Administrative services A-Z

State of Brandenburg:

- Application for permission to use the professional title

- Proof of fitness for the exercise of the above-mentioned profession (not older than three months)

Online procedure possible: no

Written form required: yes

Personal appearance required: no

• Https://lavg.brandenburg.de/lavg/de/gesundheit/gesundheitsfachberufe/anerkennung-auslaendischer-ausbildung/

The profession of medical-technical laboratory assistant is regulated in Germany. This means that in order to work as a medical-technical laboratory assistant in Germany, you need a state permit. With the permit, you may use the job title "medical-technical laboratory assistant" and work in the profession.

Even with a professional qualification from a so-called third country, you can obtain the state permit 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.

To obtain the permit, you must have your foreign professional qualification recognized.

On January 1, 2023, the training of professions in medical technology was reformed in Germany. The new law on professions in medical technology applies. The profession on this basis is called medical technologist for laboratory analysis. There is a transitional period for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications on the basis of the old Act on Technical Assistants in Medicine. Until December 31, 2026, foreign professional qualifications may still be recognized as medical technical laboratory assistants on a transitional basis under certain circumstances.

In the recognition procedure, the competent body compares your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification and checks the 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 fulfill other requirements for the issuance of the permit. Further requirements are, for example, sufficient German language skills and health suitability.

If your professional qualification originates from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, other regulations apply.

You can also submit the application for the procedure from abroad.

• You have a professional qualification as a medical-technical laboratory assistant from a third country.
• You want to work in Germany as a medical-technical laboratory assistant.
• Personal suitability: You are reliable for work as a medical-technical laboratory assistant and have no criminal record.
• Health suitability: you are mentally and physically able to work as a medical-technical laboratory assistant.
• You have German language skills at the required level. This is normally language level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

• Proof of identity (identity card or passport)
• Marriage certificate (if your name has changed due to marriage)
• Curriculum vitae
• Proof of your professional qualification (for example, certificates, professional certificate)
• Proof of education
• Evidence of your relevant work experience as a medical laboratory technician
• Evidence of other relevant knowledge for working as a medical laboratory assistant
• Maybe: You come from a third country and do not yet live or work in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland? Then you have to prove: You want to work in Germany in the profession. Proofs are, for example, the application for an entry visa for gainful employment, applications for a job, invitations to job interviews, a business concept or a location note from the Central Service Office for Professional Recognition (ZSBA).

You usually hand in these documents later. The responsible office will inform you when to hand in the documents:

• Proof of your personal suitability: criminal record extract 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 office will inform you which documents you have to submit as a simple copy, a certified copy or the original.

The responsible office will inform you about the costs. The costs generally depend on the effort required for processing.

Additional costs may arise (for example, for translations, certifications or compensatory measures). These costs vary individually.

Application

You submit an application for permission to use the occupational title "medical-technical laboratory assistant" to the competent office. You can hand in the application with the documents to the competent office or send it by mail. Do not send originals. Sometimes you can also send the application electronically. The competent office will inform you.

Checking the equivalence

The competent body will then check whether you meet all the requirements. One important requirement is the equivalence of your professional qualification. The competent body compares your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification as a medical-technical laboratory assistant. The professional qualification is equivalent if there are no significant differences between your foreign professional qualification and the German professional qualification.

Possible results of the examination

If your professional qualification is equivalent, your foreign professional qualification will be recognized. The competent body can confirm the result to you in writing. You still have to fulfill the other requirements. Then you will receive permission to use the occupational title "medical-technical laboratory assistant" or "medical-technical laboratory assistant".

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 practice, other knowledge or skills (lifelong learning). You have to prove the professional practice. Knowledge and skills must be certified by an authority of the state in which you acquired the knowledge or skills.

However, it may be that the essential differences cannot be compensated by this knowledge. In this case, your foreign professional qualification will not be recognized. You will then not be allowed to work as a medical-technical laboratory assistant in Germany.

However, the responsible office will tell you the essential differences and why you cannot compensate for the essential differences through your professional practice.

In most cases, you can make a compensatory measure. This will allow you to compensate for the essential differences.

Compensatory measures

There are several compensatory measures:

• Adaptation course: the adaptation course lasts a maximum of three years.
• Knowledge examination: The knowledge examination tests your knowledge in specific subjects and areas. The knowledge examination is a practical examination with an examination interview.
  

You can choose between an adaptation course or a knowledge examination.

If you successfully complete the compensatory measure and meet all other requirements, you will receive permission to use the occupational title of "medical-technical laboratory assistant".

State Office for Occupational Safety, Consumer Protection and Health

Department of Health, Department G1

If you are abroad: You can also contact the Central Service Center for Professional Recognition (ZSBA) via the hotline. This offers you in-depth advice and support in the recognition procedure and provides location advice.
Ask an IQ advice center for personal advice on this procedure and your qualification. The advisors will also help you with your documents before you submit your application. The advice is free of charge.
There are many advisory services. You can find them on the Recognition in Germany portal.
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". Telephone number: +49 30 1815-1111 Office hours: Monday to Friday 08:00 - 18:00 (CET)

§ Section 75 Medical Technology Professions Act (MT-Berufe-Gesetz - MTBG)

• in conjunction with. § Section 1 (1) no. 1, Section 2 (1) and (2) of the Act on Technical Assistants in Medicine in the version applicable on December 31, 2022
• i.V.m. §§ Sections 25b, 25c Training and Examination Ordinance for Technical Assistants in Medicine in the version applicable on 31 December 2022

• § Section 75 of the Medical Technology Professions Act (MT-Berufe-Gesetz - MTBG)

Equivalency notice

The equivalence test (recognition procedure) is also carried out during the licensing procedure. You can apply for a separate decision on the result of the examination.

Procedure for late repatriates

As a late repatriate, you can either go through the recognition procedure according to the laws mentioned here or according to the Federal Expellees Act. You can decide this yourself. The competent office will advise you which procedure suits you.

• Information on the recognition of foreign professional qualifications on the Recognition in Germany portal
• Financial aid for the recognition procedure
• Publicly appointed translators in Germany
• Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
• Proceedings under the Federal Expellees Act

Federal Ministry of Health

Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training