Apply for recognition of foreign professional qualifications as a health inspector / hygiene inspector

Health supervisors, hygiene inspectors perform inspection and advisory tasks in the health administration, e.g. in the areas of infection control, disease prevention, environmental hygiene and traffic hygiene, hygiene in hospitals and other community facilities.

The profession of health inspector or hygiene controller is regulated in Germany. This means that in order to work as a health supervisor or hygiene inspector in Germany, you need a state permit. This permit allows you to use the professional title of health inspector or hygiene inspector and to work in the profession.

To obtain the permit, you must have your foreign professional qualification recognised.

In the recognition procedure, the competent body 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 the state licence. In addition to the equivalence of the professional qualification, you must also fulfil other requirements for the granting of the permit. Further requirements are, for example, sufficient German language skills and health suitability.

You can also apply for the procedure from abroad.
Procedure
1. Application
You apply to the competent authority for permission to use the professional title health inspector or hygiene inspector.

2. Equivalence check
The competent body will then check whether you meet all the requirements. One important requirement is the equivalence of your professional qualification. The competent body compares your professional qualification from abroad with your German professional qualification as a health inspector or hygiene inspector. 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 body can confirm the result to you in writing. You still have to meet the other requirements. You will then be granted permission to use the professional title of health inspector or hygiene inspector.
  • Are there any significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? Perhaps you can compensate for the differences through your professional practice, other knowledge or skills (lifelong learning). You have to prove your professional practice. Knowledge and skills must be certified by an authority of the state in which you acquired the knowledge or skills.
  • However, it may be that the essential differences cannot be compensated by this knowledge. In this case, your foreign professional qualification will not be recognised. You will then not be allowed to work as a health inspector or hygiene inspector in Germany.
  • However, the competent authority will tell you the essential differences and why you cannot compensate for the essential differences through your professional practice. In most cases, you can take a compensatory measure. This allows you to compensate for the essential differences.
4. Compensatory measures
There are various compensatory measures:
  • Adaptation course
  • Aptitude test
You can choose between an adaptation course or an aptitude test.

If you successfully complete the compensatory measure and meet all other requirements, you will receive permission to use the professional title of health inspector or hygiene inspector.

Prerequisites

  • Training completed abroad that is equivalent to German training or an equivalent level of knowledge
    The equivalence of the level of knowledge is to be proven, if necessary, by an examination or an adaptation course.
  • Health fitness
  • Proof of reliability and worthiness for the practice of the health profession
  • Sufficient knowledge of German level B 2
  • Proof of responsibility

Documents required

  • Application for permission to use the professional title
  • 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 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)
  • 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, if applicable, of the study country (if presented, not older than 3 months)
  • Certificate of good standing from the country of origin
    of the competent authority of the country in which the profession was practised (if presented, not older than 3 months)
  • Medical certificate from a doctor licensed in Germany
    (not older than 3 months if presented)
  • Documents on the training course and training qualification with German translation
    (see checklist for the granting of a permit to use the professional title for medical professions in the case of training in an EU member state or third country)
  • Certificate B 2 on knowledge of the German language
    Certificate from the Goethe Institute, telc (telc certificates from Serbian language schools will no longer be recognised after 01.09.2022), TestDaf or ECL certified language school; not older than 3 years. Note: The language certificates submitted will be checked for authenticity and accuracy.
    It is not necessary to submit the language certificates at the time of application.
  • 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.

Fees

EUR 164.00

Average time to process request

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

Hinweise zur Zuständigkeit

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

Für Sie zuständig