Point of single contact for professional recognition, psychotherapy

Prerequisites

It is checked whether an equivalence between the submitted foreign training and the local training can be recognized. The documents listed below must be submitted for this. If necessary, a certified copy and a translation of these must be submitted. The content of the submitted training is then compared with the training in Hamburg. If this results in significant differences or deficits, a knowledge test before the state examination office is required, otherwise equivalence is recognized.

To check equivalence and to process an application for a license to practice medicine, the following documents (in the original or certified copy and, if necessary, translated) must be submitted:

1. Application with a declaration of pending criminal and investigative proceedings
2. Short, complete résumé with date and signature (including a list of the professional career)
3. birth certificate ,
in the case of married persons, also the marriage certificate or an extract from the family book
4. Proof of Identity
e.g. identity card, passport, travel document
5. Official certificate of good conduct of document type 0 ,
which must not be older than three months at the time the license is granted
6. Medical certificate
7. Proof of training (s)
Proof of entitlement to exercise the profession of psychotherapist in your home country without restrictions, issued by the competent authorities there (e.g. diploma).
8. Overview of subjects and hours (per semester)
which shows the subjects and hours actually taught as well as the hours of practical training and the content of the final state examination.
9. Professional license certificates (if applicable) from other countries (worldwide).
10. Professional permits issued so far (if applicable)
in the Federal Republic of Germany.
11. Proof of previous employment (if applicable)
12. Evidence of specialist training (if applicable)
13. Proof of German language skills (according to the Common European Framework of Reference (GER) of the Council of Europe)
- In general: Proof by submitting a certificate that an examination has been passed at least at level C1, or alternatively by means of a personal interview
14. Proof of employment / declaration of intent

Documents required

Documents to be submitted (in the original or certified copy and, if necessary, translated):
1. Application with a declaration of pending criminal and investigative proceedings
2. Short, complete résumé with date and signature (including a list of the professional career)
3. birth certificate,
in the case of married persons, also the marriage certificate or an extract from the family book
4. Proof of Identity
e.g. identity card, passport, travel document
5. Official certificate of good conduct of document type 0,
which must not be older than three months at the time the license is granted
6. Medical certificate
7. Proof of training (s)
Proof of entitlement to exercise the profession of psychotherapist in your home country without restrictions, issued by the competent authorities there (e.g. diploma).
8. Overview of subjects and hours (per semester)
which shows the subjects and hours actually taught as well as the hours of practical training and the content of the final state examination.
9. Professional license certificates (if applicable)
other countries (worldwide).
10. Professional permits issued so far (if applicable)
in the Federal Republic of Germany.
11. Proof of previous employment (if applicable)
12. Evidence of specialist training (if applicable)
13. Proof of German language skills (according to the Common European Framework of Reference (GER) of the Council of Europe)
General: Proof by submitting a certificate of a passed exam at least at level C1, or alternatively by a personal interview.
14. Proof of employment / declaration of intent

Please note

Official documents that have been drawn up outside of Germany must be confirmed by an apostille or legalization. Information on this at: http://www.konsularinfo.diplo.de/Vertretung/konsularinfo/de/05/Urkundenverkehr__Allgemein/Urkundenverkehr.html . Foreign certificates must be submitted with certified translations by state-sworn translators.

Processing time

The duration of the procedure depends on the individual case. As a rule, a request for information from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) in Bonn is required for training in so-called third countries.

Fees

An administration fee of EUR 120.00 - EUR 850.00 is currently charged for processing an application for a license to practice medicine.

Payment methods available

• Bill

Legal basis

• Psychotherapist Act


• Licensing regulations for psychotherapists