HPR number (Norwegian Health Personnel Register)

Helsepersonellregisteret (the Health Personnel Register) is a public register of every official authorisation (autorisasjon) and licence (lisens) given to health personnel in Norway. Helsedirektoratet says it shows your current status and rights and the full history of earlier approvals, including changes after decisions by the Norwegian Board of Health Supervision. Each person has an HPR number, which the register displays.

The point that surprises many applicants is that the Directorate does not issue authorisation documents on paper. The register entry is the proof, and you can print a copy from it at any time.

You get an HPR number when Helsedirektoratet grants you authorisation or a licence. For someone trained outside the EU and EEA that comes at the end of a long route: the Directorate states a processing time of 23 months for these applicants, after which you must complete the additional requirements, such as Norwegian at B2 and the national course. The HPR number is how the register identifies you, so keep it to hand for employers.

Employers must check your authorisation, licence and specialist status in the HPR every time they hire you. If you hold a limited licence, Helsedirektoratet says employers should also ask to see the licence decision, because the register does not show every condition.

1. Open the public search at register.helsedirektoratet.no/hpr.
2. Search for yourself; the register shows your HPR number and approvals.
3. If red text says a Norwegian identifier is missing, use the button to the registration form and link your national identity number or D-number to your HPR entry.

The HPR is linked to the National Population Register, so name changes and a switch from a D-number to a national identity number normally update automatically. People registered without either number must link it themselves; Helsedirektoratet says this takes up to one week. If other details have also changed, email the Directorate with documentation instead.

The HPR records two main kinds of approval. Authorisation (autorisasjon) is the full right to practise and use the protected title. A licence (lisens) is a limited approval for people who do not qualify for authorisation, granted under section 49 of the Health Personnel Act, and it can be limited in time, to one position, to certain tasks or to practice under supervision. Specialist approval for doctors and dentists is recorded separately. All of these appear on your HPR entry once granted.

• Asking for a paper licence. There is none; send employers to the register or a printout.
• No Norwegian ID linked. Many foreign-trained staff are registered without one, which blocks automatic updates.
• Authorisation ending at 80. Authorisation expires automatically at age 80, after which a licence is needed.
• Restoring a lapsed entry. Helsedirektoratet lists eight weeks for restoration of HPR registration.

For the full route see our Norway guide and the Helsedirektoratet page.