Administrative services A-Z

Online procedure possible: no

Written form required: yes

Personal appearance required: no

• Proof of health suitability to practice the profession (medical certificate) (not older than 3 months)

The activity as a psychological psychotherapist or child and adolescent psychotherapist is regulated by precise regulations in Germany. This means that in order for you to be able to work in the profession of psychological psychotherapy or child and adolescent psychotherapy in Germany, you need a license to practice medicine or a temporary permit to practice the profession. Then you can also obtain permission to temporarily practice medical psychotherapy.

Permission to temporarily practice medical psychotherapy is required for the exercise of the profession. It must be applied for.

• completed training in the profession of psychological psychotherapy or child and adolescent psychotherapy,
• health suitability,
• Proof of reliability and appreciation for the exercise of the profession
• Sufficient knowledge of German at level C 2
• Proof of competence

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

• Proof of identity (for example, your passport or ID card)
• if you change your name: marriage certificate
• Curriculum vitae in tabular form and in German (list of your training courses and professional experience)
• Proof of your professional qualification (certificate, detailed overview of subjects and hours on theory and practice, Diploma Supplement)
• Certificate that you are allowed to work as a psychological psychotherapist or child and adolescent psychotherapist in your country of training
• Proof of your professional experience (e.g. certificates from employers)
• Proof of your other qualifications (e.g. professional training, courses, seminars)
• Registration certificate or proof that you want to work in the federal state where you are applying
• written declaration as to whether and to which body you have already submitted an application for a determination of equivalence. If available, also the notification received
• Proof of your German language skills
• Proof of your personal suitability:
  • official certificate of good conduct from a German authority. Another name for the official certificate of good conduct is "Certificate of Good Conduct Document Type O".

In Germany, you can get the certificate of good conduct from your residents' registration office or citizens' registration office. As a rule, the official certificate of good conduct should be no more than 3 months old when it is presented.

Likewise, a certificate from an authority in your home country: for example, an extract from the criminal record

• a Certificate of Good Standing
• a signed declaration that no criminal proceedings are underway against you and that you are not under investigation
• Proof of health fitness: A medical certificate or certificate of your health. The proof must be no more than 3 months old when you submit the application.

The LAVG will tell you which documents you need to submit in the original or as a copy.

You must submit your documents in German. This often means that your documents need to be translated. Translations must be carried out by translators who are publicly appointed or authorised.

The procedure costs money. The LAVG will inform you about the costs. The costs generally depend on the effort required for processing.

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

The course of the procedure may vary from state to state. In most federal states, the procedure is as follows:

You must apply for permission to temporarily practice medical psychotherapy in writing:

• Submit your application together with the necessary documents to the LAVG.
• LAVG will then check whether you meet all the requirements according to § 4 of the Act on the Professions of Psychological Psychotherapist and Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist.
• LAVG shall set out its decision in writing in a decision.
• You can take legal action against the decision of the LAVG.

The decision will then be reviewed. Details can be found in the information on legal remedies at the end of the decision.

None.

Sometimes documents for the procedure are still missing. The LAVG will inform you and give you deadlines. Then you need to submit the documents by the deadline.

State Office for Occupational Safety, Consumer Protection and Health (LAVG)

Department of Health, Division G1

State Office for Occupational Safety, Consumer Protection and Health (LAVG)

Department of Health, Division G1

There are numerous counselling services. These can be found on Recognition in Germany .

Get personal advice on this procedure and your qualifications at an IQ counselling centre . The advisors will also help you with your documents before submitting your application. The consultation is free of charge.

You can also call the hotline of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. The hotline will answer your questions on the subject of "Working and living in Germany".
Phone: +49 30 1815-1111

Hours:
Monday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

• § 1 Psychotherapists Act (PsychThG)
• § 4 Psychotherapists Act (PsychThG)

• Information on the recognition of foreign professional qualifications on "Recognition in Germany"
• Information on the recognition of foreign professional qualifications on the BQ portal
• Financial aid in the recognition procedure
• Information on the Point of Single Contact
• Points of Single Contact in Germany
• Publicly appointed translators in Germany

Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Integration and Consumer Protection