Erlaubnis zum Führen der Berufsbezeichnung Podologin / Podologe Erteilung

If you wish to use the professional title "podiatrist" or "podiatrist", you need a license. You can find out more here.

When working as a chiropodist, a distinction is made between cosmetic and medical chiropody. Cosmetic chiropody (on healthy feet) can be practised without a license, but must be registered with the trade office.

Medical chiropody or podiatry is classified by law as a medical profession and therefore requires a license. It involves treating healthy feet, feet at risk of damage and/or feet that are already damaged.

If you use the professional title "podiatrist" or "podologist" or "medical chiropodist" and want to work in this profession , you need a license. This must be applied for.

The professional license is issued after passing the state examination or recognition of the foreign professional qualification if the health and personal suitability (reliability) and the knowledge of the German language required for practicing the profession.

• Copy of the certificate confirming that you have completed the training period prescribed by the relevant law and passed the state examination or notification of the equivalence of the foreign professional qualification
• (Police) certificate of good conduct
  This is a confirmation that you have not been guilty of any behavior that would make you unreliable to practice the profession (does not have to be brought along, but only applied for at the city administration) (not older than 3 months)
• In the case of a foreign professional qualification, extracts from the criminal records of all countries in which the applicant has resided in the last 5 years, if applicable
• Medical certificate stating that the applicant is not medically unfit to practise the profession
• Confirmation that you have the necessary knowledge of the German language to carry out the professional activity (certificate of language proficiency of at least level B2)

The permit will be issued if you

• have completed the prescribed training and passed the state final examination or your foreign professional qualification has been recognized in Germany,
• have not been guilty of any conduct that makes you unreliable to practise the profession,
• are not unfit in terms of health to practise the profession and
• have the necessary professional activity knowledge of the German language required for practicing the profession.

Is based on the respective administrative fee schedule of the federal state or on the fee statutes of the authorities responsible under federal state law.

You must apply for the permit from the competent authority.

• Once you have submitted the application and all documents are complete, the competent authority will check whether you meet all the requirements.
• If you meet all the requirements, you will receive the permit.

You may only start working once you have received the permit.

The processing time varies. If the documents are complete, your application will be processed promptly.

There are no deadlines to be observed.

There are no indications or special features.

Comparable training qualifications obtained outside Germany can be recognized as equivalent. If you have completed the relevant training outside Germany, you may be able to work as a service provider in Germany temporarily and occasionally without a permit (in accordance with EU law). You must notify the competent authority of this in advance.

Appeal (appeal may be excluded depending on national law), administrative court action

• Permission to use the professional title of podiatrist Issuance
• The applicant applies for permission to use the professional title "podiatrist"
• The applicant must have completed 3 years of training and passed the state examination for podiatrists or, in the caseof a foreign professional qualification, provide proof of the equivalence of the training.
• Only those who fulfill certain requirements are entitled to use the corresponding professional title. Permission to use the professional title is granted by the competent authority upon application if all requirements are met.
• Competent authority: Depends on the respective state law

Forms available: Yes

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: No

Personal appearance necessary: No