Application

You submit an application for permission to use the professional title "midwife" to the competent authority.

You can submit an application if you do not yet live in Germany. You can hand in the application with the documents at the competent office or send it by mail. Do not send originals. Sometimes you can send the application electronically. The competent office will inform you.

Checking the equivalence

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 with the German professional qualification as a midwife. The professional qualification is equivalent if there are no significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification.

Note: If your professional qualification is automatically recognized, the competent body does not conduct an equivalence test. This is a different procedure. The competent body will inform you.

Possible results of the equivalence test

If your foreign professional qualification is equivalent, it will be recognized. The competent body can confirm the result to you in writing. You still have to fulfill the other requirements. Then you will receive permission to use the professional title "midwife".

Are there any significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? Maybe you can compensate the differences by your professional experience, other knowledge or skills (lifelong learning). 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 substantial differences cannot be compensated by your work experience, knowledge or skills. In this case, the competent body will tell you the essential differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification and why you cannot compensate for these essential differences with your professional experience or knowledge and skills.

The competent body will also tell you compensatory measures you can take to make up for the substantial differences.
If you decide not to take compensatory measures, your professional qualification will not be recognized and you will not be allowed to work as a midwife in Germany.

Compensatory measures

There are different compensatory measures:

• Adaptation course: the adaptation course lasts a maximum of three years.
• Aptitude test: The aptitude test consists of a practical test, which is combined with an examination interview.
• Knowledge examination for professional qualifications from a third country: The knowledge examination tests your knowledge in specific subjects and areas. The knowledge examination comprises an oral and a practical part.

The competent authority will tell you whether you have to take one or more compensatory measures and whether you can choose which of the compensatory measures you take. This depends on what level your training is.

If you successfully complete the compensatory measure and meet all other requirements, you will receive permission to use the professional title "midwife".