A career as a physiotherapist in Switzerland always starts with one crucial first step: the SRK PreCheck. This free pre-test is mandatory for everyone with a foreign diploma and determines whether you can proceed to the actual recognition process. For physiotherapists with a European education, this is usually just a formality, but an essential one for your Swiss adventure to be able to start.
What is the SRK PreCheck?
The SRK PreCheck is a mandatory and free preliminary test that has been carried out entirely online by the Schweizerisches Rotes Kreuz (SRK) since December 2018. This digital check answers two important questions: is the SRK the right authority for your diploma and does your application have a chance of success?
The goal is simple: to avoid investing unnecessary time and money in a process that has no chance of success. For physiotherapists with a Dutch, Belgian or German education, a positive PreCheck is usually a formality, because these courses are well suited to Swiss requirements.
How does the PreCheck process work?
The entire process has been set up in a user-friendly way via www.precheck.ch. You create an account, fill in your personal details and upload the necessary documents for your physical therapy course. This includes your diploma, transcript, resume and a copy of your ID.
Once you've uploaded all documents, the review takes up to four weeks. You will receive the result via your online account and receive an email notification. The SRK assesses whether your documents are complete and whether your course in principle qualifies for recognition in Switzerland.
Want to have your PreCheck done via takeoff?
At takeoff, our platform provides you with a personalized document list that specifies exactly which documents you need for your specific situation. This prevents delays because you miss documents or are incorrectly prepared. We thoroughly review all your documents before you submit them. This way, you can avoid rejections due to incomplete or unclear files.
Thanks to our years of experience with SRK applications, we know exactly what the SRK pays attention to and can prepare your documents perfectly. We can even submit the PreCheck entirely to the SRK on your behalf, saving you time and stress. This way, we ensure that the process is as efficient as possible and you can focus on other preparations for your Swiss adventure.
What do the results mean?
At a positive PreCheck you get the green light to proceed to the actual recognition process. You will then have 24 months to submit your complete application and receive information about the next steps and costs. This is the scenario that most European physical therapists can expect.
At a negative PreCheck the SRK informs you about why your application does not qualify and what alternatives are possible. In practice, however, this almost never happens with physiotherapists with a European education. As standard, Dutch, Belgian and German diplomas meet the Swiss requirements for a positive PreCheck.
How to ensure a smooth PreCheck
- Complete and readable documents: The SRK can only make a good opinion if all information is available.
- Correct language: Documents must be in English, German, French or Italian, have them professionally translated if necessary.
- Start on time: Even if the PreCheck only takes four weeks, use this time to prepare other documents for the next step, such as your CCPS and any translations.
The SRK PreCheck is free
The PreCheck itself costs you nothing: this is a free service from the SRK. Only after a positive PreCheck are there costs for the actual recognition process:
- CHF 600 when submitting your complete file
- CHF 330–400 upon successful completion
- CHF 130 for registration in the National Register
Curious what you earn as a physiotherapist in Switzerland? These investments are quickly recouped.
What happens after a positive PreCheck?
A positive PreCheck opens the door to the full recognition process. You have 24 months to submit your complete application, which is more than enough time to properly prepare all the necessary documents. The SRK will send you detailed information about exactly which documents you need and how the further process works.
This is also the perfect time to start other preparations for your Swiss adventure, such as learning German and orienting yourself to your dream job in the most beautiful regions of Switzerland. The further SRK process has also been streamlined within the my.takeoff.physio platform. This way, you can go ahead immediately and get your recognition as quickly as possible.
takeoff makes the PreCheck process easy
At takeoff, we guide you not only through the PreCheck, but through the entire SRK process. Our digital platform gives you a personalized checklist with exactly the documents you need, including sample documents so you know what everything should look like. We'll review your documents before you submit them and can even submit the PreCheck to the SRK on your behalf.
We also help you with other practical issues that come with your move to Switzerland so you can fully focus on your new adventure.
Want to learn more about the SRK recognition?
- Applying for an SRK: the complete roadmap — step-by-step guide through the entire process
- What is an SRK and why is it so important? — everything about the recognition process
- This is how we help you with your SRK application — how takeoff supports you along the way
- The 5 biggest mistakes when requesting SRK — and how to avoid them
Ready to start your PreCheck? Get in touch and we'll walk you through your personal situation.
