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FAQ Health Professions | Recognition of foreign educational qualificationsLanguage skills

If you want to work in a healthcare profession in Germany, you need sufficient knowledge of German. This is regulated by law.

You must provide proof of sufficient German language skills in the general language and in the specialist language (specifically for your profession). All German language skills must be available in the following language modules: reading, speaking, listening and writing.

The aim is for you to be able to hold spontaneous and largely fluent conversations, especially with patients. It is also necessary for you to be able to understand and reproduce complex texts and specialist discussions on medical topics.

Language skills at level B2 or B2 care are required for issuing the professional certificate. 

Exception: Level C1 is required in the field of social pedagogy and level C2 in logopedagogy.

As a general rule, proof of a test at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) at a recognized language institute with ALTE certification as a full member (e.g. Goethe-Institut, TELC, ÖSD etc.) is required. A list of ALTE full members can be found at: 
https://www.alte.org/Our-Full-Members.

The original B2 certificate must be submitted. You will receive it back with the certificate.

Please note:

You do not need proof of B2 level language skills if you:

  • have attended and graduated from a German-speaking school for at least 10 years
  • have completed at least three years of vocational training in German
  • have successfully completed a state program for the recruitment of foreign specialists in healthcare professions, including a job-related German course (German Language Diploma DSD II of the Conference of Ministers of Culture)

The specialist language test is not yet conducted in Baden-Württemberg.
You can take the nursing language skills test at 

BSB Deutschland GmbH
Alter Postweg 125
26133 Oldenburg

or

digiFORT gGmbH
Große Rosenstraße 21
34117 Kassel

Yes, the specialist language examination from another federal state is generally accepted. We require an original confirmation that you have passed the specialist language test. Please enclose this certificate with your application.