Apply for recognition of a foreign professional qualification in health service professions

Application

They shall submit an application for a determination of equivalence to the competent authority.
Perhaps you can send the application electronically. The competent authority will inform you. You can also submit the application with the documents to the competent authority or send it by post. Do not send originals.
 

Examination of equivalence

The competent authority then checks: Is your professional qualification equivalent to the German professional qualification? In doing so, the competent authority compares the qualifications with the help of certain criteria. Important criteria are the content and duration of the training. The competent authority shall also take into account your professional experience, other qualifications and qualifications in the equivalence test.
 

Possible results of the test

You will receive a notification with the result of the procedure. You will receive recognition if your professional qualification and the German professional qualification are equivalent.

Sometimes there are significant differences between professional qualifications. The differences are listed in your notification. With this decision, you can further qualify yourself in a targeted manner and later submit a new application for equivalence determination.

If your professional qualification is not equivalent, you will not receive recognition.

• There are many counselling services. These can be found on the Recognition in Germany portal.
• Let us advise you personally on this procedure and your qualifications. The advisors will also help you with your documents before submitting your application. The consultation 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: Phone Number: +49 30 1815-1111

• If you are abroad: You can also reach the Central Service Centre for Professional Recognition (ZSBA) via the hotline. This offers you in-depth advice and support in the recognition procedure and carries out a location consultation.

• You have a state-recognized professional qualification from abroad.
• Your degree must match a German training qualification or further training qualification in the field of health service professions.
• They want to work in Germany.

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

• Proof of identity (ID card or passport)
• Marriage certificate (if your name has changed due to marriage)
• Curriculum vitae
• Proof of your professional qualification (e.g. certificates, professional certificate)
• Proof of training
• Proof of your relevant work experience
• Proof of further relevant knowledge for the work
• Have you ever submitted an application for a determination of equivalence? Then indicate to which office you submitted the application.
• Perhaps: You don't live or work in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland yet? Then you have to prove that you want to work in the profession in Germany. Proof includes, for example, applications for a job, invitations to job interviews or a location note from the Central Service Centre for Professional Recognition (ZSBA).

The competent authority will tell you which documents you need to submit as a simple copy, as a certified copy or in the original.

If your documents are not available in German, you must submit German translations of your documents. Translations must be carried out by translators who are publicly appointed or authorised.

You may need to submit additional documents in the course of the recognition process. The competent authority will inform you.

The costs generally depend on the effort required for processing.

In addition, additional costs may arise (e.g. for translations or certifications). These costs vary from person to person.

Sometimes documents are still missing in the procedure. The competent authority will then inform you by when you have to submit the documents.

• Section 50a of the Vocational Training Act (BBiG)
• §§ 2-7 Professional Qualifications Assessment Act (BQFG)
• Section 8 (1) No. 6 of the Professional Qualifications Assessment Act (BQFG)

You can take legal action against the decision of the competent authority within a certain period of time (e.g. file 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 talk to the competent authority before taking legal action against the decision.

Procedure for ethnic German repatriates

As a late repatriate, you can go through the recognition procedure either according to the laws mentioned here or according to the Federal Expellees Act. You can decide for yourself. The competent authority will advise you on which procedure is right for you.
 

Skills analysis

You no longer have all the necessary documents for the application? In this case, recognition is still possible. You can prove your professional qualification with a qualification analysis, for example through a technical interview or a work sample.

19.05.2023