You can apply for recognition of your specialist pharmacist qualification in Thuringia if you have a valid license to practice/profession and are a member of the Thuringian State Chamber of Pharmacists.

Procedure for EU/EEA/contracting states

If you have acquired your specialist pharmacist qualification in a member state of the European Union (member state), of the European Economic Area (EEA state) or in a state to which Germany and the European Union have granted a corresponding legal right (contracting state), you will receive recognition of your specialist pharmacist qualification on application if the equivalence of the level of further training is given. The equivalence of the level of further training is not given if there are substantial differences between your proven specialist pharmacist qualification and the German further training and these cannot be compensated for by corresponding professional practice or by knowledge, skills and competences acquired through lifelong learning and formally recognized as valid for this purpose. Substantial differences exist if the specialist pharmacist qualification you have demonstrated lacks essential knowledge, experience and skills, the acquisition of which is a prerequisite for the specialist pharmacist designation applied for.

If significant differences are found between your foreign specialist pharmacist qualification and the German further training, you have the option of taking an adaptation measure (aptitude test or adaptation course) to compensate for the deficits found. The State Chamber of Pharmacists will inform you of the deficits identified in its decision. It will also inform you of the reasons why the deficits cannot be compensated for by your professional practice or by knowledge, skills and competences acquired through lifelong learning. To compensate for the deficits identified, you can choose between an adaptation course and an aptitude test:

• Adaptation course:

The adaptation course is conducted as part of regular continuing education. The content and duration of the adaptation course depend on the significant differences identified between your foreign specialist pharmacist qualification and the German further training and are determined on a case-by-case basis by the responsible chamber of pharmacists. After completing the adaptation course, you will receive recognition of your foreign specialist pharmacist qualification.

• Qualifying examination:

An aptitude test is a so-called deficit test. Therefore, only the deficits identified by the State Chamber of Pharmacists are examined in the aptitude test. The State Chamber of Pharmacists will make you an offer for participation in a qualifying examination. The date for the aptitude test will be chosen in such a way that you have the opportunity to take the aptitude test no later than 6 months after your decision to take it. After passing the qualifying examination, you will receive, upon application, recognition of the designation provided for under the applicable continuing education regulations.

If you have acquired your specialist pharmacist qualification in a third country and this has already been recognized in another EU/EEA/contracting state and the other EU/EEA/contracting state certifies that you have 3 years of professional experience in the requested specialty in the territory of the issuing EU/EEA/contracting state, you will receive, upon application, recognition of the designation provided for under the valid continuing education regulations.

Procedure for degrees from non-EU/EEA/contracting state (third country)

If you have obtained your specialist pharmacist qualification in a third country, your specialist pharmacist qualification will be reviewed individually. The responsible chamber of pharmacists will check the equivalence of your foreign specialist pharmacist qualification with the German specialist pharmacist qualification. If your specialist pharmacist qualification is equivalent to the German specialist pharmacist qualification, you will receive recognition of the designation provided for in the valid continuing education regulations.

If significant differences are identified that cannot be compensated for by professional practice or by knowledge, skills and competencies acquired through lifelong learning, you have the option of taking an adaptation measure (aptitude test or adaptation course) to compensate for the identified deficits. The State Chamber of Pharmacists will inform you of the deficits identified in its decision. It will also inform you of the reasons why the deficits cannot be compensated for by your professional practice or by knowledge, skills and competences acquired through lifelong learning. To compensate for the deficits identified, you can choose between an adaptation course and an aptitude test. The same conditions apply here as for the completion of adaptation measures (adaptation course or aptitude test), which were shown under "Procedure for EU/EEA/contracting states".

More detailed information can be obtained from the relevant state chamber of pharmacy.

As of January 18, 2016, the application procedure can also be carried out electronically via the technical systems of the point of single contact.

• Single point of contact
• Central Office for Foreign Education
• Certificate evaluation for foreign university qualifications
• Recognition in Germany" portal