Apply for recognition as a medical-technical assistant for functional diagnostics with a professional qualification from the EU/EEA/Switzerland
The profession of medical-technical assistant for functional diagnostics is regulated in Germany. This means that in order to work as a medical-technical assistant for functional diagnostics in Germany, you need a state license. With the permit, you can use the job title "medical-technical assistant for functional diagnostics" or "medical-technical assistant for functional diagnostics" and work in the profession.
If you have a professional qualification from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you can also obtain a state license from the competent authority in Germany. In order to obtain the permit, you must have your foreign professional qualification recognized.
On January 1, 2023, the training of professions in medical technology was reformed in Germany. The new law on professions in medical technology applies. The profession on this basis is called Medical Technologist for Functional Diagnostics or Medical Technologist for Functional Diagnostics. There is a transitional period for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications on the basis of the old Act on Technical Assistants in Medicine. Until 31.12.2026, foreign professional qualifications may still be recognized as a medical-technical assistant for functional diagnostics or medical-technical assistant for functional diagnostics on a transitional basis. The responsible office will advise you.
In the recognition procedure, the competent body will compare your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification and check the equivalence. The equivalence of the professional qualification is an important prerequisite for the granting of a state license.
In addition to the equivalence of the professional qualification, you must also meet other requirements for the permit to be issued. Further requirements include, for example, sufficient German language skills and health suitability.
If your professional qualification does not originate from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, other regulations apply.
You can also apply for the procedure from abroad.
Who should I contact?
- Es gibt viele Beratungsangebote. Diese finden Sie auf dem Portal Anerkennung in Deutschland.
- Lassen Sie sich von einer IQ-Beratungsstelle persönlich zu diesem Verfahren und Ihrer Qualifikation beraten. Die Beraterinnen und Berater helfen Ihnen auch vor der Antragstellung mit Ihren Unterlagen. Die Beratung ist kostenlos.
- Sie können auch die Hotline „Arbeiten und Leben in Deutschland“ anrufen.
Remark: Telefonnummer: +49 30 1815-1111
- Wenn Sie im Ausland sind: Über die Hotline erreichen Sie auch die Zentrale Servicestelle Berufsanerkennung (ZSBA). Dies bietet Ihnen vertiefte Beratung und Unterstützung im Anerkennungsverfahren und führt eine Standortberatung durch.
Responsible authorities
Niedersächsisches Landesamt für Soziales, Jugend und Familie
Requirements
- You have a professional qualification as a medical-technical assistant for functional diagnostics or medical-technical assistant for functional diagnostics from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland.
- You want to work in Germany as a medical-technical assistant for functional diagnostics.
- Personal suitability: You are reliable for work as a medical-technical assistant for functional diagnostics and have no criminal record.
- Health suitability: You are mentally and physically fit to work as a medical-technical assistant for functional diagnostics.
- You have German language skills at the required level. This is normally language level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Which documents are required?
- Proof of identity (identity card or passport)
- Marriage certificate (if your name has changed due to marriage)
- Curriculum vitae
- Proof of your professional qualifications (e.g. certificates, professional certificate)
- Proof of training
- Proof of your relevant professional experience as a medical-technical assistant for functional diagnostics or medical-technical assistant for functional diagnostics
- Proof of other relevant knowledge for working as a medical-technical assistant for functional diagnostics or medical-technical assistant for functional diagnostics
- Perhaps: You come from a third country and do not yet live or work in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland? Then you must provide proof: You want to work in the profession in Germany. Proof can be, for example, an application for an entry visa for gainful employment, job applications, invitations to interviews, a business concept or a location note from the Central Service Agency for Professional Recognition (ZSBA).
You usually submit these documents later. The responsible office will inform you when you should submit the documents:
- Proof of your personal suitability: criminal record extract or certificate of good conduct from your country of origin. The certificate must not be older than 3 months at the time of application.
- Proof of your health suitability: Medical certificate. The certificate must not be older than 3 months at the time of application.
