Zulassung sektorale Heilpraktikererlaubnis für das Gebiet der Physiotherapie beantragen

If you would like to work as a non-medical practitioner for physiotherapy, you can obtain a non-medical practitioner's license limited to the field of physiotherapy under certain conditions.

If you would like to work in the field of medicine in Germany, you need a medical license (Approbation) or a permit in accordance with the Heilpraktikergesetz (HeilprG).

A non-medical practitioner in the field of physiotherapy is not a regulated training profession. There is therefore no state final examination. In order to obtain the "minor non-medical practitioner license for physiotherapy", you must meet legally defined minimum requirements and generally undergo a knowledge check by the public health department.

Only applicants who are in possession of a license to use the professional title of physiotherapist in accordance with § 1 Para. 1 No. 2 MPhG are eligible for a limited examination in the field of physiotherapy.

The limited oral-practical examination of the knowledge and skills of applicants must be carried out by the expert committee set up at the Lower Saxony State Office for Social Affairs, Youth and Family.

• brief curriculum vitae
• the birth certificate or an extract from the family register
• proof of identity with photograph
• an official certificate of good conduct, which must not be older than one month
• a statement as to whether the applicant is the subject of any pending criminal proceedings or investigations by the public prosecutor's office
• a declaration as to whether and, if so, to which authority a license under the Heilpraktikergesetz (HeilPrG) has previously been applied for
• a medical certificate, which must not be older than one month, stating that there are no indications that the applicant lacks the aptitude required to practise as a non-medical practitioner due to a physical ailment or weakness of mental or physical strength or due to addiction
• Proof that the applicant has at least a secondary school leaving certificate

Further documents

• Declaration that you wish to work exclusively in the field of physiotherapy
• Permission to use the professional title "Physiotherapist" (certified copy)
• Proof of previous training and further education
• If applicable, references.

In the case of an application for a decision on the basis of a special post-qualification for physiotherapists (additional):

• Description of the content and scope of the training by the training provider as a single copy
• Original copy of the applicant's final test with answer key
• Certified copy of the training provider's confirmation that the applicant has passed the final test

Only for applicants outside the European Economic Area (EEA):

• Residence permit
• if the medical profession is to be practiced as a non-self-employed activity: Work permit

The applicant

• has reached the age of 25,
• has at least a lower secondary school leaving certificate
• would like to practise their profession in Lower Saxony,
• is authorized to use the professional title "Physiotherapist",
• is morally reliable and has not committed any serious criminal or moral misconduct,
• is suitable for practicing the profession of alternative practitioner in terms of health.
• successfully completes the knowledge check before the expert committee set up at the State Office for Social Affairs, Youth and Family (in certain cases, the knowledge check may be waived and a decision made on the basis of the files)

Tip: Various training institutes offer training courses for post-qualification for physiotherapists - find out more on the Internet. If this satisfies the requirements described in No. 7.2.4 of the Lower Saxony directive on alternative practitioners (see "Legal basis"), the knowledge check can be waived and a decision made on the basis of the files.

Amount of costs (variable): from 200 to 800 euros

Fees and expenses are incurred in accordance with Annex 1 to Section 1 (1) of the General Fee Regulations of the State of Lower Saxony (AllGO) as per No. 42.1.

The expenses for the expert committee are charged as expenses in addition to the fee.

Applying for a small non-medical practitioner's license for physiotherapy

Applicant has his/her place of residence in Lower Saxony,

is authorized to use the professional title "Physiotherapist",

is morally reliable and has not committed any serious criminal or moral misconduct,

is suitable for practicing the profession of alternative practitioner in terms of health.

Knowledge check by the expert committee at the State Office for Social Affairs, Youth and Family, decision based on file if necessary if post-qualification has been completed

Responsibility lies with the district or independent city in whose district the profession is to be practiced.

In Lower Saxony, the districts, the independent cities and the city of Göttingen as well as the Hanover region are responsible for all questions relating to the medical profession, insofar as the profession is to be practiced in their district (lower administrative authorities): herethe local health authorities in whose district the profession is to be practiced.