Erlaubnis zum Führen der Berufsbezeichnung Medizinisch-technische/r Laboratoriumsassistent/in bei Berufsqualifikation aus Drittstaaten Erteilung

• Application (available online)
• Documents according to the information sheet (available online)
• Language certificate B2/ specialist language test (see information sheet)
• medical certificate (available online)
• Official certificate of good conduct according to Section 30 Paragraph 5 of the Federal Central Register Act (BZRG)

• You have successfully completed training as a medical laboratory assistant outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland and are entitled to work there independently as a medical laboratory assistant.
• You want to work in Germany as a medical laboratory assistant.
• Personal suitability: You are reliable for work as a medical laboratory assistant and have no criminal record.
• Medical suitability: You are mentally and physically fit to work as a medical laboratory assistant.
• 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 “Medical-technical laboratory assistant” or “Medical-technical laboratory assistant”. You can submit the application with the documents to the responsible authority or send it by post. Do not send originals. Sometimes you can also send the application electronically. The responsible authority will inform you.
• 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 medical-technical laboratory 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 “Medical-technical laboratory assistant” or “Medical-technical laboratory 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, your foreign professional qualification will not be recognized. You will then not be allowed to work as a medical laboratory assistant in Germany. However, the responsible body will tell you the essential differences and why you cannot compensate for the essential differences through your professional experience. In most cases, you can take a compensatory measure. This will allow you to compensate for the essential differences. There are various compensatory measures:
    • Adaptation period: The adaptation period lasts a maximum of three years.
    • Knowledge test: The knowledge test tests your knowledge in certain subjects and areas. The knowledge test is a practical test with an examination interview.
  • If you successfully complete the compensatory measure and meet all other requirements, you will be permitted to use the professional title of “medical-technical laboratory assistant” or “medical-technical laboratory assistant”.

• up to 2 months in accelerated procedure
• up to 3 months in regular procedure

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 medical laboratory assistant in Germany, you need a government permit.
• With this permission, you can officially call yourself a “medical laboratory assistant” or “medical laboratory assistant” and work in this profession.
• You can also obtain state permission in Germany if you have a professional qualification from a so-called third country. Third countries are all countries that are not part of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
• On January 1, 2023, the training for professions in medical technology was reformed in Germany. The new law on professions in medical technology applies. The profession on this basis is called medical technologist for laboratory analysis or medical technologist for laboratory analysis.
• There is a transitional period for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications based on the old law on technical assistants in medicine. Until December 31, 2026, foreign professional qualifications can, under certain circumstances, still be temporarily recognized as a medical-technical laboratory assistant.