- If you were born before 1st January 1971: you must show a diploma or qualification equivalent to a minimum level V (BEPA Brevet d’Etudes Professionnelles Agricoles, or BPA Brevet Professionnel Agricole). Regulations give a list of equivalent diplomas and qualifications (see Taking agricultural training courses in France). You must take a 40 hour installation preparation course.

- If you were born after 1st January 1971, you must show a diploma or qualification equivalent to a minimum level IV. Level IV corresponds to a level at least equivalent to the Brevet de technicien agricole (BPREA Brevet Professionnel Responsable d’Exploitation Agricole, or Professional Baccalaureate, or Brevet de Technicien Supérieur BTS). Regulations give a list of equivalent diplomas and qualifications. The main diplomas concerned here are:

This diploma must be supplemented by a course known as the 6-month course to obtain professional agricultural skills qualifications.

To obtain Young Farmer installation grants

Professional agricultural skills qualifications are required in order to benefit from grants paid by the State to young farmers aged over 21 and under 40 setting up in France.

For candidates born after 1st January 1971, acquisition of professional agricultural skills qualifications is linked to the following of a six-month course.

For all candidates for Young Farmer grants, an Installation Preparation Course or 40 hour course must also be taken.

You may make a request in France for your qualifications to be accepted as equivalent.

More information on the 6-month course.

More information on the special course for European candidates.

Professional skills qualification may be required in order to obtain other national financial aid within the context of development of your farm (e.g. Investment Plans).

To obtain the authorisation to farm

To benefit from certain provisions (specifically the Investment Plan), some qualifications, which may be replaced or supplemented by professional practice equivalences, are required.

These qualifications are classified into "categories". These categories correspond to the length of time previously spent in professional work.

The requirement for Professional Skills qualifications refers to the level acquired in agricultural training (initial or in-service), no matter what production is planned by the installation candidate.

No equivalence is planned with other training sectors, although a dispensation does exist with regard to general subjects (maths, French, bookkeeping).

In the region or county that interests you: go to the ADASEA or directly to the DDAF.

The ADASEA will collect together with you all the necessary documents and will send off your file to the DGER at the Ministry of Agriculture.

The following documents are required:

For all requests for diploma equivalence, you must indicate for which programme the professional skills qualification is requested: Young Farmer grants? Investment Plan? Authorisation to farm?

Once the request has been submitted to the Ministry, there will be a minimum period of one to two months before an answer will be given.

You can take a training course in France or by correspondence and follow the obligatory practical training courses in order to obtain Professional Agricultural Skills qualifications:

More information on training courses in France.

More information about the obligatory training courses to be taken.

Recognition of your professional experience

In order to benefit from certain provisions (specifically the Investment Plan), some diplomas, which may be replaced or supplemented by professional practice equivalences, are required.

These diplomas are classified by “category”. These categories correspond to lengths of previous professional experience.
To benefit from the mechanism of professional experience equivalences, candidates must have been:

- Either a family assistant,
- Or an agricultural worker (employee),
- Or a farm manager (main activity).

The lowest age for calculating time spent in professional experience is age 17.

Candidates with ten years professional experience are not subject to any training course or diploma conditions.

Depending on the case, you must prove your professional agricultural experience in order to have the exceptional right to obtain professional skill qualifications.