What is degree validation and why is it required?

Degree validation (revalidação) is the process by which a foreign undergraduate diploma is recognized as equivalent to a Brazilian degree. It is mandatory for regulated professional practice in Brazil (medicine, law, engineering, etc.) and for civil service exams requiring a university degree. It is based on Article 48, Section 2 of the LDB (Law No. 9,394/1996).

How does the Carolina Bori Platform work?

The Carolina Bori Platform is the MEC electronic system that centralizes foreign degree validation and recognition requests in Brazil. Applicants register, upload digitized documents, and select the public university where they wish to process the request. The platform enables online tracking and sets maximum review deadlines.

How long does it take and how much does validation cost?

The regulatory deadline is up to 180 days (CNE/CES Resolution No. 3/2016), but in practice it may take 6 to 18 months depending on the university and field. Costs vary: university validation fees range from R$ 500 to R$ 5,000. Add sworn translation costs (R$ 150-400 per document) and apostille fees.

Can a foreign-trained lawyer practice in Brazil?

Not directly. In addition to validating their law degree at a Brazilian public university, the professional must pass the OAB Bar Exam (Exame de Ordem). Law degree validation is among the most complex, frequently requiring supplementary coursework in Brazilian law subjects such as constitutional, civil, criminal, and procedural law.

Can a foreign-trained doctor practice in Brazil?

Yes, after degree validation via Revalida (National Medical Degree Revalidation Exam) or direct processing at a public university. Revalida consists of two stages: a written theoretical exam and a practical clinical skills exam. After approval and validation, the doctor must register with the CRM (Regional Medical Council) of their state of practice.

Foreign Degree Validation in Brazil: Complete Guide 2026

Executive Summary

Foreign degree validation in Brazil is governed by the National Education Guidelines and Framework Law — LDB (Law No. 9,394/1996), Article 48, Section 2, and regulated by CNE/CES Resolution No. 3/2016. The process is conducted by Brazilian public universities, with processing centralized on the MEC’s Carolina Bori Platform. This guide details the complete process, requirements, costs, timelines, and specifics for regulated professions.

Our international law team assists foreigners and returning Brazilians with the degree validation process.

What Is Degree Validation?

Concept

Validation (revalidação) is the procedure by which a Brazilian public university recognizes that an undergraduate diploma issued by a foreign institution is equivalent to the corresponding Brazilian diploma. For graduate degrees (master’s and doctoral), the procedure is called recognition (reconhecimento).

Legal basis

LDB, Article 48, Section 2: “Undergraduate diplomas issued by foreign universities shall be revalidated by public universities offering programs at the same level and in the same or equivalent field.”
CNE/CES Resolution No. 3/2016: regulates validation and recognition procedures
MEC Ordinance No. 22/2016: establishes the Carolina Bori Platform

When it is required

Validation is mandatory for:

Practice of a regulated profession in Brazil (medicine, law, engineering, pharmacy, dentistry, etc.)
Registration with professional councils (OAB, CRM, CREA, CRF, CRO)
Civil service examinations requiring a university degree
Graduate programs at Brazilian institutions (some require a validated diploma)

When it is NOT required

Private sector employment in an unregulated function (the employer may accept the foreign diploma)
Business activities that do not require specific professional certification
Academic programs with bilateral automatic recognition agreements

The Carolina Bori Platform

What it is

The Carolina Bori Platform is the electronic system established by MEC (Ordinance No. 22/2016) to centralize and expedite requests for undergraduate degree validation and graduate degree recognition obtained abroad.

How it works

Registration: the applicant creates an account on the platform using CPF or passport
Document upload: diploma, academic transcript, course syllabi/programs, Hague apostille or consular authentication, sworn translation
University selection: the system lists public universities with equivalent programs
Processing: the university reviews documentation and may request supplementary materials
Decision: approval (validation), conditional approval (with supplementary coursework), or denial
Appeal: in case of denial, appeal lies with the university itself and, ultimately, with the CNE

Regulatory timelines

CNE/CES Resolution No. 3/2016 establishes:

60 days for initial document review
90 days for the evaluation committee’s report (which may include exams, interviews, or oral defense)
30 days for final decision
Maximum total: 180 days (6 months)

In practice, deadlines are frequently exceeded, especially at high-demand universities (USP, UNICAMP, UFMG).

