# Employment certificate when you leave a job: what can you require?

An employment certificate documents your experience. Learn what the law requires, how to request one, and what to do if it is missing or incorrect.

Canonical: https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/arbeidsattest-nar-du-slutter
Language: en
Publisher: SamfunnPrep
Author: Hlib Suslov
Published: 2026-10-02T11:51:07.295+00:00
Modified: 2026-10-07T08:59:49.826794+00:00
AI use policy: https://samfunnprep.no/ai-policy.txt

## Key takeaways

- Ask for a written certificate After lawful notice, you are entitled to documentation of your work and its duration.
- Check four details It must include your name, date of birth, duties, and employment period.
- If it is missing Request it in writing; Arbeidstilsynet can order the employer to meet the minimum requirements.

When you leave a job, you should ask for a **written employment certificate**. Under section 15-15 of the Working Environment Act, an employee who leaves after lawful notice is entitled to a certificate. At a minimum, the document must state who you are, what work you did, and how long the employment lasted.

## What must an employment certificate include?

The Working Environment Act requires four details: **name, date of birth, the nature of the work, and the duration of the employment**. A certificate should be dated and issued by the employer so you can show where it came from. A list containing only employment dates is of little use if it does not describe your duties.

| Information | Example to check |
|---|---|
| Name and date of birth | “Amina Hassan, born 14.03.1992” |
| Nature of the work | “Worked with customer service, restocking goods, and the cash register” |
| Duration | “Employed from 1 August 2023 to 30 September 2026” |
| Issuer | The employer’s name, date, and contact details make the certificate easier to use. |

This is an **anonymized example**, not an official template. Compare it with your [employment contract](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/arbeidstakers-rettigheter) and payslip if the dates or position seem wrong. You can also include relevant course certificates and references when applying for a new job. The certificate does not replace a diploma or professional authorization in a regulated occupation.

## A certificate, recommendation, and reference are different things

The certificate required by law documents the employment. A **recommendation** usually says what the employer thinks of your work. A **reference** is someone a new employer may contact if you have agreed to it. You can ask for a more detailed certificate, but the legal minimum does not automatically entitle you to praise or specific wording.

The Working Environment Act says that the right to a more detailed certificate may follow from customary practice in the employment relationship, unless a collective agreement says otherwise. If a collective agreement or workplace practice provides more, refer to it when you ask. A neutral certificate with the right dates and duties can be more useful than a vague sentence such as “good employee” with no specific tasks.

## When and how should you ask for it?

It is a good idea to request the certificate **before your last working day**, so you know who will prepare it. If you have already left, send a short written request to your employer or HR department. State your position, the period you worked, and an address where they can reply. Keep a copy of the request. You do not need to send a passport copy or full national identity number in an ordinary email just to request a certificate.

A simple message could look like this:

> Hello. I left my position as [position] with you on [date]. I am requesting a written employment certificate under section 15-15 of the Working Environment Act. The certificate should state my name, date of birth, duties, and employment period. Please let me know if you need to confirm the dates. Kind regards, [name].

If you want a more detailed description, add two or three specific duties you actually performed. Ask the employer to confirm the wording. You can request a certificate even if you resigned yourself. If you were **dismissed summarily**, you are still entitled to a certificate, but the employer may state that you were dismissed without giving the reason. Distinguishing resignation with notice from summary dismissal helps you use the right rule; see [dismissal in Norway](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/oppsagt-av-arbeidsgiver-rettigheter-norge).

If you held several positions with the same employer, ask for the duties and periods to be clear. A bare job title can hide experience you need to document. If you worked for several employers, request a separate certificate from each one. A contract from one company cannot document work you did for another.

## If the certificate is missing or contains an error

Start by asking for a correction in writing. Point to the specific item and attach evidence: your employment contract, timesheets, payslips, or notice of termination. For example: “The certificate says I left in May, but my last working day was 30 June. See the attached final settlement.” Ask for a new version, and keep both the old and new certificates.

If the employer does not provide any certificate, you can contact the **Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet)**. The agency says it can order an employer to issue a certificate meeting the legal minimum requirements. However, Arbeidstilsynet cannot decide a dispute about whether the employment existed or exactly what should be included in a disputed certificate. In that case, a trade union or legal advice may be the right next step. [Free legal aid](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/fri-rettshjelp-norge) has its own eligibility rules; check them before counting on coverage.

When you contact Arbeidstilsynet, briefly explain what you requested, when you left, and how the employer responded. Provide a copy of your request and other documents that show you were employed. Distinguish between a missing **minimum certificate**, which Arbeidstilsynet can order, and disagreement about praise, evaluations, or particular wording. This makes it easier to get the right help.

**Example:** Amir worked part-time in a warehouse. His certificate gives the correct period but only says “employed.” He asks for the duties to be specified: receiving goods, picking, and packing. The employer adds them. Amir uses the certificate together with his [CV and job application](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/norsk-cv-og-soknad-intervju). He does not need a rating or a guarantee of his next job for the document to be useful.

## Save the certificate where you can find it again

Save a readable PDF and give it a clear filename, for example `employment_certificate_company_2023-2026.pdf`. Check that the entire document is included, and store it with your employment contract and latest payslip. You may need it when applying for jobs, further education, or when documenting work experience. Ask for another copy if the file is lost; treat your date of birth as personal information when sharing it.

SamfunnPrep explains more [workplace rights](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/arbeidstakers-rettigheter) and collects [information about labour migration](https://samfunnprep.no/en/tema/arbeidsinnvandring). You get the certificate from your employer. If your question concerns a specific refusal or dispute, contact the right authority or seek individual advice.

**Sources checked 2 October 2026:** Working Environment Act section 15-15 and Arbeidstilsynet guidance on termination and certificates.

## FAQ

### Am I entitled to a certificate if I resign?

Yes. After lawful notice, an employee is entitled to a written certificate. Ask your employer before or after your last working day.

### What must an employment certificate include?

At a minimum: your name, date of birth, the nature of your work, and how long you were employed. This follows from section 15-15 of the Working Environment Act.

### Can I require a positive recommendation?

Not automatically. The legal minimum is documentation of the employment. A more detailed certificate may follow from customary practice or a collective agreement.

### Am I entitled to a certificate if I was dismissed summarily?

Yes. In that case, the employer may state that you were dismissed without giving the reason in the certificate.

### What should I do if my employer does not provide a certificate?

First ask in writing. Arbeidstilsynet can order the employer to issue a certificate that meets the legal minimum, but it does not resolve disputes about detailed wording or whether the employment took place.

## Sources

- [Arbeidsmiljøloven § 15-15 Attest](https://www.arbeidstilsynet.no/regelverk/lover/arbeidsmiljoloven--aml/)
- [Oppsigelse og attest](https://www.arbeidstilsynet.no/lonn-og-ansettelse/oppsigelse/)
- [Barn og ungdom i arbeid: attest](https://www.arbeidstilsynet.no/arbeidstid-og-organisering/tilrettelegging/ungdom-i-arbeid/)

Citation: Hlib Suslov, "Employment certificate when you leave a job: what can you require?", SamfunnPrep, 2026-10-02T11:51:07.295+00:00, https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/arbeidsattest-nar-du-slutter