CIBG

CIBG stands for Centraal Informatiepunt Beroepsbeoefenaren Gezondheidszorg. It is a Dutch government agency that operates as the central information point for healthcare professionals in the Netherlands. CIBG is part of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) and supports the regulatory framework for the provision of health care by maintaining essential professional information and services.

The primary function of CIBG is to manage the BIG-register, which lists health professionals who are authorized to practice under the Besluit Individuele Gezondheidszorg (BIG) act. The register covers a range of professions, including doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, and other health care workers. CIBG issues registrations and licenses, handles renewals, and records changes in a professional’s status, such as name changes, specializations, or practiced capacities. It also processes the recognition of foreign qualifications and can provide certificates or confirmations of professional status for individuals seeking to work in the Netherlands.

In addition to registration activities, CIBG provides information to professionals and the public, supporting transparency about professional status, scope of practice, and any sanctions or limitations associated with a practitioner. The agency collaborates with educational institutions, professional associations, and healthcare authorities to ensure that registration data reflect current standards and that patient safety is safeguarded through reliable verification of qualifications and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Overall, CIBG plays a central role in the Dutch health care system by administering the official records that determine who may legally provide medical and other health services in the country, and by facilitating mobility and trust in healthcare professionals.