Service Finder
Licensing of dentists from third countries
Service Description
In order to work as a dentist in Germany, you need a license to practice. Approbation is the state license to practice the profession. The license to practice is necessary because the profession is regulated in Germany. This means that you are not allowed to work independently as a dentist without a license to practice.
You can also obtain a license to practice in Germany with a professional qualification from a so-called third country. Third countries are all countries that do not belong to the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
You will be granted a license to practice by the competent authority if your dental training is equivalent to German training. Equivalence is checked in the recognition procedure.
You must also meet other requirements to be granted a license to practice. For example, you must be in good health and have the necessary language skills.
If your professional qualification comes from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, other regulations apply.
You can also apply for the procedure from abroad.
Process flow
Application
You submit an application for a license to practice as a dentist to the competent authority. The competent authority will check whether your training is equivalent to German training and whether all other requirements have been met. Approval can only be granted if your training from a third country is equivalent to German training.
Examination of equivalence
The competent authority will compare your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification as a dentist. The competent authority will check 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.
Possible results of the examination
If your professional qualification is equivalent, your foreign professional qualification will be recognized. The authority can confirm the result in writing. You must still meet the other requirements and provide proof of your language skills. You will then be granted a license to practice as a dentist.
If the competent authority identifies significant differences, you can compensate for the differences through your professional practice and other knowledge and skills (lifelong learning). You must provide evidence of your professional experience. Knowledge and skills must be certified by an authority in your country of origin.
However, this knowledge may not be sufficient. You will then not be able to compensate for the major differences. Your foreign professional qualification will then not be recognized.
The competent authority will inform you in writing of the significant differences and why you cannot compensate for the significant differences through your professional experience. The decision of the competent authority will also state the level of your training and the level required in Germany. You will then not be allowed to work as a dentist. However, the competent authority will offer you the opportunity to take a knowledge test. If you successfully pass the knowledge test (and meet all other requirements), you will receive your license to practice.
Knowledge test
If your professional qualification is not equivalent and you cannot compensate for the differences, you can take a knowledge test. The knowledge test is based on the final examination as a dentist in Germany. The content and exact procedure of the examination are regulated by law. If you pass the knowledge test, you will be granted a license to practice as a dentist. You must also meet the other requirements and prove your language skills.
Who should I contact?
Please contact the Thuringian State Administration Office.
Requirements
- You have a professional qualification as a dentist from a third country.
- You are medically fit to work as a dentist.
- You are reliable and worthy of working as a dentist and have no criminal record.
- You have the necessary knowledge of German for the job. These are general language skills at level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and medical language skills at level C1.
Which documents are required?
The responsible office will tell you which documents you need to submit. Important documents are generally
- Proof of identity (officially certified copy of identity card or passport)
- German-language CV in tabular form with your education and professional activities
- officially certified copy of your training certificate
- Proof of the content of your training:
List of subjects and training hours that you have completed - Certificate that you are authorized to work as a dentist in your country of training
- Proof of your relevant professional experience as a dentist
- Criminal record extract or certificate of good conduct from your country of origin as proof of your worthiness and reliability (this proof must not be more than 3 months old at the time of application)
- Medical certificate of medical fitness (The certificate can be from an authority in your country of training. The certificate must not be older than 3 months at the time of application).
- Declaration that you have not yet submitted an application for a license to practice in Germany
- Certificate of registration or declaration that you wish to work in the country where you are submitting the application
The competent authority will tell you which documents you need to submit in the original or as a copy.
If your documents are not in German, you must submit German translations of your documents. The translations must be made by translators who are publicly appointed or authorized.
What are the fees?
The procedure is subject to a fee. The responsible office will inform you of the costs. The costs generally depend on the the time and effort required for processing.
The costs for issuing a license to practice amount to at least 320.00 euros.
Additional costs may be incurred (e.g. for translations, certifications and any expert opinions). These costs vary from case to case.
What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?
None.
Sometimes documents are still missing from the procedure. The responsible office will then inform you by when you must submit the documents. This may prolong the procedure.
Processing duration
The responsible office will confirm that your application and documents have been received after a maximum of one month. The competent office will inform you if any documents are missing.
If the documents are complete, the procedure will take a maximum of 4 months.
Legal basis
Applications / forms
You can take legal action against the decision of the competent authority. The decision will then be reviewed. Details can be found in the information on legal remedies at the end of your decision. We recommend that you first speak to the responsible office before taking legal action against the decision.
What else should I know?
- Proof of language skills
General German language skills at level B2 are a prerequisite for licensure. You can also submit the required language certificate during the licensing procedure. You must also take a medical language test at level C1 during the licensing procedure.
- Professional license
Before taking the knowledge test, you can apply for a temporary professional license. With a professional permit, you may also work without a license (under the supervision of a dentist with a license). You must provide proof of language skills at level B2 and pass a specialist language test at level C1. The professional license is usually valid for 2 years. Your competent office will inform you about this.
- Notification of equivalence
In the licensing procedure, the equivalence of your training is checked (recognition procedure). You can apply for a separate decision on the result of the examination.
- Electronic application
You can also submit your application electronically.
- Procedure for ethnic German repatriates
As a late repatriate, you can go through the recognition procedure either in accordance with the law mentioned here or in accordance with the Federal Expellees Act. You can decide for yourself. Your responsible office will advise you on this.
Author
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.
Technically approved by
Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training
(forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Health for approval)
Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Thüringen (Linie6PLus)
Start your request directly online:
Competent Authority
Thüringer Landesverwaltungsamt - Berufe des Gesundheitswesens, Landesprüfungsamt - Referat 720
Postal address
99423 Weimar
Telephone
+49 361 57332-1356Transport connection
Parking spaces
Tiefgarage Atrium,
Number: 840
Fees: yes
Building access
Further Authorities
Address
99423 Weimar
