Cap. 533 Art. 3Warrantrequired practise profession.

(1) No person shall hold himself out to be a professional to youth worker or exercise the profession of a youth worker against remuneration or otherwise or hold himself to be professionally qualified to do so or assume the title or designation of a registered professional youth worker unless he is the holder of a warrant issued under this Act.

(2) The warrant under sub-article (1) shall not entitle the holder thereof to exercise the profession of youth work in such areas of specialised youth work as may be prescribed by the Minister as requiring additional qualifications and, or, training, unless the warrant so specifies.

(3) Without prejudice to any provision made by or under the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications Act, a person shall not qualify for a warrant unless such person:

(a) is a citizen of Malta, or of a Member State or is otherwise legally entitled or authorised to work in Malta;

(b) is of good conduct;

(c) is registered in the Register of Youth Workers referred to in article 5(1)(d);

(d) is not registered in the Register established under the Protection of Minors (Registration) Act;

(e) is in possession of the Honours Degree in Youth and Community Studies conferred by the University of Malta or a Masters in Youth and Community Studies conferred by the University of Malta as from academic year 2011/2012 or a Masters in Youth Ministry conferred by the University of Malta, or of another professional qualification recognised as equivalent for the purpose by a Member State, obtained from a university or college: Provided that in respect of applicants coming from third countries whose qualifications have not been recognised in a Member State, the Board may, in respect of such qualifications, require the applicant to sit for and pass a professional proficiency test;

(f) satisfies the Board that he has received adequate experience in the practice of the profession of youth worker for an aggregate period of at least two years full-time or its equivalent on a part-time basis following the completion of such degree or such other professional qualification.

(4) The Minister may prescribe, together with the minimum requirements established under the foregoing provisions of this article, other minimum requirements in terms of any international or multinational treaty or agreement entered into by Malta or with the provisions of any legislation the binding force of which derives from any such treaty or agreement.

(5) Without prejudice to any provision made by or under the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications Act, where the duration of a course leading to the professional qualification possessed by an applicant is less than the duration of the course leading to the Degree conferred by the University of Malta or when the experience referred to in sub-article (3)(f) is less than two years, the Board may require the applicant to undertake such adaptation period not exceeding twice the shortfall, as the Board may specify. In addition the Board may also submit the applicant to a proficiency test.