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

Procedure

Application

You apply to the competent authority for permission to use the professional title "Pflegefachfrau" or "Pflegefachmann". Or you can apply for the professional title "Pflegefachperson".

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

Examination of equivalence

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

You can also waive the equivalence check and complete a knowledge test or an adaptation period directly. In this case, the competent authority will not carry out an equivalence check.

Possible results of the examination

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 "Pflegefachperson", "Pflegefachfrau" or "Pflegefachmann".

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, skills or competencies (lifelong learning). Knowledge, skills and competences must be certified by an authority in the country in which you acquired the knowledge, skills or competences.

However, it may be that the significant differences cannot be compensated for by your professional experience, knowledge, skills or competences. 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.

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 nurse in Germany.

Compensatory measures

There are various compensatory measures:

• Adaptation course: The adaptation course lasts a maximum of three years.
• Knowledge examination: The knowledge examination tests your knowledge in certain subjects and areas. The knowledge test comprises an oral and practical part.

You can choose between an adaptation period or a knowledge test, even if you choose not to take an equivalence test.
If you successfully complete the compensation measure and meet all other requirements, you will receive permission to use the professional title "Pflegefachperson ", "Pflegefachfrau" or "Pflegefachmann".

Legal bases

• §§ 1 Absatz 1, 40, 43 Gesetz über die Pflegeberufe (Pflegeberufegesetz - PflBG)
• §§ 43 ff. Ausbildungs- und Prüfungsverordnung für die Pflegeberufe (Pflegeberufe-Ausbildungs- und -Prüfungsverordnung - PflAPrV)

More information

Notification of equivalence
The equivalence assessment is always carried out as part of the approval procedure (recognition procedure). You can apply for a separate decision on the result of the assessment.

Procedure for ethnic German repatriates
As an ethnic German repatriate, you can choose to undergo the recognition procedure 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 which procedure is right for you.

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.