FAQ Health Professions | Recognition of foreign educational qualificationsAptitude and knowledge test

As soon as the application has been submitted to us in full, we will check the extent to which the foreign training is equivalent to the German training on the basis of the statutory regulations.

If there are significant differences between the training courses, you will receive a so-called deficiency notice. You then have the option of taking an aptitude or knowledge test or participating in an adaptation period. You can make this decision yourself.

If you decide to take an aptitude or knowledge test when you submit your application, the scope of the aptitude or knowledge test will be determined without taking into account the training you have completed. There is therefore no need to check to what extent the foreign training is equivalent to the German training. This reduces the processing time for your application.

The aim of the aptitude or knowledge test is to prove that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to practice the profession.

The aptitude test only consists of a practical test. Participation is required if you have completed training in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland and your training cannot be directly recognized as equivalent. The decisive factors here are the proven job title and the date on which training began.

The knowledge test consists of an oral/theoretical and a practical examination. Participation in a knowledge test is required if you have completed your training in a third country (non-EU/EEA/Switzerland).

You can contact the institution that offers aptitude tests or knowledge tests directly. The institution will then inform us of your participation in the examination and you will be registered automatically. You will then receive the invitation to the examination from us.

No, you do not have to take part in a preparation course. You decide whether you want to prepare for the exam on your own or take part in a preparation course. However, we generally advise you to take part in a preparation course in order to successfully pass the exam.

The examination board for the oral/theoretical knowledge examination is made up of three people: 
two specialist examiners and a chairperson, who is appointed by us.

There is no legal requirement for this. You decide when you want to register for an exam.

We do not charge any fees for the examinations. However, the institutions (e.g. state-recognized schools, clinics) may charge examination fees. Please contact the institutions directly for more information.

The oral examinations take place at state-recognized schools or comparable recognized institutions.

The practical examinations take place in approved hospitals or suitable practical facilities. This may depend on the care situations specified in the deficiency notice.

The date for the examination is always organized by us in coordination with the respective institutions. The examinations are based on the respective training and examination regulations.

In order to speed up the duration of your procedure, you are welcome to contact an approved hospital or suitable practical facility yourself in advance regarding the practical examination and inform the state-recognized school where you are taking the oral examination.

Unfortunately, we cannot give you any information on the specific time it will take to receive an examination date. The dates are allocated by the state-recognized schools or similarly recognized institutions. As a rule, there are no long waiting times.

The oral/theoretical examination and the practical examination may be repeated once if you fail.

If you do not pass the examination on the repeated attempt, the application for recognition of the foreign professional qualification will be rejected.

NOTE: This applies not only to the state of Baden-Württemberg, but to the whole of Germany. Recognition of the foreign professional qualification is then no longer possible in Germany.

No, that is not possible. 
As long as we are responsible for the recognition procedure, we are also responsible for taking the aptitude or knowledge test.