Hamburg Veterinary Association

Recognition of professional qualifications, veterinary assistant (TMFA)

Prerequisites

Documents required

• application form from the responsible authority
• If there is no application form: an informal application
• proof of identity, for example passport or identity card
• Marriage certificate if your name has changed due to marriage
• CV
• Proof of training with comparable content to the teaching content of the veterinary assistant (TFA), for example certificates, professional certificate
• Proof of practical experience in a German veterinary practice, for example through employment references
• proof of radiation protection knowledge
• First aid course
• Proof of knowledge of the German language (B2)
• Evidence of your other qualifications, for example professional training, seminars
• Proof of intention to work: You may need to provide evidence that you intend to work in Germany.
• Information about an application for recognition that has already been submitted. Please state where you submitted the application.
• You no longer have all the necessary documents for the application? You can prove your professional qualifications, for example, through a professional interview or a work sample. This is called a qualification analysis.

The responsible authority will tell you which documents you must present in the original or submit as a copy. Some copies must be officially certified. We recommend that you do not send originals by post.

You must submit your documents in German. The translations must be done by officially appointed or authorized translators. Ask the responsible authority whether they also accept translations from abroad.

Please note

Work without recognition or with partial recognition

• You can work in the profession without recognition or with partial recognition. Partial recognition has advantages: the explanations in your notice help employers to better understand your professional qualifications. Partial recognition also helps you if you want to do further training, for example.

adaptation qualification

• If you have partial recognition, you can take an adaptation qualification. After successful participation, you will receive a certificate as proof. You can then submit a follow-up application for recognition. You submit this to the responsible authority along with the certificate and your other documents. If the professional qualification is then equivalent, you will receive recognition.

Deadlines

No.

Procedure

• Submit your application for recognition to the relevant authority.
• Attach all documents to the application.
• You can send the application by post to the responsible office. Do not send originals!
• You may be able to send the application by email. Ask your responsible authority beforehand. At a later point in the recognition process, you may need to submit the original documents or certified copies.
• The responsible authority receives the application. It will confirm to you within one month at the latest that the application has been received. Once the responsible authority has received all of the documents from you, it will process your application.
• The responsible body carries out an equivalence test: it compares your professional qualification with the German professional qualification. The responsible body takes into account your professional experience, other evidence of competence and qualifications.
• The recognition process takes a maximum of 3 months. At the end, the responsible authority will send you a notice with the result.
  • Recognition: Your professional qualification and the German professional qualification are equivalent. You also meet all other requirements. Your professional qualification is recognized. You have the same professional rights as a person with the German professional qualification.
  • Partial recognition: Part of your professional qualification is equivalent. There are significant differences in other parts. You cannot compensate for these differences with your professional experience and other knowledge of the profession. You will receive a notice that describes your professional qualification and the significant differences in detail. In most cases, you can take an adaptation qualification and then submit a follow-up application.
  • No recognition: Your professional qualification and the German professional qualification are not equivalent in any area. The differences are too great. You will not receive recognition.

Processing time

Usually four to six weeks. Can be extended in individual cases.

Fees

• You have to pay money for the procedure. The amount of the fee depends on the extent of the examination of the documents and is based on the fee schedule of the Hamburg Veterinary Chamber.


• The responsible authority will inform you of the exact costs.


• There may also be additional costs, for example for translations, certifications or adaptation qualifications


• It may also be possible to get costs reimbursed. For example, there is financial support. You apply for this when you live in Germany and before you submit the application.

Payment methods available

• Bill

Legal remedies

You can take legal action against the decision of the responsible authority. Details of this procedure can be found in the legal remedy instructions at the end of your decision. We recommend that you speak to an advice center first before you object or file a complaint.

Legal basis

Law on the Determination of the Equivalence of Professional Qualifications