Apply for permission to practice the veterinary profession on a temporary basis

Prerequisites

In order to obtain a permit to practice the veterinary profession temporarily,

• you must provide evidence of completed training for the veterinary profession
• you must not have been guilty of conduct that renders you unworthy or unreliable to practice the veterinary profession
• you must not be unsuitable for the exercise of the veterinary profession in terms of health
• you must have the German language skills required for the job at level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and
• you need proof of a specific job.

Documents required

The following documents must be submitted:

• informal application for permission to practice the veterinary profession temporarily,
• Proof of citizenship (certified copy of ID card, passport or proof of identity),
• Proof of professional qualification (veterinary diploma, test certificate or other veterinary qualification/evidence of training),
• Signed curriculum vitae in tabular form: up-to-date, brief and with a detailed, chronologically complete presentation of the training path and professional career
• Certificate from the future employer about the possibility of employment and justification (e.g. employment contract, needs assessment)
• Certificate of good conduct to be presented to an authority as proof of impunity (this proof may not be more than 3 months old when the application is submitted.)
• Medical certificate stating that your health is suitable for practicing the veterinary profession
  • No medical certificate is required.
  • This proof may not be more than 3 months old at the time of application.

The documents can be sent to the competent authority without any specific form requirements.

Note: You must enclose foreign-language documents in German translation. The translation must be carried out by an officially sworn document interpreter. Diplomas and certificates of veterinary training must be submitted in certified translations.

Please note

If you cannot be granted a license or permission to practice the veterinary profession temporarily, BJV will check whether the practice of certain veterinary activities can still be approved. In this case, the authority will contact you. Veterinary activity before permission to temporarily practice the veterinary profession has been granted can lead to criminal prosecution.

Deadlines

A decision will be made on the application within 3 months after submission of the complete documents.

Procedure

• For a permit to practice the veterinary profession temporarily, you must submit an application in writing or electronically to the competent authority of the federal state in which the veterinary profession is to be practiced. In Hamburg, this is the Authority for Justice and Consumer Protection (BJV).
• After examining your documents, the BJV decides on the permit.

Fees

The granting of a temporary professional license is subject to a fee and is charged according to the fee schedule for public consumer protection (GebOöV). The BJV will inform you about the costs.


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

Legal remedies

contradiction

Legal basis

• Section 2 paragraph 2 of the Federal Veterinary Code (BTÄO)


• § 3 Federal Veterinary Regulations (BTÄO)


• § 11 Federal Veterinary Regulations (BTÄO)

If you have completed training as a veterinarian, but do not have a license to practice medicine and only want to work as a veterinarian temporarily, you need a permit. The permit entitles you to use the professional title "veterinarian" or "veterinarian". Permission can be restricted to certain activities and employment positions. It may only be revocable and may only be issued for a total duration of the veterinary activity of no more than 4 years. An extension beyond the 4 years is possible under certain conditions.