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Apply for recognition as a midwife with a professional qualification that is not automatically recognized

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Procedure

            			
Application 

You apply to the competent authority for permission to use the professional title "midwife". 

You submit the application online or with the scanned documents in pdf format to the competent authority by e-mail. 

You can submit an application if you do not yet live in Germany.  

Equivalency check 

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

Note: If your professional qualification is automatically recognized, the competent authority will not carry out an equivalence check. This is a different procedure. The competent authority will inform you. 

Possible results of the equivalence assessment 

If your foreign professional qualification is equivalent, it will be recognized. The competent authority can confirm the result in writing. You must still meet the other requirements. You will then receive permission to use the professional title "midwife". 

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

However, it may be that the significant differences cannot be compensated for by your professional experience, knowledge or skills. In this case, the competent authority will inform you of the significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification and why you cannot compensate for these significant differences with your professional experience or your knowledge and skills. 

The competent authority will also tell you what compensatory measures you can take to offset the significant differences. 

If you decide not to take compensatory measures, your professional qualification will not be recognized and you will not be allowed to work as a midwife in Germany. 

Compensatory measures 

There are various compensatory measures: 


  • Adaptation course: The adaptation course lasts a maximum of three years.
  • Aptitude test: The aptitude test consists of a practical examination combined with an interview.
  • Knowledge examination for professional qualifications from a third country: The knowledge examination tests your knowledge in certain subjects and areas. The knowledge test comprises an oral and a practical part.

The competent authority will inform you whether you have to take one or more compensatory measures and whether you can choose which of the compensatory measures you take. This depends on the level of your training. 

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

			
Legal bases
			
More information
Partial access to the profession for professional qualifications from the EU, EEA or Switzerland 

Your professional qualification is not equivalent and the differences are too great? Then you may be able to work in the profession with partial access to the profession. With partial access to the profession, you can also work as a midwife without recognition. There are certain requirements for this. Your professional qualification must include at least one so-called reserved activity of the German professional qualification of a midwife. Only specially trained persons may carry out reserved activities.  

You must also provide proof: You are personally suitable, in good health and have the required knowledge of German. 

With partial access to the profession, you may only carry out certain tasks as a midwife. You apply for partial access to the profession at the competent authority.  

Notification of equivalence 

The equivalence assessment (recognition procedure) also takes place during the licensing procedure. You can apply for a separate decision on the result of the examination.  

Procedure for ethnic German repatriates 

As an ethnic German repatriate, you can go through the recognition procedure either in accordance with the laws mentioned here or in accordance with the Federal Expellees Act. You can decide for yourself. The responsible office will advise you on which procedure is right for you.  

Using the (male) professional title "maternity nurse" 

Until the end of 2024, you can also apply for the (male) professional title "maternity nurse". The regulations of the Midwives Act as amended until December 31, 2019 will then apply. Your competent authority will inform you about the details. 

Legal remedy 

You can take legal action against the decision of the competent authority within a certain period of time (for example, by lodging an objection). The decision will then be reviewed. Details can be found in the information on legal remedies at the end of your decision. We recommend that you first speak to the competent authority before taking legal action against the decision.