How to read a practitioner's credential score

What the score actually is

The Iasis credential score is not a rating out of 100 for clinical skill. It is a compatibility assessment — a structured check of whether a practitioner's documented credentials match the requirements set by Dutch associations (NVA, ZHONG, RBCZ) and the standards expected by Dutch health insurers.

A score of 87/100 means 87% of the checkable criteria were confirmed from independent sources. It does not mean the practitioner is 87% as good as a perfect score would be — it means there are a small number of items we could not independently verify.

Iasis does not issue licences. We do not replace the NVA, ZHONG, or RBCZ registers, or the Dutch government. We run a structured assessment against published standards and show you the result transparently.

What goes into the score

Every score is built from the same six checks, run in the same order:

• Association membership — cross-checked against the public NVA, ZHONG, or RBCZ register. Either confirmed or not; no inference.
• School accreditation — the issuing institution is matched against our accredited school database (SNRO-listed schools and recognised international equivalents).
• Clinical hours — the hours stated on the diploma or submitted documentation are compared against the minimum required by the association the practitioner claims membership of.
• Diploma date and continuity — qualification date checked against current membership status. A lapsed or suspended membership lowers the score regardless of the diploma.
• Malpractice insurance — ZHONG and NVA both require active professional liability insurance. Practitioners can upload a current certificate; without it, this item is flagged.
• VOG (conduct certificate) — ZHONG requires a recent Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag from Justis. Where submitted, it is verified. Where absent, it is flagged.

How to read the gap report

Every score comes with a gap report — a list of each item checked, colour-coded by status:

• Green — confirmed: We verified this item from an independent source. Association membership checked against the public register. School matched in the accreditation database. These are facts, not claims.
• Amber — declared, not independently verified: The practitioner submitted documentation (clinical hour records, insurance certificate), but we could not verify the source independently. The information is on file; we cannot confirm its accuracy to the same standard as a public register check.
• Red — missing: The item is required by the association or by Iasis's assessment framework, and no documentation was submitted or found. A red item does not mean the practitioner doesn't have it — it means we don't have it on file.

What different score ranges mean

90–100: All major items confirmed from independent sources. This is the highest verification standard Iasis currently offers. The practitioner has submitted complete documentation and every item that can be cross-referenced has been.

75–89: Most major items confirmed. Typically one or two amber items — usually clinical hours or malpractice insurance — where documentation was submitted but not independently verifiable. Still a strong signal.

60–74: Core association membership confirmed, but several secondary items are amber or red. Worth asking the practitioner directly about the specific gaps before booking.

Below 60: Significant gaps. Association membership may be confirmed, but multiple items are missing. We recommend asking the practitioner directly about their credentials before proceeding.

Questions to ask if you see amber or red items

• Is your malpractice insurance current? Can you share the insurer name?
• Do you have a current VOG (if you are ZHONG-registered)?
• Where did you train, and how many clinical hours did you complete?
• Is your NVA/ZHONG membership currently active? When does it renew?

A legitimate practitioner will answer these questions without hesitation. If they cannot or will not provide basic credential information, that is worth factoring into your decision.

What the score does not tell you

The score does not assess clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, or bedside manner. A practitioner with a score of 95 is not necessarily a better clinician than one with a score of 78 — they simply have more complete documentation on file. The score tells you about credentials, not care quality.

Use the score as one input, not the only one. Your GP's referral, word-of-mouth from people with similar conditions, and your own first appointment are all part of finding the right practitioner for you.