Source: BUS Sachsen-Anhalt (Linie6PLus)

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

Description

The profession of nurse is regulated in Germany. This means that in order for you to be able to work as a nurse in Germany, you need a state permit. With the permission, you may use the job title "nursing specialist" or "nursing specialist" and work in the profession.

Even with a professional qualification from a so-called third country, you can obtain state permission from the competent authority in Germany. Third countries are all states that do not belong to the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. In order to obtain the permit, you must have your foreign professional qualification recognised. In the recognition procedure, the competent authority compares your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification and checks its equivalence. The equivalence of the professional qualification is an important prerequisite for the granting of the state permit.

In addition to the equivalence of the professional qualification, you must also meet other requirements for the granting of the permit. Further requirements are, for example, sufficient German language skills and health suitability.

If your professional qualification comes from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, different regulations apply.
You can also apply for the procedure from abroad.

Prerequisites

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

Required documents

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

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 in a profession comparable to that of a nurse
Proof of further relevant knowledge for working as a nurse
Do you still live or work in a third country, i.e. not in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland? Then you may have to prove that you have received the confirmation of a health and care facility to work as a nurse in Germany.

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

Proof of your personal suitability: Extract from criminal record or certificate of good conduct from your country of origin.
Proof of your fitness for health: Medical certificate.
Proof of your German language skills: Language certificate

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

Fees (costs)

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

In addition, further costs may arise (for example, for translations, certifications or compensatory measures such as an adaptation course or a knowledge test). These costs vary from person to person.

Deadlines

There is no deadline.

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

Legal remedy

You can take legal action against the decision of the competent authority within a certain period of time (for example, lodge an objection). The decision is then reviewed. Details can be found in the notice 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.

Applications / Forms

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 necessary: No

Procedure

Application

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

You can submit an application 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 send 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 test

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 job title "nurse" or "nursing specialist".

Are there significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? Perhaps you can compensate 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 be that the essential differences cannot be compensated by 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 essential differences.

The competent authority will also give you compensatory measures that you can take to compensate for the essential 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 certain subjects and areas. The knowledge test includes an oral and practical part.

You can choose between an adaptation course or a knowledge test.
If you successfully complete the compensatory measure and meet all other requirements, you will receive permission to use the job title "nursing specialist" or "nursing specialist".

Further information

Equivalence notice
In the permit procedure, the examination of equivalence (recognition procedure) is also carried out. You can request a separate decision for the result of the examination.

Procedure for ethnic German repatriates
As a ethnic German repatriate, you can either go through the recognition procedure according to the laws mentioned here or according to the Federal Displaced Persons Act. You can decide for yourself. The responsible body will advise you on which procedure is right for you.