Applying for recognition as a nurse with a professional qualification from third countries

Application

You submit an application to the competent authority for permission to use the professional title "nursing specialist" or "nursing specialist".

You can apply if you do not yet live in Germany. You can submit the application with the documents to the competent authority or send it by post. Do not ship originals. Sometimes you can also send the application electronically. The competent authority will inform you.
 

Equivalence test

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 nursing specialist. The professional qualification is equivalent if there are no significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification.

Possible results of the exam

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

Are there any significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? You may be able to make up for the differences through your work experience, other knowledge, skills or competences (lifelong learning). Knowledge, skills and competences must be certified by an authority of the state in which you acquired the knowledge, skills or competences.

However, it may not be possible to compensate for the significant differences in your professional experience, knowledge, skills or competences. In this case, the competent authority will tell you the main differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification and why you cannot compensate for these significant differences.

The competent authority will also tell you about compensatory measures that you can take to compensate for the significant differences.
If you decide not to take compensatory measures, your professional qualification will not be recognised and you will not be allowed to work as a nurse in Germany.

Compensatory measures

There are various 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 choose between an adaptation period or a knowledge test.
If you successfully complete the compensatory measure and meet all other requirements, you will be granted permission to use the professional title "nursing specialist".

There are many counselling services available. These can be found on the Recognition in Germany portal.
In Rhineland-Palatinate, there is the advice centre for international health professions of the ism (part of the IQ network) in Mainz. The advisors will help you compile the necessary documents free of charge and throughout the entire recognition process.

You can also call the hotline of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. The hotline +49 30 1815-1111 will answer any questions you may have about working and living in Germany. Office hours are Monday to Friday 08:00 – 18:00 (CET). If you are abroad: You can also use the hotline to reach the Central Service Centre for Professional Recognition (ZSBA). This offers you in-depth advice and support in the recognition process and carries out a location consultation.
 

Information on the recognition of a professional qualification in the non-academic health professions and the application forms for determining the equivalence of the professional qualification can be found on the website of the State Office for Social Affairs, Youth and Care.

• Portal Recognition in Germany
• Counselling centre in Rhineland-Palatinate
• Website of the State Office for Social Affairs, Youth and Pensions

Responsibility lies with the State Office for Social Affairs, Youth and Pensions (LSJV), Landau office.

• You have a comparable professional qualification as a nurse from a third country.
• You want to work as a nurse in Germany.
• Personal suitability: You are reliable to work as a nurse and have no criminal record.
• Health suitability: You can work mentally and physically as a nurse.
• You have German language skills at the required level. This is usually language 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 (ID card or passport)
• Marriage certificate (if your name has changed as a result of marriage)
• Curriculum vitae
• Proof of your professional qualification (e.g. certificates, professional certificate)
• Proof of education
• Proof of your relevant professional experience in a profession comparable to that of a nurse
• Proof of other relevant knowledge for working as a nursing specialist
• Do you still live or work in a third country, i.e. not in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland? Then you may need to prove that you have been accepted by a health and care facility to work as a nurse in Germany.
   

You will usually submit these documents later. The competent authority will inform you when you should 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
   

The competent authority will inform you which documents you need to 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 amount of work involved.

In addition, there may be additional costs (e.g. for translations, certifications or compensatory measures such as an adaptation period or a knowledge test). These costs vary from person to person.

There is no deadline.

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

• §§ 1 (1), 40, 43 of the Nursing Professions Act (Nursing Professions Act - PflBG)
• §§ 43 et seq. Training and Examination Ordinance for the Nursing Professions (Nursing Professions Training and Examination Ordinance - PflAPrV)

You can take legal action against the decision of the competent authority within a certain period of time (e.g. lodge an appeal). The decision will then be reviewed. Details on this can be found in the information on legal remedies 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.
• Personal appearance required: No

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

Procedure for ethnic German repatriates
As a late repatriate, you can either go through the recognition procedure in accordance with the laws mentioned here or in accordance with the Federal Expellees Act. This is up to you. The competent authority will advise you on which procedure is right for you.

20.10.2022