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Registering with a professional council in Brazil
In Brazil, regulated professions are practised only after registering with their council. With a foreign degree, that usually means revalidating it first, then meeting the council's own rules.
In short
In Brazil you can practise a regulated profession only after registering with its council; the Constitution lets the law set the qualifications. With a foreign degree, revalidate it first. Some councils add an exam, such as the OAB bar exam for lawyers or the sufficiency exam for accountants, and some ask to see a visa or residence.
- Rule
- Regulated professions need council registration
- Diploma
- A foreign degree is revalidated first
- Exams
- Some councils add their own, such as the OAB bar exam
- Residence
- Some councils ask for a visa or residence
What some councils ask of foreigners
- Doctors register with the regional medical council (CRM), with a diploma revalidated by a public university and a sworn translation. A foreigner with a temporary visa and residence can register; Mercosur nationals don't have to prove a permanent visa.
- The federal medical council dropped its Portuguese-certificate requirement in 2022, but some regional councils still list it.
- Engineers register with the regional engineering council (CREA) with a revalidated diploma. A foreigner hired under contract can get temporary registration when professionals are scarce, at the council's discretion.
- Lawyers need a revalidated law degree and a pass in the OAB bar exam. A foreign lawyer can instead register as a consultant in foreign law, with a residence visa and reciprocity, without advising on Brazilian law.
- Accountants need an accounting degree recognised by the Ministry of Education, the accounting council's sufficiency exam and registration with the regional council (CRC).
How it works
- Check whether your profession is regulated in Brazil and which council registers it.
- Revalidate your diploma at a Brazilian university.
- Pass any exam the council requires.
- Sort out your visa or residence, which some councils ask to see.
- Register with the regional council for where you'll work.
Find the Federal Police unit for where you live →
Documents
- Your revalidated diploma
- A sworn translation of the original diploma, where the council asks
- Your ID and proof of your visa or residence
- Proof you passed the council's exam, if it has one
Each council sets its own document list and fees. Check the regional council's page before you apply.
Line up your work visa with your registration
Most professionals need a work visa or residence as well as their council registration. An OAB-registered lawyer who works on immigration cases can handle the visa side. You choose them from Emigro's directory of independent lawyers.
See lawyers who handle work visa cases Or talk to a lawyer firstRather talk to an immigration lawyer first?
Send a short note to an independent immigration lawyer who uses Emigro. If they offer a paid call, you can pick a time on their calendar right away; otherwise they reply by email.
Official sources
Federal Constitution, art. 5, XIII ↗
Medical councils law (Lei 3.268/1957), art. 17 ↗
CFM Resolution 2.216/2018 (foreign doctors) ↗
CFM Resolution 2.313/2022 (Portuguese certificate dropped) ↗
Engineering law (Lei 5.194/1966), arts. 2 and 55 ↗
Statute of the Legal Profession (Lei 8.906/1994), art. 8 ↗
OAB Provision 91/2000 (foreign legal consultants) ↗
Accounting law (Decree-Law 9.295/1946), art. 12 ↗
Checked against official sources on October 25, 2026. Emigro gives preliminary guidance, not legal advice. Emigro is a private company, not affiliated with the Brazilian government, the Federal Police, Itamaraty, the Ministry of Justice or the Receita Federal. Emigro is not a law firm and does not provide legal services. Lawyers listed are independent, registered with the OAB, and solely responsible for their advice.
Common questions
Do foreign doctors need Celpe-Bras to register with a CRM?
The federal medical council dropped that requirement in 2022 (CFM Resolution 2.313/2022), but some regional councils still list it, so check your state's CRM.
Can a foreign lawyer practise in Brazil?
To practise Brazilian law, revalidate your law degree and pass the OAB bar exam. Otherwise the OAB can register you as a consultant in foreign law, limited to the law of your own country.
Can a foreign engineer work in Brazil before revalidating?
The engineering councils can register a foreigner hired under contract temporarily, at their discretion, when professionals are scarce.
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