Apply for recognition as a geriatric nurse with a professional qualification from a third country

Application

You apply to the competent authority for permission to use the professional title "geriatric nurse". Or you can apply to use the professional title "geriatric nurse".
You can submit the application with the documents to the competent authority, send it by post or upload it electronically. Do not send any originals.

Examination of equivalence

The competent body will then check whether you meet all the requirements. An important requirement is the equivalence of your professional qualification. The competent authority will compare your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification as a geriatric nurse in accordance with the Nursing Professions Act or the Geriatric Care Act. The professional qualification is equivalent if there are no significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification.

You can also dispense with an equivalence test and complete a knowledge test or an adaptation period directly. In this case, the competent authority will not carry out an equivalence test.

Possible results of the equivalence test

If your professional qualification is equivalent, your foreign professional qualification will be recognized. The competent authority can confirm the result in writing. You must still meet the other requirements. You will then receive permission to use the professional title "geriatric nurse".

Are there any significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? You may be able to compensate for the differences through your professional experience, other knowledge, skills or competencies (lifelong learning). Knowledge, skills and competences must be certified by an authority in the country in which you acquired the knowledge, skills or competences.

However, it may be that the significant differences cannot be compensated for by your professional experience, knowledge, skills or competences. In this case, the competent authority will inform you of the significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification and why you cannot compensate for these significant differences.

The competent authority will also inform you of compensatory measures that you can take to offset the significant differences. If you decide not to take compensatory measures, your professional qualification will not be recognized. You will then not be allowed to work as a geriatric nurse in Germany.

Compensatory measures

There are various compensation measures:

• Adaptation course: The adaptation course lasts a maximum of 3 years.

• Knowledge examination: The knowledge examination tests your knowledge in certain subjects and areas. The knowledge test comprises an oral and practical part.

Even if you decide not to take an equivalence test, you can choose between an adaptation period or a knowledge test.

If you successfully complete the compensation measure and meet all other requirements, you will receive permission to use the professional title of "geriatric nurse".

• There are many advisory services. You can find these on the Recognition in Germany portal.
• Ask an IQ advice center for personal advice on this procedure and your qualifications. The advisors will also help you with your documents before you submit your application. The advice is free of charge.
• You can also call the hotline of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. The hotline will answer your questions on the subject of "Working and living in Germany".
  

  Remark: Telephone number: +49 30 1815-1111

• If you are abroad: You can also contact the Central Service Center for Professional Recognition (ZSBA) via the hotline. This offers you in-depth advice and support in the recognition procedure and provides location advice.

• You have a comparable professional qualification as a geriatric nurse from a third country.
• You want to work as a geriatric nurse in Germany.
• Personal suitability: You are reliable to work as a geriatric nurse and have no criminal record.
• Health suitability: You are mentally and physically fit to work as a geriatric nurse.
• You have German language skills at the required level. This is normally language level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

The responsible office will tell you which documents you need to submit. Important documents are generally

• Proof of identity (identity card or passport)
• Marriage certificate (if your name has changed due to marriage)
• curriculum vitae
• Proof of your professional qualifications (e.g. certificates, professional certificate)
• Proof of training
• Proof of your relevant professional experience in a profession comparable to geriatric care
• Proof of other relevant knowledge for working as a geriatric nurse
• Information about an application for recognition that has already been submitted. Then state the body to which you have submitted the application.
• Proof that you wish to work in the profession in Germany
• Do you still live or work in a third country, i.e. not in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland? Then you may have to prove that you have received a letter of acceptance from a health and care institution to work as a care worker in Germany.

You usually submit these documents later. The responsible office will inform you when you should submit the documents:

• Proof of your personal suitability: criminal record extract or certificate of good conduct from your country of origin.
• Proof of your health suitability: Medical certificate.
• Proof of your German language skills: Language certificate
  

The responsible office will tell you which documents you need to submit as a simple copy, a certified copy or the original.

The costs generally depend on the time and effort required for processing.

Additional costs may also be incurred (e.g. for translations, certifications or compensatory measures such as an adaptation period or a knowledge test). These costs vary from person to person.

There is no deadline.

Sometimes documents are still missing from the procedure. The responsible office will then inform you by when you must submit the documents.

• §§ Sections 40, 43, 58 (2), 64a (2) of the Nursing Professions Act (Pflegeberufegesetz - PflBG)
• §§ 43 ff. Training and Examination Ordinance for the Nursing Professions (Nursing Professions Training and Examination Ordinance - PflAPrV)

or

• § Sections 66a (1), 64a (2) of the Nursing Professions Act (Pflegeberufegesetz - PflBG)
• in conjunction with. § Sections 1, 2 (3) and 4b of the Geriatric Nursing Act (AltPflG) in the version valid on December 31, 2019
• in conjunction with § Section 21 of the Training and Examination Ordinance for the Profession of Geriatric Nurse (AltPflAPrV) in the version valid on December 31, 2019

• §§ Sections 40, 43, 58 (2) of the Nursing Professions Act (Pflegeberufegesetz - PflBG)
• §§ 43 ff. Training and Examination Ordinance for the Nursing Professions (Nursing Professions Training and Examination Ordinance - PflAPrV)
• § Section 66a (1) of the Nursing Professions Act (Pflegeberufegesetz - PflBG)

You can take legal action against the decision of the competent authority within a certain period of time (for example, by lodging an objection). The decision will then be reviewed. Details can be found in the information on legal remedies at the end of your decision. You should first speak to the responsible office before taking legal action against the decision.

Notification of equivalence

The equivalence check is also carried out as part of the permit procedure (recognition procedure). You can apply for a separate decision on the result of the check.

Procedure for late repatriates

As a late repatriate, you can go through the recognition procedure either in accordance with the laws mentioned here or in accordance with the Federal Expellee Act. You can decide for yourself. The responsible office will advise you on which procedure is right for you.

06.03.2024