Social Authority

Apply for approval as a psychological psychotherapist

If you want to practice the profession of psychological psychotherapist in Germany without restrictions, you need state approval: the license to practice medicine.

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Professional permits, examinations and approbations

Detailed description

After successfully completing your training at a state-recognized training center for psychotherapy, you can be granted approval to practice as a psychological psychotherapist. Once you have been granted approval, you are entitled to practice the profession independently and under your own responsibility in Germany.

The license is granted for an unlimited period and is valid for the entire Federal Republic of Germany.

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • You have completed the required training and passed the state examination.
  • You have not been guilty of any conduct which would render you unworthy or unreliable to exercise your profession.
  • You are not unsuitable for the profession due to health reasons.
  • You have the knowledge of the German language required to carry out your professional activities.

Documents required

  • Proof of identity
  • Birth certificate or a current extract from the parents’ family register
  • if applicable, marriage certificate/registered civil partnership (proof in case of name change)
  • CV in tabular form
  • Extract from the Federal Central Register, which must not be issued earlier than one month before submission (document type O)
  • Certificate of the state examination for psychological psychotherapists
  • Statement as to whether criminal proceedings or a public prosecutor’s investigation are pending against you
  • Medical certificate, not older than one month, stating that you are not unfit for the profession due to health reasons

Please note

no

Deadlines

no

Procedure

You can apply for approval from the responsible state authority.

  • You submit the application for approval, including all required documents, to the responsible authority.
  • The responsible authority checks the completeness of the documents submitted and whether they can adequately demonstrate the legal requirements.
  • If evidence is missing or insufficient, the responsible authority will request it from you.
  • The responsible authority checks the approval requirements.
  • After successfully completing the examination, you will be issued with a certificate of approval either against acknowledgement of receipt or with a certificate of delivery.

Processing time

1 - 2 weeks

Fees

Depends on the respective administrative fee regulations of the state or on the fee regulations of the bodies responsible under state law.

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

§ 19 Training and Examination Regulations for Psychological Psychotherapists


https://www.buzer.de/gesetz/3737/a52471.htm

Links on hamburg.de

Address and contact information

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Keywords: psychotherapy Psychological psychotherapist

Last updated: 10.10.2026