Apply for an approbation to practise as a psychotherapist (EU/EEA/Switzerland)

Psychotherapists diagnose and treat mental and psychosomatic disorders with disease value in people using scientifically recognised psychotherapeutic procedures.

In order to be able to work in Germany as a psychotherapist without restriction, you need to have a licence to practise. Approbation is the state licence to practice the profession. Approbation is necessary because the profession is regulated in Germany. This means that you are not allowed to work independently as a psychotherapist without an Approbation.

In the recognition process, the competent authority first checks whether your professional qualification in your country entitles you to immediate access to the profession of psychotherapist.

In addition, the competent authority compares your foreign professional qualification with the German professional qualification and checks its equivalence. The equivalence of the professional qualification is an important prerequisite for the granting of the license to practice medicine.

In addition to the equivalence of the professional qualification, you must also fulfill further requirements for the granting of the license. Further requirements are, for example, sufficient knowledge of German and medical fitness.

You can also apply for the procedure from abroad.

Procedure
1. application
You submit an application for a license to practice as a psychotherapist to the competent authority. The competent authority will then check whether your training corresponds to the German training and whether all other requirements have been met.

2. verification of equivalence
The competent authority compares your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification. The competent authority will check whether your professional qualification is equivalent. The professional qualification is equivalent if there are no significant differences between your foreign professional qualification and the German professional qualification.

3. possible results of the test
If your professional qualification is equivalent, your foreign professional qualification will be recognized. The authority can confirm the result in writing. You must still meet the other requirements and provide proof of your language skills. You will then be granted a license to practice as a psychotherapist.
  • Are there significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? You may be able to compensate for the differences through your professional experience, other knowledge or skills (lifelong learning). You must provide evidence of your professional experience. Knowledge and skills must be certified by an authority in the country in which you acquired the knowledge or skills.
  • However, it may be that the significant differences cannot be compensated for by this knowledge. The competent body will tell you the main differences and why you cannot compensate for the main differences with your professional experience.
The decision of the competent authority also states the level of your training and what level is required in Germany. You are then not allowed to work as a psychotherapist in Germany.

4. compensatory measures
If your professional qualification is not equivalent and you cannot compensate for the differences, you can take an aptitude test or an adaptation period. The aptitude test examines the main differences in your professional qualification. The aptitude test is an oral and practical examination. If you pass the aptitude test or the adaptation period and meet all other requirements, you will be licensed as a psychotherapist.

You can also access this service online

Online processing

Prerequisites

  • Psychotherapeutic training completed in the EU/EEA/Switzerland that is equivalent to German training or an equivalent level of knowledge.
    In the event of substantial differences between the training courses which cannot be compensated for by relevant professional experience, an aptitude test must be taken or an adaptation course must be attended.
  • Health fitness
  • Proof of reliability and worthiness for the practice of the psychotherapeutic profession
  • Sufficient knowledge of German level B 2
  • Technical language test
  • Proof of competence

Documents required

  • Application for the granting of the licence to practise medicine in the case of training in the European Union (EU)
    Online or you can submit the (paper) application in writing by post.
  • Proof of responsibility for the Land of Berlin
    (e.g. confirmation of employment, proof of habitual residence in the Land of Berlin/
    main residence if applicable, applications for vacancies in the Land of Berlin, invitations to interviews).
  • Curriculum vitae in tabular form with signature and date
  • Proof of identity (valid identity card or passport)
  • Certificate of birth
    in the event of a change of name, e.g. due to marriage, also this document
  • Certificate of good conduct for submission to an authority
    To verify personal reliability, information from the Federal Central Register (certificate of good conduct) is required for submission to an authority (document type O).
    The information must not be older than three months.
  • Certificate of Good Conduct/Certificate of Clearance of Offences
    of the police or judicial authorities of the home country and, if applicable, of the country of study.
    (not older than 3 months if presented)
  • Certificate of good conduct/clearance certificate (Certificate of good standing)
    of the competent authority of the country in which the profession was practised
    (not older than 3 months if presented)
  • Medical certificate from a doctor licensed in Germany
    (not older than 3 months if presented)
  • Evidence of completed training (European Union)
    (see checklist for persons with EU education)
  • Certificate B 2 on knowledge of the German language
    (from telc, TestDaF or Goethe-Institut - not older than 3 years).
    It is not necessary to submit the language certificates at the time of application.
  • Specialist language test (Berlin Chamber of Psychotherapists)
    It is not necessary to submit the language certificates at the time of application.
  • Doctoral certificate (if available)
  • Official certification of copies
    If copies are submitted, they must be officially certified. In the case of copies without official certification, the simultaneous submission of the originals is required.

Forms

Fees

EUR 210.00

Legal basis

Average time to process request

approx. 3-4 months, if all documents are complete

More information

Notes on responsibility

Approbation is only granted by the Berlin State Office for Health and Social Affairs.

Your point of contact

Do it online

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