Erlaubnis zum Führen der Berufsbezeichnung pharmazeutisch-technische Assistentin oder pharmazeutisch-technischer Assistent bei Berufsqualifikation aus EU/EWR/Schweiz Erteilung

The profession of pharmaceutical technical assistant is regulated in Germany. This means that in order to work as a pharmaceutical technical assistant in Germany, you need a state permit. With the permit, you can use the job title “pharmaceutical technical assistant” and work in the profession.

Even if you have a professional qualification from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or an equivalent state (currently Switzerland), you can obtain state permission from the responsible authority in Germany.

To obtain permission, you must have your foreign professional qualifications recognized.

During the recognition process, the responsible body compares your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification and checks their equivalence. The equivalence of the professional qualification is an important prerequisite for the granting of state permission.

In addition to the equivalence of the professional qualification, you must also fulfill other requirements for the permit to be granted.

If your professional qualification does not come from the EU, EEA or an equivalent state (currently Switzerland), different rules apply.

You can also apply for the procedure from abroad.

• Application (available online)
• Documents according to leaflet (available online)
• Proof of language proficiency B2/ technical language test (see leaflet)
• Medical certificate (available online)
• Official certificate of good conduct according to § 30 Para. 5 BZRG

• You have successfully completed training as a pharmaceutical-technical assistant in the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland and are entitled to work there independently as a pharmaceutical-technical assistant to work.
• You want to work in Germany as a pharmaceutical-technical assistant.
• Personal suitability: You are reliable for the work as a pharmaceutical technician and have no criminal record.
• Medical suitability: you can work mentally and physically as a pharmaceutical technician.
• You have German language skills at the required language level. This is usually language level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

• You submit an application to the responsible authority for permission to use the professional title “pharmaceutical technical assistant”. You can submit the application and the documents to the responsible authority, send them by post or upload them electronically. Do not send originals.
• The responsible body will then check whether you meet all the requirements. An important requirement is the equivalence of your professional qualification. The responsible body will compare your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification as a pharmaceutical technical assistant. The professional qualification is equivalent if there are no significant differences between your foreign professional qualification and the German professional qualification.
• If your professional qualification is equivalent, your foreign professional qualification will be recognized. The responsible body can confirm the result in writing. You must still meet the other requirements. You will then be permitted to use the professional title “pharmaceutical technical assistant” or “pharmaceutical technical assistant”.
  • Are there significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? Perhaps you can 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 state in which you acquired the knowledge or skills.
  • However, it may be that the essential differences cannot be compensated for by this knowledge. In this case, the responsible body will tell you the essential differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification. It will also tell you why you cannot compensate for these essential differences. The responsible body will also tell you compensatory measures that you can take to compensate for the essential differences. If you decide not to take compensatory measures, your professional qualification will not be recognized. You will then not be allowed to work as a pharmaceutical technical assistant in Germany. There are various compensatory measures:
    • Adaptation period: The adaptation period lasts a maximum of 3 years.
    • Aptitude test: In the aptitude test, only those areas in which significant differences have been identified are examined. The aptitude test consists of a practical test combined with an interview.
  • If you successfully complete the compensatory measure and meet all other requirements, you will be permitted to use the professional title “pharmaceutical technical assistant” or “pharmaceutical technical assistant”.

• up to 2 months in the accelerated procedure
• up to 4 months in the regular procedure

Do you only want to offer services in Germany occasionally and for a short period of time? In this case, you usually do not need a state permit. You must meet the following requirements:

• You must be established in another EU, EEA or equivalent state (currently Switzerland).
• You must provide proof of your professional qualifications.
• You must provide evidence of German language skills at the required language level.
• You must prove your personal suitability.
• You must report your activity in writing to the responsible authority.

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

The permit procedure also includes an examination of equivalence (recognition procedure). You can apply for a separate notice of the result of the examination.

As a late repatriate, you can choose to go through the recognition process according to the laws mentioned here or according to the Federal Expellees Act. You can decide for yourself. The responsible authority will advise you on which process is right for you.

• To work as a pharmaceutical technical assistant in Germany, you need a government permit.
• With the permit, you can officially call yourself a “pharmaceutical technical assistant” and work in that profession.
• You can also obtain state permission in Germany if you have a professional qualification from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or an equivalent state (currently Switzerland).
• The equivalence of professional qualifications is an important prerequisite for the granting of state permission.