Diploma recognition (Anerkennung)
Choose your profession — we explain the recognition procedure and provide a document checklist you can tick off.
Recognition procedure — choose profession and state
Choose your profession and the federal state where you want to work — you get the exact recognition procedure and competent authority. Data from official German sources.
Nurse (Registered General Nurse)
Competent authority: Competent authority of the federal state where you intend to work (e.g. Bezirksregierung in NRW, Regierungspräsidium in Baden-Württemberg). Legal basis: Nursing Professions Act (Pflegeberufegesetz, PflBG).
Procedure for nurses
1. Application to the competent authority of the chosen federal state.
2. Equivalence assessment (Gleichwertigkeitsprüfung) comparing your training with the German reference qualification.
3. Outcome: full equivalence → recognition decision; or substantial differences → deficit notice (Defizitbescheid).
4. Compensation measure (for third countries, usually your choice): knowledge examination (Kenntnisprüfung) or adaptation course (Anpassungslehrgang).
5. Language: generally proof of general B2 (CEFR); many states additionally require a professional-language exam (Fachsprachprüfung) for health professions. Exact level depends on the state.
6. Grant of authorisation to use the professional title once the exam/measure and language proof are completed.
> Deadlines and fees vary by federal state.
Document checklist
0/13Informative — the exact list depends on the federal state and your situation. We help you prepare everything correctly.
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