Apply for recognition as a specialist pharmacist with a professional qualification from a third country

Prerequisites

• You must already have a state professional license (approbation) valid in Germany as a pharmacist or a professional permit.
• You must prove the equivalence of your professional qualification as a specialist pharmacist.

Documents required

• Curriculum vitae with information on completed further training and professional experience
• Proof of identity (ID card or passport)
• Proof of German approbation or professional license and proof of the equivalent level of training
• Proof of further training and certificates of professional experience
• Written declaration as to whether you have already submitted an application for recognition to another Chamber of Pharmacists

If your documents are not in German, you must submit German translations of your documents. The translations must be made by translators who are publicly appointed or authorized.

Deadlines

No

Procedure

Before you submit the application, you must already be licensed as a pharmacist in Germany or have a professional license. You can apply for the recognition of your postgraduate training as a specialist pharmacist at the responsible regional chamber of pharmacists:

• First, submit your application and the required documents to the Hamburg Chamber of Pharmacists.
• You may be asked to submit missing documents.
• The competent authority checks whether your professional qualification is equivalent. The professional qualification is equivalent if there are no significant differences between your foreign professional qualification and the German professional qualification.
• If your qualification as a specialist pharmacist is recognised, you can work in this profession in Germany. You will receive a notification. If significant differences are found, the equivalence of your qualification as a specialist pharmacist will not be certified:
• You will receive a reason.
• You can take an aptitude test or an adaptation course to prove the lack of knowledge.
• If you successfully complete the aptitude test or the adaptation apprenticeship, you will receive recognition. You may then use the designation "Fachapotheker" or "Fachapotheker" for your specialization. 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 is then reviewed. Details can be found in the instructions on legal remedies at the end of your decision. We recommend that you first speak to the competent authority before taking legal action against the decision.

Processing time

You will receive confirmation of receipt within one month of submitting your application. The competent authority will inform you if documents are missing. A decision on your application will be made no later than 3 months after receipt of your complete documents. The deadline can be extended by one month.

Fees

unknown

Legal remedies

• contradiction


• Further information on how to file an objection can be found in the notification of your application


• Complaint before the administrative court

The profession of specialist pharmacist is regulated in Germany. This means: You need a permit if you want to use the designation “Fachapotheker” or “Fachapotheker” for your specialization in the federal state you have chosen.
With the training as a specialist pharmacist, you have acquired a pharmaceutical specialization for your qualification as a pharmacist abroad. To work as a pharmacist in Germany, you first need a license to practice medicine or a professional license.
In order to be able to work as a specialist pharmacist in Germany, you must also apply for recognition of your further training as a specialist pharmacist. This allows you to use the designation "Fachapotheker" or "Fachapotheker" in your respective specialization.
Notes: You may only use the designation for your specialization if there is a corresponding further training designation in Germany.
Permission will be granted by the responsible state chamber of pharmacists after examining your documents and requirements.