Approbation (EU/EWR/Schweiz) als Psychotherapeut/in beantragen at the location Landesprüfungsamt für Gesundheitsberufe (Anerkennung ausländischer Abschlüsse)

Information on the address of this location

Haus A

Payment options

• Eine Bezahlung ist nicht vorgesehen

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.

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 suitability
• Proof of reliability and worthiness for the practice of the psychotherapeutic profession
• Sufficient knowledge of German level B 2
• Specialist language test
• Proof of responsibility

Documents required

• Application for a license to practice medicine for 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 state of Berlin / main residence, applications for vacancies in the state of Berlin, invitations to job interviews)
• Curriculum vitae in tabular form with signature and date
• Proof of identity (valid identity card or passport)
• Birth certificate
  
  in the event of a change of name, e.g. due to marriage, also this document
• Certificate of good conduct for presentation 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 repute/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)
• Proof of completed training (European Union)
  
  (see checklist for persons with EU training)
• 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 proof of language proficiency 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

• Application for a license to practice medicine for training in the European Union (EU)
• Medical certificate from a doctor licensed in Germany
• Checklist: Proof of completed training (European Union)
• Specialist language test (Berlin Chamber of Psychotherapists)

Fees

EUR 210.00

Legal basis

• Psychotherapists Act (PsychThG) § 1 et seqq.
• Licensing regulations for psychotherapists (PschyThApprO) §§ 59 et seqq.
• Ordinance on the Charging of Fees in the Health Care and Nursing Sector (GesPflGebO)

Average time to process request

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

More information

• Erläuterung Approbation und Ansprechpartnerinnen Ausbildung in der Europäischen Union (EU)
• Erläuterung Approbation und Ansprechpartnerinnen Ausbildung außerhalb der Europäischen Union (Drittstaat)
• Information on the recognition of foreign professional qualifications ("Recognition in Germany")
• Finanzielle Hilfe im Anerkennungsverfahren
• Öffentlich bestellte Übersetzerinnen und Übersetzer in Deutschland

Notes on responsibility

The license is only issued by the Berlin State Office for Health and Social Affairs.

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