Apply for recognition as a midwife with a professional qualification that is not automatically recognised

Application

You submit an application for permission to use the professional title "midwife" to the competent authority.

You can apply if you do not yet live in Germany. 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 midwife. The professional qualification is equivalent if there are no significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification.

Note: If your professional qualification is automatically recognised, the competent authority will not carry out an equivalence test. That's a different procedure. The competent authority will inform you.
 

Possible results of the equivalence test

If your foreign professional qualification is equivalent, it will be recognized. 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 "midwife".

Are there any significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? Perhaps you can compensate for the differences with your work experience, other knowledge or skills (lifelong learning). Knowledge and skills must be certified by an authority of the state in which you acquired the knowledge or skills.

However, the significant differences may not be compensated for by your work experience, knowledge or skills. In this case, the competent authority will tell you the essential differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification and why you cannot compensate for these essential differences with your professional experience or your knowledge and skills.

The competent authority will also provide you with compensatory measures that you can take to compensate for the significant differences.
If you decide not to take compensatory measures, your professional qualification will not be recognised and you will not be allowed to work as a midwife in Germany.
 

Compensatory measures

There are various compensatory measures:

• Adaptation period: The adaptation period lasts a maximum of three years.
• Aptitude test: The aptitude test consists of a practical exam that is combined with an exam interview.
• Knowledge test for professional qualification from a third country: The knowledge test tests your knowledge in certain subjects and areas. The knowledge test consists of an oral and a practical part.

The competent authority will tell you whether you need to take one or more compensatory measures and whether you can choose which of the compensatory measures you take. It depends on the level of your education.

If you successfully complete the compensatory measure and meet all other requirements, you will receive permission to use the professional title "midwife".

• You have a professional qualification as a midwife from abroad.
• In order to obtain the state permit, it is necessary to check the equivalence of your professional qualification.
• You want to work as a midwife in Germany.
• Personal suitability: You are reliable for working as a midwife and have no criminal record.
• Health suitability: You can work as a midwife mentally and physically.
• 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 midwife
• Proof of further relevant knowledge for working as a midwife
• Perhaps: You don't live or work in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland yet? Then you have to prove that you want to work in the profession in Germany. Evidence includes, for example, applications for a job, proof of your application for an entry visa for gainful employment, or a personal statement
   

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.
• Proof of your health suitability: Medical certificate
• Proof of your German language skills: Language certificate
   

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 arise (e.g. for translations or certifications). 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. As a result, the procedure may be prolonged.

• §§ 5, 43, 44, 54 Law on the Study and Profession of Midwives (Midwifery Act - HebG)
• §§ 43, 44, 48 et seq. Study and Examination Ordinance for Midwives (HebStPrV)

or

• § 77a para. 1 HebG in conjunction with § 2 para. 2 HebG old version

• 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

You can take legal action against the decision of the competent authority within a certain period of time (e.g. file 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 talk to the competent authority before taking legal action against the decision.

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.
 

Use of the (male) professional title "maternity nurse"
Until the end of 2024, you can also apply for the (male) professional title of "maternity nurse". In this case, the provisions of the Midwifery Act will apply in the version until 31 December 2019. Your competent authority will inform you of the details.

Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training

Federal Ministry of Health

28.06.2022

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.