process, we ask you to provide the following documentation:

 

• A declaration from competent authority in your home state, confirming that you have a license to practice, and that there are no pending charges against you. (Normally we receive a declaration from the applicants’ Bar Association in original format/as verified copy translated into English or in Norwegian by an authorized translator.) This declaration should not be older than three months.
• Verified copy of a passport or other documentation which confirms citizenship Documentation from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) stating that you have been granted permission to stay or to work in Norway.
• Extended ordinary police certificate (Utvidet ordinær politiattest - criminal record) issued by the Norwegian Police. The Supervisory Authority must receive the certificate in original format or forwarded via one of the digital postal systems - either “Altinn”, "Digipost" or “e-boks”. The certification cannot be older than three months. This declaration can also be obtained from your home state if you have stayed in Norway for a shorter period of time.
• You will also need to register a business enterprise in Norway or be employed by a law company in Norway.

 

Guest lawyer

Foreign lawyers established in another state may provide legal assistance in Norway on an occasional basis.

A foreign lawyer who provides legal assistance in Norway as a "guest lawyer" shall use his or her professional title in the language or one of the languages from the country where the person holds the license. 

Norwegian authorities and courts of law may require documentation verifying that the person in question is entitled to practice as a lawyer in a foreign state. When such documentation has been required, the person in question is not entitled to provide legal assistance in Norway before satisfactory documentation has been presented, unless the relevant authority or court of law gives its consent.