Occupational therapist with training from EU/EEA/Switzerland, professional qualification recognised

Application

You submit an application to the competent authority for permission to use the professional title "occupational therapist" or "occupational therapist". You can submit the application with the documents to the competent authority or send it by post. Do not ship originals. Sometimes you can also send the application electronically. The competent authority will inform you.
 

Equivalence test

The competent authority will then check whether you meet all the requirements. An important prerequisite is the equivalence of your professional qualification. The competent authority compares your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification as an occupational 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 exam

If your professional qualification is equivalent, your foreign professional qualification will be recognised. The competent authority can confirm the result in writing. You still have to meet the other requirements. Then you will receive permission to use the professional title "occupational therapist".

Are there any 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 must provide proof of professional experience. Knowledge and skills must be certified by an authority of the state in which you acquired the knowledge or skills.

However, it may not be possible to compensate for the essential differences by this knowledge. In this case, your foreign professional qualification will not be recognised. You are then not allowed to work as an occupational therapist in Germany.

However, the competent authority will tell you the main differences and why you cannot compensate for the significant differences through your professional practice.

In most cases, you can take a compensatory action. This allows you to compensate for the essential differences.
 

Compensatory measures

There are various compensatory measures:

• Adaptation period: The adaptation period lasts a maximum of three years.
• Aptitude test: The aptitude test examines only those areas where significant differences have been identified. The aptitude test consists of a practical exam.

You can choose between an adaptation period or an aptitude test.

If you successfully complete the compensatory measure and meet all other requirements, you will be granted permission to use the professional title "occupational therapist".

Lower Saxony State Office for Social Affairs, Youth and Family - Lüneburg Branch Office

• You have a professional qualification as an occupational therapist from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland.
• You want to work as an occupational therapist in Germany.
• Personal suitability: You are reliable to work as an occupational therapist and have no criminal record.
• Health suitability: You can work mentally and physically as an occupational therapist.
• You have German language skills at the required level. This is usually language level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

The competent authority will tell you which documents you need to submit. Important documents are in general:

• Proof of identity (ID card or passport)
• Marriage certificate (if your name has changed as a result of marriage)
• Curriculum vitae
• Proof of your professional qualification (e.g. certificates, professional certificate)
• Proof of education
• Proof of your relevant professional experience as an occupational therapist
• Proof of other relevant knowledge for working as an occupational therapist
• You don't live or work in Germany yet? Then you may need to prove that you want to work in the profession in Germany. Evidence includes, for example, job applications, invitations to job interviews, personal statement
   

You will usually submit these documents later. The competent authority will inform you when you should hand in the documents:

• Proof of your personal suitability: extract from the criminal record or certificate of good conduct from your country of origin. The proof must be no more than 3 months old at the time of application.
• Proof of your health suitability: Medical certificate. The proof must be no more than 3 months old at the time of application.
• Proof of your German language skills: Language certificate

The competent authority will inform you which documents you need to submit as a simple copy, as a certified copy or in the original.

The competent authority will inform you about the costs. The costs generally depend on the amount of work involved.

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

None.

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

You can take legal action against the decision of the competent authority within a certain period of time (e.g. file an appeal). The decision will then be reviewed. Details can be found in the information on legal remedies at the end of your decision. We recommend that you first talk to the competent authority before taking legal action against the decision.

Freedom to provide services

Do you only want to offer services in Germany sometimes and for a short time? In this case, you usually do not need the state permit. You must meet these requirements:

• You must be established in another country of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland.
• You will need to prove your professional qualification.
• You must report your activity in writing to the competent authority.

The competent authority will inform you whether you are allowed to provide services or whether you have to take an aptitude test.
 

Certificate of equivalence

In the licensing procedure, equivalence is also checked (recognition procedure). You can apply for a separate decision for the result of the examination.
 

Procedure for ethnic German repatriates

As a late repatriate, you can either go through the recognition procedure in accordance with the laws mentioned here or in accordance with the Federal Expellees Act. This is up to you. The competent authority will advise you on which procedure is right for you.

Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training

Federal Ministry of Health

07.12.2021

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.