CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE V-NISSG

Certain treatments use, amongst other things, laser radiation or light. These pose risks to the tissue. Since 1 June 2019, a law and an ordinance have therefore regulated treatments involving radiation and sound. Some treatments use products that generate non-ionising radiation, such as laser radiation or light. This places significant strain on the irradiated tissue.

If such treatments are not carried out properly, the skin, eyes and other tissues are exposed to significant risks. To minimise these risks, the Federal Act on Protection against Hazards from Non-ionising Radiation and Sound (NISSG) sets out appropriate measures, which are listed in the sections below. These measures are specified in the Ordinance V-NISSG. The Act and the Ordinance came into force on 1 June 2019.

Background information on expertise

TREATMENTS USING NON-IONISING RADIATION AND ULTRASOUND

AUSBILDUNG ZUR SACHKUNDE

(EN translated)

All training institutions wishing to offer the training course leading to the certificate of competence must submit their application forms to the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) by the end of August 2021. This also applies to the SGMK. The FOPH will review the applications by around March 2022 and then publish a list of all training institutions that have been accredited for this purpose. Further information on whether, from when and where the SGMK will offer this training will follow as soon as it becomes available. We will, of course, do our utmost to ensure that we can also offer the training at our premises from April 2022.

CERTIFICATES OF EXPERTISE

From 1 June 2024, the treatments involving non-ionising radiation or sound listed in the V-NISSG may only be carried out by persons who have obtained the relevant certificate of competence. There are seven different certificates of competence, which are expected to be available from April 2022 (Table 1). A steering group comprising six relevant associations[1] has drawn up the training programmes and examination content for the training and examinations leading to these certificates of competence. A certificate of competence serves as confirmation that a graduate has acquired the necessary qualifications and entitles them to carry out the listed treatments.

[1] Swiss Association of Beauticians with Federal Certificate of Competence (ASE CFC), Swiss Association of Beauticians and Beauty Salon Owners (ASEPIB), Swiss Professional Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM-FVS), Swiss Society for Medical Cosmetics (SGMK), Swiss Podiatry Association (SPV / OPS), Association of Swiss Professional Tattoo Artists (VST)

STRUCTURE OF THE CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCE

The certificate of competence consists of three modules: the Fundamentals module, the Technologies module, and seven different modules covering treatment-specific knowledge and skills (BKF), which cover all treatments requiring a certificate of competence. Depending on prior learning and training (Table 2), there are two pathways to obtaining a certificate of competence.

Path 1 is aimed at anyone who does not meet the requirements for Path 2. Here, the Basics module must first be completed and passed. Afterwards, the Technologies module can be undertaken, and following successful completion of this module, the standard Treatment-Specific Knowledge and Skills (BKF) module. The certificate of competence is awarded upon passing the standard BKF module.

Path 2 is aimed at beauticians with an EFZ, FA or HFP qualification, as well as dermapigmentologists with higher vocational training. These individuals can complete the ‘Fundamentals’ module in a shortened version (1.5 days for EFZ/1 day for FA/HFP) and attend the ‘Technologies’ module either before or after this. Upon successful completion of the shortened ‘Fundamentals’ module and the ‘Technologies’ module, the modules for treatment-specific knowledge and skills (BKF) can be attended. Upon passing the examination for a BFK module, the relevant certificate of competence is awarded.

The duration of the training varies between approximately three and eleven days, depending on the training pathway and the certificate of competence.

THE MODULES

Basics Module

The ‘Fundamentals’ module provides the essential basic knowledge required for treatments in accordance with V-NISSG in the following areas: anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of human skin and hair; changes in the skin, blood vessels, nails and tissues; and the assessment of skin, hair, blood vessels, nails and tissues.

Technologies Module

The Technologies module provides a basic understanding of the technologies underpinning the treatments specified in the V-NISSG. The Technologies module comprises two parts: Part 1: Optical Radiation (laser and IPL), which must be attended by all participants, and Part 2: Radiofrequency, Low Frequency, Ultrasound, Shockwave and Cryolipolysis, which must be attended by all participants except podiatrists and acupuncturists.

Module: Treatment-specific knowledge and skills (BKF)

The BKF module can be offered in either a standard or an extended format for each certificate of competence, depending on the trainee’s requirements. Whilst the ‘Fundamentals’ and ‘Technologies’ modules are the same for all certificates of competence, the BKF modules teach treatment-specific practical skills and techniques, as well as providing an in-depth understanding of the specialist knowledge required to carry out treatments in accordance with the V-NISSG. There are a total of seven modules covering all treatments, which are offered by an examination board.

BKF modules (standard)

The standard BKF module is aimed at all individuals without prior training, those who do not belong to groups B–F as set out in Table 2, and those who have already obtained a certificate of competence in accordance with the rules of the organising body’s examination regulations. Standard BKF modules are only available for cosmetic treatments.

Module BKF extends EFZ / Module BKF extends FA and HFP

Beauticians holding an EFZ, FA or HFP qualification, dermapigmentologists with advanced vocational training, podiatrists holding an EFZ or HF qualification, and TCM acupuncturists can obtain the certificate of competence through a shortened training programme (Path 2, Figure 1). This module is expanded upon the content of the standard module to include selected sections of the Fundamentals module and a general overview of the Fundamentals module. These individuals do not need to attend the Fundamentals module and can proceed directly to the Technologies module. Upon completion of the Technologies module, they must attend the Extended BKF module.

The BKF Extended module includes the Fundamentals module in abbreviated form, in addition to the content of the standard BKF module. Individuals with an EFZ qualification attend a slightly extended BKF Extended module. The examination is identical in terms of content and duration for all graduates of the same specialisation. The minimum duration of the training courses and examinations is fixed.

Both the organising body and the FOPH recommend that individuals who, based on their prior education, are eligible for the extended EFZ or FA/HFP modules, consult the content of the ‘Basics’ module before commencing the training and, if knowledge gaps are identified, choose Path 1 (Fig. 1) – involving full attendance of the ‘Basics’ module. With regard to the core curriculum, the advanced BKF module serves merely to refresh previously learnt material and to cover specific fundamentals relating to the new regulations (V-NISSG).

To register: https://www.sachkundeausweis.ch/trainings