Pharmaceutical technical assistant with training from third countries, recognize professional qualification

Procedure

Application

You submit an application for the granting of permission to use the professional title "pharmaceutical technical assistant" to the competent office. You can hand in the application with the documents at the competent office or send it by mail. Do not send originals. Sometimes you can send the application electronically. The competent office will inform you.

Checking the equivalence

The competent body will then check whether you meet all the requirements. One important requirement is the equivalence of your professional qualification. The competent body compares 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.

Possible results of the examination

If your professional qualification is equivalent, your foreign professional qualification will be recognized. The competent body can confirm the result to you in writing. You still have to fulfill the other requirements. Then you will receive permission to use the professional title "pharmaceutical technical assistant".

Are there any significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? Perhaps you can compensate for the differences through your professional practice, other knowledge or skills (lifelong learning). You have to prove the professional practice. Knowledge and skills must be certified by an authority of the state in which you acquired the knowledge or skills.

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

However, the competent body will tell you the essential differences and why you cannot compensate for the essential differences through your professional practice.

In most cases, you can make a compensatory measure. This will allow you to compensate for the essential differences.

Compensatory measures

There are several compensatory measures:

• Adaptation course: the adaptation course lasts a maximum of three years.
• Knowledge examination: The knowledge examination tests your knowledge in specific subjects and areas. The knowledge examination includes an oral and a practical part.

You can choose between an adaptation course or a knowledge test.

If you successfully complete the compensatory measure and meet all other requirements, you will receive permission to use the occupational title "pharmaceutical technical assistant".

Legal bases

• § 1 Abs. 1, § 2 Abs. 2 Gesetz über den Beruf des pharmazeutisch-technischen Assistenten
• §§ 18b, 18c Ausbildungs- und Prüfungsverordnung für pharmazeutisch-technische Assistentinnen und pharmazeutisch-technische Assistenten

More information

Equivalency notice

The equivalence test (recognition procedure) is also carried out during the licensing procedure. You can apply for a separate decision on the result of the examination.

Procedure for late repatriates

As a late repatriate, you can either go through the recognition procedure according to the laws mentioned here or according to the Federal Expellees Act. You can decide this yourself. The competent office will advise you which procedure suits you.