Permission to use the professional title of surgical assistant for professional qualifications from third countries Granting

Application

You submit an application for permission to use the professional title "Surgical Technical Assistant" or "Surgical Technical Assistant" to the competent authority.

You can submit the application with the documents to the competent authority or send it by post. Do not send originals.

Sometimes you can also send the application electronically. The competent authority will inform you.
 

Equivalence assessment

The competent authority will then check whether you meet all the requirements. An important prerequisite is the equivalence of your professional qualification. The competent authority compares your professional qualification with the German professional qualification as a surgical assistant. The professional qualification is equivalent if there are no significant differences between your foreign professional qualification and the German professional qualification.
 

Possible results of the test

If your professional qualification is equivalent, your foreign professional qualification will be recognised. The competent authority can confirm the result to you in writing. You still have to meet the other requirements. Then you will receive permission to use the professional title "Surgical Technical Assistant" or "Surgical Technical Assistant".

Are there any significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? Perhaps you can compensate for the differences through your professional practice, other knowledge or skills (lifelong learning). You must prove your professional experience. Knowledge and skills must be certified by an authority of the state in which you acquired the knowledge or skills.

However, it may be that the essential differences cannot be compensated by this knowledge. Then your foreign professional qualification will not be recognised. You will then not be allowed to work as a surgical assistant in Germany.

However, the competent authority will tell you the essential differences and why you cannot compensate for the essential differences through your professional practice.

In most cases, you can make a compensatory measure. This allows you to compensate for the essential differences.
 

Compensatory measures

There are several compensatory measures:

• Adaptation period: The adaptation period lasts a maximum of three years.

• Knowledge test: The knowledge test tests your knowledge in specific subjects and areas. The knowledge test consists of an oral and practical part.

You can often choose between an adaptation period or a knowledge test.

If you successfully complete the compensatory measure and meet all other requirements, you will receive permission to use the professional title "Surgical Technical Assistant" or "Surgical Technical Assistant".

• There are many advisory services. These can be found on the portal Recognition in Germany.
• Get personal advice from an IQ counselling centre on this procedure and your qualifications. The advisors will also help you with your documents before applying. The consultation is free of charge.
• You can also call the hotline of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. The hotline answers your questions about "Working and living in Germany".
  

  Remark: Phone number: +49 30 1815-1111 Hours: Monday to Friday 08:00 – 18:00 (CET)

• 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 location consulting.

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

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

• Proof of identity (identity 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)
• Evidence of formal qualifications
• Proof of your relevant professional experience as a surgical assistant
• Proof of further relevant knowledge for working as a surgical assistant
• Do you not yet live or work in the EU, EEA or Switzerland? Then you have to prove that you want to work in the profession in Germany. Evidence can be: applications for a job, proof of your application for an entry visa for gainful employment or a business concept.
   

You usually hand in these documents later. The competent authority will inform you when to hand in the documents:

• Proof of your personal suitability: extract from the criminal record 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 at language level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

The competent authority will inform you which documents you must submit as a simple copy, as a certified copy or in the original.

The competent authority will inform you about the costs. The costs generally depend on the effort for processing.

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

There is no deadline.

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

• § 2, §, 38, § 42 Anästhesietechnische und Operationtechnike-Assistenten-Gesetz
• §§ 51 et seq. Anesthesia Technical and Surgical Assistants Training and Examination Ordinance

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 the right of appeal at the end of your decision. We recommend that you first talk to the competent authority before taking legal action against the decision.

• Forms: Forms can be obtained from the competent authority.
• Online procedure possible: Ask the competent authority whether you can submit the application online.
• Personal appearance required: no

Equivalence Notice

In the licensing procedure, equivalence is also checked (recognition procedure). You can apply for a separate notification for the result of the examination.

Procedure for ethnic German repatriates

As a Spätaussiedler, 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 body will advise you on which procedure suits you.

28.06.2022