Aktuelle Sprache: en
Recognition of foreign professional qualifications (third countries) as a specialised psychotherapist
The profession of specialised psychotherapist is regulated in Germany. This means that you need a licence if you want to use the title "specialist psychotherapist" for your specialisation in Berlin.
By training as a specialist psychotherapist, you have acquired a medical specialisation in addition to your qualification as a psychotherapist abroad. To work as a psychotherapist in Germany, you first need a licence to practise or a professional licence. In order to be able to work as a specialised psychotherapist in Germany, you must also apply for recognition of your further training as a specialised psychotherapist. This allows you to use the title "specialist psychotherapist" in your respective specialisation.
Note: You may only use the designation for your specialisation if there is a corresponding further training designation in Germany.
Procedure:
1. you submit your application and the required documents to the Berlin Chamber of Psychotherapists. If necessary, you will be asked to submit any missing documents.
2. The competent authority checks 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.
3.1 *If your qualification is recognised, you can work in the profession in Germany. You will receive a notification.
3.2 If deficits are found in the knowledge and special areas of law for psychotherapists, the equivalence of your qualification will not be certified. You will be notified of the differences in your professional qualification. You can then take a knowledge test to determine equivalence. *If you successfully pass the examination, you will receive permission to use the title "specialist psychotherapist" for your specialisation.
4 You can take legal action against the decision of the competent authority within one month (e.g. lodge an objection). We recommend that you first speak to the competent body before taking legal action against the decision.
By training as a specialist psychotherapist, you have acquired a medical specialisation in addition to your qualification as a psychotherapist abroad. To work as a psychotherapist in Germany, you first need a licence to practise or a professional licence. In order to be able to work as a specialised psychotherapist in Germany, you must also apply for recognition of your further training as a specialised psychotherapist. This allows you to use the title "specialist psychotherapist" in your respective specialisation.
Note: You may only use the designation for your specialisation if there is a corresponding further training designation in Germany.
Procedure:
1. you submit your application and the required documents to the Berlin Chamber of Psychotherapists. If necessary, you will be asked to submit any missing documents.
2. The competent authority checks 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.
3.1 *If your qualification is recognised, you can work in the profession in Germany. You will receive a notification.
3.2 If deficits are found in the knowledge and special areas of law for psychotherapists, the equivalence of your qualification will not be certified. You will be notified of the differences in your professional qualification. You can then take a knowledge test to determine equivalence. *If you successfully pass the examination, you will receive permission to use the title "specialist psychotherapist" for your specialisation.
4 You can take legal action against the decision of the competent authority within one month (e.g. lodge an objection). We recommend that you first speak to the competent body before taking legal action against the decision.
You can also access this service online
Online processing
-
Do it online now
You do not need to register for online processing and you can submit the application directly online.
Prerequisites
-
License to practice medicine/ approbation
You must already have a state licence to practise (Approbation) as a psychotherapist or a professional licence valid in Germany. -
Equivalence of your professional qualification
If your qualification is not automatically recognised, you must prove the equivalence of your professional qualification as a specialist psychotherapist.
Documents required
-
Application for recognition
You can submit an application online or informally in writing by post. -
Curriculum vitae
Curriculum vitae in tabular form with details of further education and professional experience completed -
Proof of identity
Identity card or passport -
License to practice medicine or professional permit
Proof of German licence to practise medicine or professional permit and proof of equivalent level of training -
Proof of qualifications
Continuing education certificates and certificates of professional practice -
Declaration on previous professional recognition procedures
Explanation of whether you have already submitted an application for recognition to another Chamber of Psychotherapists -
German translation
If your documents are not available in German, you must submit German translations of your documents. The translations must be done by translators who are publicly appointed or authorised.
Fees
EUR 280,00 to EUR 500,00 depending on the effort, further fees may arise
Legal basis
- Further training regulations for psychotherapists of the Berlin Chamber of Psychotherapists § 24
- Further training regulations of the Chamber for Psychological Psychotherapists and Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists in the State of Berlin § 17
- Berlin Health Professions Chamber Act (Bln HKG) § 56
- Schedule of Fees (Gebührenordnung) of the Berlin Chamber of Psychotherapists
- Fee schedule (Gebührenverzeichnis) of the Berlin Chamber of Psychotherapists
Average time to process request
approx. 3-4 months, if all documents are complete
More information
- Berlin Chamber of Psychotherapists
- Information on the recognition of foreign professional qualifications on the portal Recognition in Germany (Anerkennung in Deutschland)
- Information on the recognition of foreign professional qualifications (BQ-Portal)
- Financial assistance in the recognition procedure
- Publicly appointed translators in Germany
- Information on the Point of Single Contact Berlin
Notes on responsibility
The application for recognition of a foreign professional qualification as a specialist psychotherapist must be submitted to the Berlin Chamber of Psychotherapists.