Required Documentation

Mandatory documents

Original diploma issued by the foreign institution
Complete academic transcript with course hours and grades
Course syllabi and programs (in detailed format)
Hague apostille or consular authentication (for documents from non-signatory countries)
Sworn translation of all documents into Portuguese
Identity document (RG, passport, or CRNM)
CPF (Brazilian tax ID)

Supplementary documents (vary by university)

Academic curriculum/CV
Proof of professional experience
Academic publications
Declaration of authenticity from the issuing institution

Apostille and translation

All foreign documents must be apostilled in the country of origin (if Hague Convention signatory) or legalized by the Brazilian consulate. Sworn translations must be performed by a public translator registered with the Brazilian Commercial Registry.

Regulated Professions: Specific Cases

Law — OAB Bar Exam

Law degree validation is among the most complex:

Degree validation at a public university with an MEC-recognized law program
The evaluation committee frequently requires supplementary coursework in Brazilian law subjects (Constitutional Law, Civil Law, Criminal Law, Procedural Law, Tax Law)
After validation, the professional must pass the OAB Bar Exam (two-phase exam, with a pass rate of 20-30%)
Registration with the OAB of the state of practice

Foreign lawyers cannot practice in Brazil without validation and OAB membership, except for consultation on foreign law under special registration (CFOAB Provision No. 91/2000).

Medicine — CRM and Revalida

The pathway for foreign-trained doctors:

Revalida: National Medical Degree Revalidation Exam (Law No. 13,959/2019)

Stage 1: theoretical exam (multiple choice and essay questions)
Stage 2: practical clinical skills exam (OSCE)

Alternative: direct processing at a federal public university with a medical program, without Revalida
After approval, CRM registration in the state of practice
Historical Revalida pass rate: 20-35%

Engineering — CREA

Degree validation at a public university with an engineering program
Registration with CREA (Regional Engineering and Agronomy Council)
May require supplementary coursework in Brazilian technical standards (ABNT, NRs)

Dentistry — CRO

Degree validation at a public university with a dentistry program
Registration with CRO (Regional Dentistry Council)
Process similar to medicine, with potential practical examination

Nursing, Pharmacy, and others

Follow the same pattern: validation at a public university + registration with the respective professional council (COREN, CRF, etc.).

Bilateral and Multilateral Agreements

Mercosul Educational Agreement

The Agreement on Admission of University Degrees for Academic Activities in Mercosul Member States (Decree No. 5,518/2005) helps with recognition for academic purposes — but does not waive validation for professional practice.

Portugal — Mutual Recognition Agreement

The Brazil-Portugal Friendship Treaty includes provisions on degree recognition. In practice, Portuguese diplomas still undergo validation but with facilitated processing.

Specific agreements

Some Brazilian universities maintain bilateral agreements with foreign institutions that simplify recognition. Check with the target university.

Simplified Validation (Special Processing)

CNE/CES Resolution No. 3/2016, Article 3, provides for simplified processing for diplomas issued by institutions on recognized university lists published by MEC. In such cases, review may be faster, focusing on curricular compatibility without requiring exams or interviews.

Mais Médicos Program

Doctors participating in the former Mais Médicos Program had a facilitated validation pathway (Law No. 12,871/2013). Currently, Revalida is the primary route, though legislative discussions continue about new validation forms.

Estimated Costs

Item	Approximate value
University validation fee	R$ 500 — R$ 5,000
Sworn translation	R$ 150 — R$ 400 per document
Apostille	R$ 130 — R$ 180 per document
Revalida fee (medicine)	R$ 330 (stage 1) + R$ 330 (stage 2)
OAB registration (after validation)	R$ 1,000 — R$ 3,000 (varies by state)
CRM registration	R$ 800 — R$ 2,500 (varies by state)
Supplementary coursework	R$ 500 — R$ 5,000 (individual courses)

Appeals Against Denial

If the university denies validation, the applicant may:

Appeal to the university: 30-day deadline with detailed reasoning
Appeal to CNE: if denial is upheld, appeal to the National Education Council
Judicial action: writ of mandamus (mandado de segurança) against the university’s act, based on the clear right to education (Article 205, Constitution) and professional practice (Article 5, XIII, Constitution)

Our litigation team represents professionals whose validation requests have been improperly denied.

Applicable Legislation

LDB (Law No. 9,394/1996), Article 48, Section 2: foreign degree validation
CNE/CES Resolution No. 3/2016: regulates validation and recognition
MEC Ordinance No. 22/2016: Carolina Bori Platform
Law No. 13,959/2019: Revalida (medicine)
Law No. 8,906/1994: OAB Statute
Law No. 3,268/1957: Medical Councils

Next Steps

If you need to validate a foreign degree in Brazil — whether undergraduate or graduate — contact our international law team. We offer assistance with document preparation, processing support, and administrative and judicial appeals in case of denial.

For questions about dual citizenship, document apostille, or work visas, explore our specialized guides.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Each case has specific circumstances that should be analyzed by a qualified attorney.