Recognition of foreign professional qualifications in healthcare
What does recognition mean?
In a recognition procedure, an authority checks whether a professional qualification earned abroad is equivalent to a German one. It is mainly needed for regulated professions, which can only be practised with a state permit. Most health professions fall into this group, for example physicians and nurses.
The procedure in Germany
The procedure below applies to Germany. Responsibility usually lies with state authorities, so the right office depends on the German state. The portal “Recognition in Germany” offers a Recognition Finder that shows the competent offices and the required documents for each profession.
The authority carries out an equivalence assessment. If the qualifications are equivalent and the other requirements are met, for example the necessary language skills, the permit to practise is issued. If there are substantial differences, the authority requires a compensation measure. In nursing, section 40 of the Pflegeberufegesetz generally provides, for qualifications from third countries (outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland), a choice between a knowledge test and an adaptation course that ends with an examination. Special rules apply in certain cases, for example when documents are missing or the applicant waives the equivalence assessment. For physicians, section 3 BÄO provides for a knowledge test where there are substantial differences. The competent authority decides which measure applies in the individual case.
Fees, documents and processing time differ by profession and state. Check with the competent authority which rules apply when you apply.
- Find the competent office with the Recognition Finder
- Submit the application with certificates, proofs and translations
- Wait for the decision: equivalent or substantial differences
- If there are differences: knowledge test or (in nursing) adaptation course
Why it matters for working in healthcare
In Germany, a regulated health profession can as a rule only be practised with recognition and a state permit; exceptions are set out in the law for each profession. Employers therefore ask about the status of the procedure before they offer a contract. Applicants should give the application date, the competent authority and any decisions in the CV or cover letter. Other countries have different rules; this entry describes Germany only.
Practical example
A nurse with a qualification from a non-EU country receives a conditional job offer from a hospital. She applies to the competent authority for recognition as a Pflegefachfrau. The decision states that there are substantial differences. She chooses the knowledge test and prepares for it. After passing, and if the other requirements are met, she receives the permit to use the professional title. (The example is fictional.)
Official sources
Frequently Asked Questions
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