Apply for a geriatric nurse for permission to use the professional title for foreign degrees

The procedure may vary from one federal state to another. In most federal states, the procedure is as follows:

Equivalence assessment

They submit an application for authorisation to the competent authority. The application is called differently in each federal state.
The competent authority will then check whether you meet all the requirements. An important prerequisite is the professional qualification. The competent authority compares your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification as a geriatric care assistant. The competent authority will check whether your professional qualification is equivalent. The professional qualification is equivalent if there are no significant differences between your foreign professional qualification and the German professional qualification.

Possible results of the test

If your professional qualification is equivalent, your foreign professional qualification will be recognised. The authority can confirm the result to you in writing. You still have to meet the other requirements and prove your language skills. Then you will receive permission to use the professional title.
If the competent authority identifies significant differences, you may be able to compensate for the differences through your professional experience. You must prove your professional experience.
However, it may be that your professional experience is not sufficient. You will then not be able to compensate for the essential differences. The competent authority will tell you in writing the essential differences and why you cannot compensate for them with your professional practice. However, the competent authority will offer you a compensatory measure. If you successfully complete this action, you can compensate for the significant differences. Your professional qualification will then be recognised.

Compensatory measures

As a compensatory measure, you can choose between an adaptation period and an aptitude test (for professional qualifications from EU/EEA/Switzerland) or a knowledge test (for professional qualifications from third countries). The adaptation period is a practical post-qualification and can last the entire German training period for the profession (12 months). The aptitude test shall examine only those differences identified by the competent body. The knowledge test tests your knowledge in specific subjects and areas. If you complete the adaptation period or pass the aptitude test or knowledge test (and meet all other requirements), you will receive permission to use the professional title.

Remedy

The competent authority shall record its decision in writing by means of a decision. You can take legal action against the decision of the competent authority. The decision will then be reviewed. Details can be found in the information on the right of appeal at the end of the decision. We recommend that you first talk to the competent authority before taking legal action against the decision.

The competent authority will tell you which documents you need to submit.
Important documents are in general:

• Proof of identity (for example, your passport or identity card)
• If you change your name: marriage certificate
• CV in tabular form and in German (list of your training courses and your professional experience)
• Proof of your professional qualification (certificate, detailed overview of subjects and hours on theory and practice, Diploma Supplement)
• A certificate that you are allowed to work in geriatric care in your country of training
• Proof of your professional experience in geriatric care (e.g. certificates from employers)
• Proof of your other qualifications
  (e.g. continuing vocational training, courses, seminars)
• Registration certificate or proof that you want to work in the federal state where you are applying
• For professional qualifications from EU/EEA/Switzerland: A certificate from the competent authority in your country of training on the equivalence of your professional qualification according to Directive 2005/36/EC ("certificate of conformity")
• A written statement as to whether and to which body you have already submitted an application for a determination of equivalence. If available, also the notice received
• Proof of your German language skills
• Proof of your personal suitability:
  • Official certificate of good conduct issued by a German authority. Another name for the official certificate of good conduct is "Certificate of good conduct document type O".
    In Germany, you can obtain the certificate of good conduct from your registration office or Bürgeramt. As a rule, the official certificate of good conduct should be no more than 3 months old upon submission.
    It is also possible to obtain a certificate from an authority in your home country: for example, a criminal record extract, a Certificate of Good Standing
  • May be sufficient: A signed declaration that no criminal proceedings are pending against you and that you will not be investigated
• Proof of medical fitness: A medical certificate or medical certificate. The proof must be no more than 3 months old when you submit the application.

The competent authority will inform you which documents you must submit in the original or as copies.

You must submit your documents in German. This often means that your documents need to be translated. The translations must be made by translators who are publicly appointed or authorised.

The competent authority will confirm that your documents have been received after a maximum of one month. The competent authority will inform you if documents are missing.
If the documents are complete, the procedure takes 3 months.
In individual cases, the procedure may be extended. For professional qualifications from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, the procedure takes a maximum of 4 months.

The legal basis is different in each federal state.
The corresponding specialist laws apply (e.g. vocational school regulations, training and examination regulations for geriatric care assistance, geriatric care assistance law).
Frequently, the regulations of the Professional Qualification Assessment Acts (BQFG) or "Recognition Acts" of the federal states also apply.
All recognition laws can be found here:

• Freedom to provide services
  As a citizen of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland with professional qualifications from these countries, you do not need a state permit if you only want to work temporarily and occasionally as a service provider in Germany. However, special conditions apply: You must report your work to the competent authority before the first activity. The competent body will inform you in detail about the procedure.
   
• Equivalence Notice
  In the licensing procedure, the competent authority compares your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification (equivalence test / equivalence determination). You may be able to apply for a separate notification (equivalence notice) for the result of the examination.
   
• Electronic application
  You can also submit your application electronically. You may be able to submit the application directly to the competent authority. In any case, you can submit the request to the Point of Single Contact. The Point of Single Contact will help you and forward the application to the competent body. However, it is often only possible to send documents if they have been issued or recognised in the EU, EEA or Switzerland.
   
• Procedure for ethnic German repatriates
  As a Spätaussiedler, you can either go through the procedure according to the respective law of the federal state or according to the Federal Expellees Act. You can decide for yourself. Your competent body will advise you on this.