Apply for admission to the state examination for psychological psychotherapists

You must register for the state examination as a psychological psychotherapist. To do so, use the form prescribed by the state authority responsible for you. Submit your application with the required documents to the state examination office responsible for you.

You can take the state examination if you have passed a final examination in psychology at a university or equivalent institution of higher education in Germany, which includes the subject of clinical psychology. Alternatively, you need an equivalent degree abroad and full or part-time training at one of the state-approved training institutes.

• birth certificate
• Marriage certificate, if applicable, and all other documents showing a subsequent change of name
• Proof of passing the final examination in the psychology degree program (which includes the subject of clinical psychology) or a certificate of equivalent training
• Certificate of regular and successful participation in the training courses in accordance with Section 1 (4) PsychTh-APrV (Training and Examination Ordinance for Psychological Psychotherapists) (sample according to Annex 2 of the APrV) in the original
• at least two case presentations in accordance with § 4 Para. 6 PsychTh-APrV, which have been accepted by the training institution as an examination case (four copies each; one original with three copies)
• Certificate of equivalence in accordance with Section 5 (3) of the Psychotherapists Act for other completed training (if applicable)

Following the reform of psychotherapeutic training, training as a psychological psychotherapist can only be completed by September 1, 2032, provided that a course of study entitling the holder to participate in postgraduate training was started or completed before September 1, 2020. After September 1, 2032, only a license according to the Psychotherapists Act of November 15, 2019 can be obtained.

The legal basis does not provide for an explicit application deadline. The competent authorities usually set an application deadline of June 10 for examinations in the fall and January 10 for examinations in the spring. For further information, please contact the relevant state authority.

However, the candidate should be notified in writing of the admission and the invitation to the examination dates at least two weeks before the start of the examination.

• §§ 7 - 18 Ausbildungs- und Prüfungsverordnung für Psychologische Psychotherapeuten (PsychTh-APrV)
• §§ 2 und 5 Psychotherapeutengesetz
• § 27 Psychotherapeutengesetz

Appeal (appeal may be excluded depending on national law), administrative court action

There is no standardized nationwide online service for admission to the state examination. Online services may have been set up by the relevant state authorities.

Further information can be found on the websites of the relevant state authorities.

09.10.2024

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.