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 physiotherapist is regulated in Germany. This means: In order to be able to work as a physiotherapist in Germany, you need a state permit. With this permit, you may use the professional title "physiotherapist" and work in the profession.

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

In order to obtain the permit, you must have your foreign professional qualification recognised.

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 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 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 physiotherapist from a third country.
• You want to work as a physiotherapist in Germany.
• Personal suitability: You are reliable for work as a physical therapist and have no criminal record.
• Health suitability: You are mentally and physically able to work as a physical therapist.
• 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).

The relevant office will tell you what 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 education
• Evidence of your relevant professional experience as a physical therapist
• Evidence of other relevant knowledge for working as a physiotherapist
• Do you not yet live or work in the EU, EEA or Switzerland? Then you must provide evidence You want to work in Germany in the profession. Evidence can be: Applications for a job, proof of your application for an entry visa for gainful employment or personal declaration.
  
  

You usually hand in these documents later. The competent 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. The proof must not be older than 3 months at the time of application.
• Proof of your health suitability: Medical certificate. The certificate must not be older than 3 months at the time of application.
• Proof of your German language skills: Language certificate

The responsible office will inform you which documents you have to submit as a simple copy, as a certified copy or as an original.

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

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

Application

You apply to the competent authority for permission to use the professional title "physiotherapist". You can hand in the application with the documents to the competent body or send it by post. Do not send originals. Sometimes you can send the application electronically. The competent body 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 your German professional qualification as a physical therapist. 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 recognised. The competent body can confirm the result to you in writing. You still have to fulfil the other requirements. Then you will receive permission to use the professional title "physiotherapist".

Are there significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? Perhaps you can 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 that case, your foreign professional qualification will not be recognised. You will then not be allowed to work as a physiotherapist in Germany.

However, the competent authority 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 enable you to compensate for the substantial differences.

Compensatory measures

There are different 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 includes an oral and practical part.
  
  

You can choose between an adaptation period and a knowledge test.

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

None.

Sometimes documents are still missing from the procedure. The responsible office will then inform you by when you have to submit the documents.

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.
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)
Ask an IQ advice center for personal advice on this procedure and your qualifications. The advisors will also help you with your documents before you submit your application. Advice is free of charge.
There are many advisory services. You can find them on the Recognition in Germany portal.

• § Section 1 (1) No. 1, Section 2 (2) of the Act on Professions in Physiotherapy (Masseur and Physiotherapist Act - MPhG)
• §§ Sections 21b, 21c of the Training and Examination Ordinance for Physiotherapists

Equivalency notice

The examination of equivalence (recognition procedure) also takes place 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 best.

• 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 Institute for Vocational Education and Training

Federal Ministry of Health