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Permission to use the professional title of podiatrist in the case of professional qualification from third countries Issuance

Service Description

The profession of podiatrist is regulated in Germany. This means: In order to work as a podiatrist in Germany, you need a state permit. With this permit, you may use the professional title "podiatrist" and work in the profession.

Even with a professional qualification from a so-called third country, you can obtain the state permit from the competent authority in Germany. Third countries are all countries that do not belong to the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

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

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 permit.

In addition to the equivalence of the professional qualification, you must fulfill other requirements for the issuance of the permit. Further requirements are, for example, sufficient German language skills and health suitability.

If your professional qualification originates from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, other regulations apply.

You can also submit the application for the procedure from abroad.

Process flow

Application

You submit an application for permission to use the professional title "podiatrist" to the competent body. You can hand in the application with the documents to the competent body or send it by mail. Do not send originals. Sometimes you can send the application electronically. The competent body 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 from abroad with the German professional qualification as a podiatrist. 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 competent body can confirm the result to you in writing. You still have to fulfill the other requirements. Then you will receive the permission to use the professional title "podiatrist".

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 the 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. Then your foreign professional qualification will not be recognized. You are then not allowed to work as a podiatrist in Germany.

However, the competent body will tell you the essential differences and why you cannot compensate for the essential differences through your professional practice.

In most cases, you can make a compensatory measure. This will allow you to compensate for the substantial differences.


Compensatory measures

There are several compensatory measures:

  • Adaptation course: the adaptation course lasts a maximum of three years.
  • Knowledge examination: The knowledge examination tests your knowledge in specific subjects and areas. The knowledge examination includes an oral and practical part.

You can choose between an adaptation course or a knowledge test.

If you successfully complete the adjustment course and meet all other requirements, you will receive permission to use the professional title "podiatrist".

Who should I contact?

Please contact the Thuringian State Administration Office.

Requirements

  • You have a professional qualification as a podiatrist from a third country.
  • You want to work as a podiatrist in Germany.
  • Personal suitability: You are reliable to work as a podiatrist and have no criminal record.
  • Health suitability: You are mentally and physically able to work as a podiatrist.
  • You have German language skills at the required level. This is usually language level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Which documents are required?

The responsible office will tell you what documents you need to submit. Important documents are generally:

  • Proof of identity (identity card or passport)
  • Marriage certificate (if your name has changed due to marriage)
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Proof of your professional qualification (e.g. certificates, professional certificate)
  • Proof of education
  • Evidence of your relevant professional experience as a podiatrist
  • Evidence of other relevant knowledge for working as a podiatrist
  • Do you not yet live or work in the EU, EEA or Switzerland? Then you have to prove You want to work in Germany in the profession. Evidence can be: Applications for a job, proof of your application for an entry visa for gainful employment or personal statement.

You usually hand in these documents later. The competent office will inform you when to hand in the documents:

  • Proof of your personal eligibility: criminal record extract or certificate of good conduct from your country of origin. The proof must not be older than 3 months at the time of application.
  • Proof of your health suitability: Medical certificate. The certificate must not be older than 3 months at the time of application.
  • Proof of your German language skills: Language certificate

The responsible office will inform you which documents you have to submit as a simple copy, as a certified copy or as an original.

What are the fees?

The procedure costs money. The responsible office will inform you about the costs. The costs generally depend on the effort required for processing.

The fee range is at least 80.00 Euro to 590.00 Euro.

Additional costs may arise (e.g. for translations, certifications or compensatory measures). These costs vary individually.

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

None.

Sometimes documents are still missing in the procedure. The responsible office will then inform you by when you have to submit the documents.

Processing duration

Processing Time: 4 Months
The responsible office will inform you if any documents are missing. If the documents are complete, the procedure takes a maximum of 4 months.

Legal basis

What else should I know?

Equivalency notice

The equivalence test (recognition procedure) is also carried out during the licensing procedure. You can apply for a separate decision on the result of the examination.


Procedure for late repatriates

As a late repatriate, you can either go through the recognition procedure according to the laws mentioned here or according to the Federal Expellees Act. You can decide this yourself. The competent office will advise you which procedure suits you.

Author

Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

The text was automatically translated based on the German content per DeepL.

Technically approved by

Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training

Federal Ministry of Health

Professionally released on

07.12.2021

Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Thüringen (Linie6PLus)

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