Pharmacist:in with training from EU/EEA/Switzerland, recognize professional qualification
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Schule, Ausbildung und Studium
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Arbeit
Procedure
Application
You submit an application for a license to practice as a pharmacist to the competent authority. The application must be submitted electronically. The original documents must be presented at a personal appointment. The competent authority will then check whether your training corresponds to the German training and whether all other requirements have been met.
Automatic recognition
As a rule, the automatic recognition procedure applies if you began your vocational training after your country of training joined the EU/EEA. This means that if you also meet all other requirements, your professional qualification will be recognized without an individual equivalence assessment.
Certificate of conformity
Vocational training that you began before the EU/EEA accession of your country of training (or that does not correspond to the legal designations) can also be recognized automatically. To do so, you must submit a certificate from the competent authority in your country of training stating that your professional qualification meets the minimum EU standards ("certificate of conformity"). If your professional qualification does not meet the minimum standards, you must provide proof of your professional experience. You must have worked as a qualified pharmacist in your country of origin for an uninterrupted period of 3 years in the 5 years prior to submitting your application. This must be confirmed by the competent authority in your country of origin.
Examination of equivalence
If you are unable to present a certificate of conformity or do not have sufficient professional experience, your training must be checked individually. The competent authority will compare your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification. The competent body will check whether your professional qualification is equivalent. 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 authority can confirm the result in writing. You must still meet the other requirements and provide proof of your language skills. You will then be granted a license to practice as a pharmacist.
Are there any significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? You may be able to 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 country in which you acquired the knowledge or skills.
However, it is possible that the essential differences cannot be compensated for by this knowledge. The competent authority will tell you the main differences and why you cannot compensate for the main differences with your professional experience.
The decision of the competent authority will also state the level of your training and the level required in Germany. You will then not be allowed to work as a pharmacist in Germany.
Aptitude test
If your professional qualification is not equivalent and you cannot compensate for the differences, you can take an aptitude test. The aptitude test examines the main differences in your professional qualifications. The aptitude test is an oral examination.
If you pass the aptitude test and meet all other requirements, you will be licensed as a pharmacist.
Legal bases
More information
Freedom to provide services
Do you only want to offer services in Germany occasionally and for a short time? Then you usually do not need a state permit. You must fulfill these requirements:
- You must be established in another EU or EEA member state or in Switzerland.
- You must provide proof of your professional qualification.
- You must notify the competent authority of your activity in writing.
The competent authority will inform you.
European professional card
You can apply for a European Professional Card (EPC). You can submit the application online on the European Commission's website. The European Professional Card is an electronic procedure for the recognition of professional qualifications. It is only valid for EU countries and for certain professions.
Notification of equivalence
In the licensing procedure, the equivalence of your training is checked (recognition procedure). You can apply for a separate notification of the result of the examination.
Procedure for ethnic German repatriates
As a late repatriate, you can go through the recognition procedure either in accordance with the laws mentioned here or in accordance with the Federal Expellee Act. You can decide for yourself. The responsible office will advise you which procedure is right for you.
Legal remedy:
You can take legal action against the decision of the responsible office within a certain period of time (for example, by lodging an objection). The decision will then be reviewed. Details can be found in the information on legal remedies at the end of your decision. We recommend that you first speak to the responsible office before taking legal action against the decision.
