Apply for a license to practice as a psychotherapist with professional qualifications from third countries

Prerequisites

• You have a professional qualification as a psychotherapist from a third country.
• You want to work as a psychotherapist in Germany.
• Personal suitability: You are reliable to work as a psychotherapist and have no criminal record.
• Medical suitability: You can work mentally and physically as a psychotherapist.
• You have German language skills at the required language level. This is usually general language skills at level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and technical language skills at level C2.

Documents required

The competent authority will inform you about which documents you have to submit. Important documents are generally:

• Proof of identity (ID card or passport)
• Marriage certificate (if your name has changed through marriage)
• CV
• Proof of your professional qualifications (e.g. certificates, professional certificate)
• Evidence of the content and duration of your training (e.g. Diploma Supplement, Transcript of Records)
• Evidence of your relevant professional experience as a psychotherapist (e.g. job references)
• Information on whether you have already applied for a license to practice medicine in Germany
• You don't live or work in Germany yet? Then you may have to prove that you want to work in Germany in this profession. Evidence is e.g. B. Job applications, invitations to interviews, personal statement

You usually submit these documents later. The competent authority will inform you when you should hand in the documents:

• Proof of your personal suitability: criminal record extract or certificate of good conduct from your country of origin. The proof may not be more than 3 months old at the time of application.
• Proof of your health suitability: Medical certificate. The proof may not be more than 3 months old at the time of application.
• Proof of your knowledge of German: language certificate.
• For the approbation you need general German language skills at level B2. You can also submit the required language certificate during the approval process. During the approval process, you must also take a technical language test at level C2.

The competent authority will tell you which documents you have to submit as a simple copy, a certified copy or the original.
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.

Please note

no

Deadlines

no

Procedure

application
The application is made online. You submit an application for a license to practice as a psychotherapist to the competent authority.
The competent authority then checks whether your training corresponds to the German training and whether all other requirements are met. Approval can only be granted if your foreign training is equivalent to the German training.

equivalence test
The competent authority compares your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification. 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.

Possible results of the test
If your professional qualification is equivalent, your foreign professional qualification will be recognised. The authority can confirm the result in writing. You still have to meet the other requirements and prove your language skills. Then you will be granted the license to practice as a psychotherapist.
Are there significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? You may be able to compensate for the differences through your work experience, other knowledge or skills (lifelong learning). You must provide evidence of professional experience. Knowledge and skills must be certified by an authority in 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. You are then not allowed to work as a psychotherapist in Germany.
The competent body will tell you the main differences and why you cannot compensate for the main differences through your professional practice. The notice from the competent authority also states the level of your training and what level is required in Germany.

compensatory measures
You can make a compensatory measure to compensate for the significant differences.
There are various compensation measures:
Adjustment course: The adjustment course lasts a maximum of three years.
Aptitude test: The aptitude test only examines those areas in which significant differences were found. The aptitude test is an oral-practical case test.

You can choose between an adaptation course or an aptitude test.
If you successfully complete the compensatory measure and meet all other requirements, you will be licensed to practice as a psychotherapist.

Processing time

1 - 2 weeks if all documents are available.

Fees

The competent authority will inform you about the costs. The costs generally depend on the effort involved in processing.


Additional costs may also arise (e.g. for translations or certifications). These costs vary from person to person.

Legal remedies

An objection to a negative decision can be raised within one month after notification to the office specified in the letterhead.

Legal basis

§ 2 paragraph 1 Psychotherapists Act (PsychThG)

https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/psychthg_2020/__2.html


§ 12 Psychotherapists Act (PsychThG)

https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/psychthg_2020/__12.html

The profession of psychotherapist is regulated in Germany. This means: In order to be able to work as a psychotherapist in Germany without restrictions, you need a license to practice medicine. Approbation is state approval for the profession. This means that you are not allowed to work independently as a psychotherapist without a license to practice medicine.
You can also obtain a license to practice medicine in Germany with a professional qualification from a so-called third country. Third countries are all countries that do not belong to the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. In order to receive the license to practice medicine, you must have your foreign professional qualification recognized.
In the recognition procedure, the competent authority compares your professional qualification with the German professional qualification and checks the equivalence. The equivalence of the professional qualification is an important prerequisite for the granting of the license to practice medicine. In addition to the equivalence of the professional qualification, you must also meet other prerequisites for the granting of the license. Other requirements are e.g. B. sufficient German language skills and health suitability.
If your professional qualification comes from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, different regulations apply.
You can also apply for the procedure from abroad.