- Proof of your German language skills: Language certificate
The responsible office will let you know which documents you need to submit as a simple copy, a certified copy or the original.
What are the fees?
The responsible office will inform you of the costs. The costs generally depend on the time and effort required for processing.
Additional costs may be incurred (e.g. for translations, certifications or compensatory measures). These costs vary from case to case.
Process flow
Application
You submit an application for permission to use the job title "Medical-technical assistant for functional diagnostics" to the competent authority. You can hand in the application with the documents to the relevant office or send it by post. Do not send any originals. Sometimes you can also send the application electronically. The responsible office will inform you.
Examination of equivalence
The competent authority will then check whether you meet all the requirements. An important requirement is the equivalence of your professional qualification. The competent body will compare your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification as a medical-technical assistant for functional diagnostics. 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 examination
If your professional qualification is equivalent, your foreign professional qualification will be recognized. The competent authority can confirm the result in writing. You must still meet the other requirements. You will then receive permission to use the professional title "Medical-technical assistant for functional diagnostics" or "Medical-technical assistant for functional diagnostics".
Are there any significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? You may be able to compensate for the differences through your professional experience, other knowledge or skills (lifelong learning). You must provide evidence of your professional experience. Knowledge and skills must be certified by an authority in the country in which you acquired the knowledge or skills.
However, it may be that the significant differences cannot be compensated for by this knowledge. In this case, your foreign professional qualification will not be recognized. You will then not be allowed to work as a medical-technical assistant for functional diagnostics in Germany.
However, the competent authority will tell you the main differences and why you cannot compensate for the main differences with your professional experience.
In most cases, you can take a compensatory measure. This will allow you to compensate for the main differences.
Compensatory measures
There are various compensatory measures:
- Adaptation course: The adaptation course lasts a maximum of three years.
- Aptitude test: In the aptitude test, only those areas in which significant differences have been identified are tested. The aptitude test is an interview.
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 job title "Medical-technical assistant for functional diagnostics" or "Medical-technical assistant for functional diagnostics".
Processing duration
Processing Time: 4 MonthsThe responsible office will inform you if any documents are missing. If the documents are complete, the procedure will take a maximum of 4 months.
What else should I know?
Freedom to provide services
Do you only want to offer services in Germany occasionally and for a short time? Then you usually do not need a state permit. You must fulfill these requirements:
- You must be established in another EU or EEA member state or in Switzerland.
- You must provide proof of your professional qualification.
- You must notify the competent authority of your activity in writing.
The competent authority will inform you whether you are permitted to provide services or whether you need to take an aptitude test.
Notification of equivalence
The equivalence assessment (recognition procedure) also takes place during the authorization procedure. You can apply for a separate decision on the result of the examination.
Procedure for ethnic German repatriates
As a late repatriate, you can go through the recognition procedure either in accordance with the laws mentioned here or in accordance with the Federal Expellee Act. You can decide for yourself. The responsible office will advise you on which procedure is right for you.
- Vorbehaltene Tätigkeiten
- Informationen zur Anerkennung ausländischer Berufsqualifikationen auf dem Portal Anerkennung in Deutschland
- Finanzielle Hilfen für das Anerkennungsverfahren
- Öffentlich bestellte Übersetzerinnen und Übersetzer in Deutschland
- Gemeinsamer Europäischer Referenzrahmen für Sprachen (GER)
- Verfahren nach dem Bundesvertriebenengesetz
Legal basis
§ Section 75 of the Medical Technology Professions Act (MT-Berufe-Gesetz - MTBG)
- i.V.m. § Section 1 (1) No. 3, Section 2 (1-4) of the Act on Technical Assistants in Medicine in the version valid on December 31, 2022
- in conjunction with §§ Sections 25, 25a, 25c of the Training and Examination Ordinance for Technical Assistants in Medicine in the version valid on December 31, 2022
Appeal
You can take legal action against the decision of the competent authority within a certain period of time (for example, by lodging an objection). 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 speak to the responsible office before taking legal action against the decision.