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Apply for recognition of foreign professional qualifications (EU/EEA/Switzerland) as a surgical assistant
Operating theatre assistants care for patients before and after operations, prepare surgical units and assist during procedures.
The profession of surgical assistant is regulated in Germany. This means that in order to work as a surgical assistant in Germany, you need a state licence. With this licence, you can use the job title of surgical assistant and work in the profession.
If you have a professional qualification from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you can also obtain a state licence from the competent authority in Germany. In order to obtain the permit, you must have your foreign professional qualification recognised.
In the recognition procedure, the competent authority compares your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification and checks the equivalence. The equivalence of the professional qualification is an important prerequisite for the granting of a state licence.
In addition to the equivalence of the professional qualification, you must also fulfil other requirements for the licence to be issued. Further requirements are, for example, sufficient German language skills and health suitability.
If your professional qualification does not originate from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, other regulations apply.
You can also apply for the procedure from abroad.
Procedure
1. Application
You submit an application to the competent authority for authorisation to use the professional title of surgical assistant.
2. Verification of equivalence
The competent authority will then check whether you fulfil all the requirements. An important requirement is the equivalence of your professional qualification. The competent body will compare your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification as a surgical assistant. 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 examination
If your professional qualification is equivalent, your foreign professional qualification will be recognised. The competent authority can confirm the result in writing. You must still fulfil the other requirements. You will then be authorised to use the professional title of surgical assistant.
There are various compensatory measures:
If you successfully complete the compensatory measure and fulfil all other requirements, you will receive permission to use the job title of surgical assistant.
The profession of surgical assistant is regulated in Germany. This means that in order to work as a surgical assistant in Germany, you need a state licence. With this licence, you can use the job title of surgical assistant and work in the profession.
If you have a professional qualification from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you can also obtain a state licence from the competent authority in Germany. In order to obtain the permit, you must have your foreign professional qualification recognised.
In the recognition procedure, the competent authority compares your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification and checks the equivalence. The equivalence of the professional qualification is an important prerequisite for the granting of a state licence.
In addition to the equivalence of the professional qualification, you must also fulfil other requirements for the licence to be issued. Further requirements are, for example, sufficient German language skills and health suitability.
If your professional qualification does not originate from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, other regulations apply.
You can also apply for the procedure from abroad.
Procedure
1. Application
You submit an application to the competent authority for authorisation to use the professional title of surgical assistant.
2. Verification of equivalence
The competent authority will then check whether you fulfil all the requirements. An important requirement is the equivalence of your professional qualification. The competent body will compare your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification as a surgical assistant. 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 examination
If your professional qualification is equivalent, your foreign professional qualification will be recognised. The competent authority can confirm the result in writing. You must still fulfil the other requirements. You will then be authorised to use the professional title of surgical assistant.
- Are there any 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 essential differences cannot be compensated for by this knowledge. In this case, your foreign professional qualification will not be recognised. You will then not be allowed to work as an operating theatre assistant in Germany.
- However, the competent authority will tell you the main differences and why you cannot compensate for the main differences with your professional experience. In most cases, you can take a compensatory measure. This will allow you to compensate for the main differences.
There are various compensatory measures:
- Adaptation course: The adaptation course lasts a maximum of three years.
- Aptitude test: In the aptitude test, only those areas in which significant differences have been identified are tested. The aptitude test consists of a practical examination combined with an interview.
If you successfully complete the compensatory measure and fulfil all other requirements, you will receive permission to use the job title of surgical assistant.
You can also access this service online
Online processing
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Do it online now
You do not need to register for online processing and can submit the application directly online.
Prerequisites
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Training in the healthcare profession completed in the EU/EEA/Switzerland that is equivalent to German training or an equivalent level of knowledge
The equivalence of the level of knowledge may have to be proven by an examination or an adaptation course - Health suitability
- Proof of good repute and authorisation to practise the healthcare profession
- Sufficient knowledge of German at level B 2
- Proof of responsibility
Documents required
- Application for authorisation to use the professional title for training in the European Union (EU)
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Proof of responsibility for the state 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
- Birth certificate and, if applicable, name change certificates
- Proof of identity (valid identity card or passport)
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Certificate of good conduct for submission to an authority
To check personal reliability, information from the Federal Central Criminal 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 no criminal record
from the police or judicial authorities of the home country or study country (not older than 3 months on presentation) -
Certificate of good standing from the country of origin
the competent authority of the country in which the profession was practised (not older than 3 months on presentation) -
Medical certificate from a doctor authorised to practice in Germany
(on presentation not older than 3 months) -
Documents on the training programme and training qualification with German translation
(see checklist for the granting of a licence to use the professional title for medical professions for training in an EU Member State) -
Certificate B 2 on knowledge of the German language
Zertifikat vom Goetheinstitut, telc (telc Zertifikate serbischer Sprachschulen werden ab dem 01.09.2022 nicht mehr anerkannt), TestDaf oder ECL zertifizierten Sprachschule; nicht älter als 3 Jahre. Hinweis: Die vorgelegten Sprachnachweise werden auf Echtheit und Richtigkeit überprüft.
Die Vorlage der Sprachnachweise bereits bei Antragstellung ist nicht erforderlich. -
Amtliche Beglaubigung von Kopien
Werden Kopien eingereicht, müssen diese amtlich beglaubigt sein. Bei Kopien ohne amtliche Beglaubigung ist die gleichzeitige Vorlage der Originale erforderlich.
Forms
Fees
EUR 164.00
Legal basis
Average time to process request
approx. 3-4 months if all documents are complete
More information
- Explanations on using the professional title and contact persons Training in the European Union (EU)
- Explanation of licence to practise and contact persons Training outside the European Union (third country)
- Information on the recognition of foreign professional qualifications (‘Recognition in Germany’)
- Financial assistance in the recognition procedure
- Publicly appointed translators in Germany
Notes on responsibility
Authorisation to use the professional title is only granted by the Berlin State Office for Health and Social Affairs.