Apply for recognition as a surgical assistant with a professional qualification from the EU/EEA/Switzerland

Application

You submit an application for permission to use the professional title "surgical technical assistant" to the competent authority.

You can submit the application with the documents to the competent authority or send it by post. Do not send originals. Sometimes you can also send the application electronically. The competent authority will inform you.
 

Examination of equivalence

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 technical 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 test

If your professional qualification is equivalent, your foreign professional qualification will be recognised. The competent authority can confirm the result to you in writing. You still have to meet the other requirements. Then you will receive 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 prove that you have 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 be that the essential differences cannot be compensated for 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 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 allows you to compensate for the significant differences.
 

Compensatory measures

There are various compensatory measures:

• Adaptation period: The adaptation period lasts a maximum of three years.

• Aptitude test: In the aptitude test, only those areas in which significant differences have been identified are examined. The aptitude test consists of a practical test.

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 receive permission to use the professional title "Surgical Technical Assistant".

• You have a professional qualification as a surgical technical assistant from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland.
• You want to work in Germany as a surgical assistant.
• Personal suitability: You are reliable for working as a surgical technical assistant and have no criminal record.
• Health suitability: You can work mentally and physically as a surgical technical assistant.
• You have German language skills at the required language level. This is usually the 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 generally:

• Proof of identity (ID 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)
• Proof of training
• Proof of your relevant professional experience as a surgical assistant
• Proof of further relevant knowledge for working as a surgical technical assistant
• You don't live or work in Germany yet? Then you may have to prove that you want to work in the profession in Germany. Evidence includes, for example, job applications, invitations to interviews, or a business concept.
   

You usually hand in 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 fitness: 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 at 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 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 effort required for processing.

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

There is no deadline.

Sometimes documents are still missing in 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

• Freedom to provide services
  Would you like to offer services only sometimes and for a short time in Germany? Then most of the time you don't need the state permit. You must meet these requirements:

• You must be established in another state of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland.
• You will need to prove your professional qualification.
• You must not be guilty of conduct that results in unreliability in the exercise of your profession.
• They must be suitable for health.
• 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.
   

• Notice of equivalence
  In the approval procedure, the equivalence is also checked (recognition procedure). You can apply for a separate notification for the result of the examination.
   

• Procedure for ethnic German repatriates
  As a late repatriate, you can go through the recognition procedure either according to the laws mentioned here or according to the Federal Expellees Act. You can decide for yourself. 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.