Social Authority

Apply for permission to practice medicine

Prerequisites

• You are at least 25 years old.
• You have at least a secondary school certificate or another equivalent school qualification.
• You are physically and mentally fit to practice medicine and have the necessary reliability.
• An inspection does not establish that your practice of medicine would pose a risk to the health of the public or to the patients who visit you.
• You have your primary or sole residence in Hamburg or a workplace in Hamburg for which permission is required under the Heilpraktikergesetz (Heilpraktikergesetz).

Documents required

• Identity card or passport in conjunction with a current registration certificate
• Tabular CV
• Proof of successful school completion
• If there is no Hamburg residence:
  • Proof of a suitable practice location, for example
  • Employment contract for a binding employment relationship with a regulated working time of at least 19 hours per week or
  • Rental agreement with a regulated rental scope of at least 19 hours per week for commercial premises or
  • Sublease agreement with a regulated rental scope of at least 19 hours per week for commercial premises in conjunction with the consent of the owner

You only need to submit these documents if they are requested from you as part of the application process:

• medical certificate confirming health suitability to practice medicine
• Information from the Federal Central Register (document type 0)

Please note

Deadlines

From July 1st to December 31st, the written examination takes place on the 3rd Wednesday in March of the following year. From January 1st to June 30th, the written examination takes place on the 2nd Wednesday in October.

Procedure

• You submit your application to the responsible authority via the provided online service and attach all necessary documents.
• The responsible authority will examine your application and request any missing documents or information from you.

Processing time

If you have submitted an application for a license under the German Alternative Medicine Practitioners Act (Heilpraktikergesetz), the responsible authority will process it promptly. Please note that there is a waiting period of several weeks between the application and the invitation to review.

Fees

Fees are charged for issuing the permit. Additional costs are incurred for conducting the examinations. You can find the fees on the State Examination Office's website.

Legal remedies

Contradiction


administrative court action

Legal basis

Alternative Medicine Practitioners Act (HeilprG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/heilprg/BJNR002510939.html


First implementing regulation to the law on the professional practice of medicine without a license (HeilprGDV 1)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/heilprgdv_1/BJNR002590939.html


Guidelines for the examination of alternative practitioners https://www.bundesanzeiger.de/pub/publication/d6Pk1lbZta8EPCulJuE?0=null