The professional recognition procedure enables international healthcare professionals with a qualification obtained abroad to access the German labor market. The recognition procedure examines whether the foreign professional qualification is equivalent to a German reference profession. For many healthcare professions, recognition is mandatory in order to be allowed to work in Germany.

Content and Scope

Within th eprofessional recognition procedure, various aspects are examined. First, personal suitability must be proven through a certificate of good conduct, as well as medical fitness. Additionally, language and communication competence is a central requirement. For this, a general German language level of at least B2 must be demonstrated. Furthermore, the professional language exam (FSP) is mandatory for all those whose school and university education was not completed in German.
The focus of the procedure is the examinaiton of professional competence through an equivalence assessment. The responsible authority ecamines whether the foreign proessional qualification is equivalent to a German reference occupation. This assessment compares the content, scope, and duration of the training. Degrees from EU equivalence assessment takes place. The result is documented in an official recognition certificate, which contains the designation of the foreign professional qualification, the assessment can lead to the following results:

• Full equivalence: The foreign qualification corresponds to the German reference occupation. In this case, no further examination is required.
• Partial equivalence: The equivalent parts of the training are certified; however, minor differences exist that can be compensated through professional practice, courses, or an adaptation course. Alternatively, a knowledge exam can be taken to demonstrate equivalence.
• No equivalence: Substantial differences are identified between the foreign and German training. Equivalence can only be demonstrated by taking the knowledge exam (KP).

Opportunities and advantages

Professional recognition opens various perspectives for international healthcare professionals.

• Entry and residence: Recognition is often a prerequisite for visas for employment and certain residence titles.
• Better labor market opportunities: Recognition makes the foreign qualification transparent to employers and enables qualification-appropriate employment as well as better pay.
• Working during the procedure: After passing the Professional Language Exam but before the Knowledge Exam or complete equivalence determination, a temporary professional license can be issued. This allows professional practice in the issuing federal state for a maximum of two years and enables gaining practical experience in preparation for the knowledge exam.
• Professional authorization in regulated professions: For healthcare professions, recognition is mandatory to be able to practice the profession.

Requirements

To be able to apply for a recognition procedure, the following requirements must be met:

• Fully completed and state-recognized vocational training.
• Intention to work in Germany for people from third countries.
• German language skills at a certain language level for many regulated professions.
• Connection to the chosen federal state, which is proven by proof of credibility. Further information on proof of credibility is available here.

Application submission

Responsibility for professional recognition lies with various offices, depending on the profession and the federal state in which professional activity is to be commenced.
For healthcare professions, the respective licensing authorities in Germany are responsible. Processing duration can differ between federal states.

Professional recognition procedure for healthcare professions

For regulated healthcare professions, the recognition procedure follows these steps:

1. Choice of federal state: The federal state is selected according to various criteria – such as difficulty level of recognition examinations, labor market situation, or opportunities for a restricted professional license during the procedure. The comparison table provides an overview of the differences in the recognition procedure of individual federal states and is intended to serve as decision support.

2. Proof of credibility to federal state: The connection to the chosen federal state must be proven.

3. Application submission: The completed application is sent together with all required documents by mail to the competent recognition authority in the chosen federal state.

4. Confirmation of receipt: Confirmation of receipt is sent by email or mail and can take several weeks. It confirms receipt of application documents at the licensing authority.

5. Responsibility review: The recognition authority examines whether it is responsible for the application.

6. Receipt of recognition decision: The recognition decision provides information on the completeness of submitted documents, recognition of the degree, and whether adaptation measures such as the professional language or knowledge exam are required.

7. Required examinations: If examinations are required, these must be successfully passed. The German language exam at B2 level and the professional language exam are mandatory for all whose school and university education was not completed in German. For professionals from third countries, the knowledge exam is additionally required.

Application form

Depending on the chosen federal state, a different recognition authority is responsible, each providing its own application forms. Detailed information on correctly filling out the application form can be found here.

Required documents

The following documents must be submitted for the application. To avoid delays, all required documents should be checked for completeness.

• Completed application form
• Valid passport
• Birth certificate
• Curriculum vitae
• Motivation letter
• University graduation certificate
• Transcript of records
• Proof of practical year
• Full professional license or temporary professional license from the country of study or origin
• If available: Employment certificates and references
• If available: Proof of further training and continuing education
• If available: Declaration of previous application submission in Germany
• If available: Proof of intention to work in Germany

Additionally required for healthcare professionals:

• Certificate of good conduct from the country of study/work
• Declaration of no criminal record
• Medical certificate of health fitness for professional practice
• Proof of German language skills at the required language level
• Evidence for substantiation
• Where applicable letter of authorization

Further details on creating a curriculum vitae, motivation letter, and letter of authorization are available here.

Certification and translation of documents

All submitted documents must be in certified and translated form. This means: First certification in the country of origin, then translation into German and if necessary renewed certification of the translated version. Translation into German must be prepared by a sworn or publicly appointed translator – either in Germany or abroad by a translator recognized by the German embassy. Lists of recognized translators are available on the website of the German embassy.

Important notes, practical tips, and time frame for application

All required documents should be submitted completely and correctly. All documents that require a signature should be signed. Subsequently requested documents should be submitted as quickly as possible to avoid delays. If the recognition authority requests documents "in original," ideally officially certified copies should be submitted and no original documents should be sent by mail. Some recognition authorities (such as in Saxony) nevertheless require the original version of certain documents.
During the processing period, practical experience can be gained in institutions of the German healthcare system. Additionally, participation in preparatory courses for the professional language exam and knowledge examination is recommended. The recognition certificate is valid indefinitely and can be used for any number of applications. It does not need to be renewed.
The application should be submitted several months before planned job applications or visa applications, as processing can take three to four months. The application can already be submitted from abroad and should be submitted in the federal state where employment is planned.

Processing time and fees

The processing of a recognition application typically takes three to four months after all documents have been submitted completely. In many federal states, processing times can also be longer. The exact duration depends on the individual case, particularly on whether all documents are completely available and whether additional examinations are necessary. The costs for professional recognition differ depending on profession and federal state. The exact amount of the fee should be inquired from the competent authority before application submission.