Applying for recognition as a surgical assistant with a professional qualification from third countries

Application

You submit an application to the competent authority for permission to use the professional title "Surgical Technical Assistant".

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 with the German professional qualification as a surgical 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 exam

If your professional qualification is equivalent, your foreign professional qualification will be recognised. The competent authority can confirm the result in writing. You must also meet the other requirements, in which case you will be granted permission to use the professional title "Surgical Technical Assistant" or "Surgical Technical Assistant".

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. In this case, you are not allowed to work as a surgical assistant 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.

• Knowledge test: The knowledge test tests your knowledge in specific subjects and areas. The knowledge test consists of an oral and practical part.

You can often choose between an adaptation period or a knowledge test.

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

• You have a professional qualification as a surgical assistant from a third country.
• You want to work as a surgical assistant in Germany.
• Personal suitability: You are reliable to work as a surgical assistant and have no criminal record.
• Health suitability: You can work mentally and physically as a surgical assistant.
• 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 a surgical assistant
• Proof of other relevant knowledge for working as a surgical assistant
• Do you not yet live or work in the EU, EEA or Switzerland? Then you have to prove that you want to work in the profession in Germany. Evidence can be: job applications, proof of your application for an entry visa for gainful employment, or a business concept.
   

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
• Proof of your health suitability: Medical certificate
• Proof of your German language skills: Language certificate at language level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

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.

There is no deadline.

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

• Forms: Forms can be obtained from the competent authority.
• Online procedure possible: Ask the competent authority whether you can submit the application online.
• Personal appearance required: no

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

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.