Can anyone become a reindeer herder?

According to the Reindeer Husbandry Act (848/1990) reindeer may only be owned by reindeer herding co-operatives and citizens of the countries belonging to the European Economic Area who also have permanent residence in the reindeer herding area. The Reindeer Herders’ Association may also own reindeer for testing and research purposes.

If a person residing outside the reindeer herding area gains ownership of reindeer, the provisions in section 9(2) and (3) apply. A person residing outside the reindeer herding area who owns reindeer has a right to own reindeer and have them looked after for the period laid down in section 9(2) and (3).

Notwithstanding what is provided in this section above, citizens of countries belonging to the European Economic Area who do not reside in the reindeer herding area may own draught reindeer. (614/1993)

In practice, the reindeer herding cooperative has a right of pre-emption to reindeer sold in their area, if the sale is not made within the family. The cooperative decides whether they will take a new reindeer owner to their cooperative.

In other words, the answer is, in principle any person that fills the above legal criteria can become a reindeer herder, if the cooperative accepts them.