Anerkennung als Logopädin oder Logopäde mit Berufsqualifikation aus EU/EWR/Schweiz beantragen

You would like to work as a speech therapist in Germany? Then you need a state permit. To obtain the state permit, you can have your foreign professional qualification recognized.

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

Even with a professional qualification from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you can obtain the state permit from the competent body in Germany.

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 does not originate from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, other regulations apply.

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

The responsible office will tell you which 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 qualifications (e.g. certificates, professional certificate)
• Proof of training
• Proof of your relevant professional experience as a speech and language therapist
• Proof of other relevant knowledge for working as a speech and language therapist
• You do not yet live or work in Germany? Then you may need to provide proof: You want to work in the profession in Germany. Proof includes, for example, applications for a job, invitations to job interviews, personal statement

You usually submit these documents later. The responsible office will inform you when you should submit the documents:

• Proof of your personal suitability: criminal record extract or certificate of good conduct from your country of origin. The certificate 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 let you know which documents you need to submit as a simple copy, a certified copy or the original.

• You have a professional qualification as a speech therapist from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland.
• You want to work as a speech therapist in Germany.
• Personal suitability: You are reliable for the work as a speech therapist and have no criminal record.
• Health suitability: You are mentally and physically able to work as a speech therapist.
• You have German language skills at the required level. This is usually language level C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

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

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

Application

You submit an application for permission to use the professional title "speech therapist" to the competent authority. You can submit the application with the documents to the competent authority or send it by post. Do not send any originals. Sometimes you can also send the application electronically. The competent body will inform you.

Examination of equivalence

The competent body will then check whether you meet all the requirements. An important requirement is the equivalence of your professional qualification. The competent body will compare your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification as a speech and language therapist. 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 authority can confirm the result in writing. You must still meet the other requirements. You will then receive permission to use the professional title "speech therapist".

Are there any significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? You may be able to compensate for the differences through your professional experience, other knowledge or skills (lifelong learning). You must provide evidence of your professional experience. Knowledge and skills must be certified by an authority in the country in which you acquired the knowledge or skills.

However, it may be that the significant differences cannot be compensated for by this knowledge. In this case, your foreign professional qualification will not be recognized. You will then not be allowed to work as a speech therapist in Germany.

However, the competent authority will tell you the main differences and why you cannot compensate for the main differences with your professional experience.

In most cases, you can take a compensatory measure. This allows you to compensate for the main differences.

Compensatory measures

There are various compensatory measures:

• Adaptation course: The adaptation course lasts a maximum of three years.
• Aptitude test: In the aptitude test, only those areas in which significant differences have been identified are tested. The aptitude test consists of a practical examination.

You can choose between an adaptation period or an aptitude test.

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

There is no deadline.

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

Freedom to provide services

Do you only want to offer services in Germany occasionally and for a short time? Then you usually do not need a state permit. You must fulfill these requirements:

• You must be established in another EU or EEA member state or in Switzerland.
• You must provide proof of your professional qualification.
• You must notify the competent authority of your activity in writing.

The competent authority will inform you whether you are permitted to provide services or whether you need to take an aptitude test.

Notification of equivalence

The equivalence assessment (recognition procedure) also takes place during the authorization procedure. You can apply for a separate decision on the result of the examination.

Procedure for ethnic German repatriates

As a late repatriate, you can go through the recognition procedure either in accordance with the laws mentioned here or in accordance with the Federal Expellee Act. You can decide for yourself. The responsible office will advise you on which procedure is right for you.

You can take legal action (e.g. file an appeal) against the decision of the responsible office within a certain period. The decision will then be reviewed. Details on this can be found in the appeal instructions at the end of your decision. We recommend that you first talk to the responsible office before taking legal action against the decision.

• Speech therapist with training from EU/EEA/Switzerland, recognize foreign professional qualification
• To work as a speech therapist in Germany, you need a state permit.
• With this permit, you can officially call yourself a "speech therapist" and work in the profession.
• Even with professional qualifications from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you can obtain a state permit in Germany.