Regulated professions are protected by statutory provisions. This means that anybody seeking to practise a regulated profession requires a specific professional qualification. This also means that anybody wanting to practise a regulated profession in Germany, and who has a foreign professional qualification, needs recognition!
The person concerned must also meet further requirements in order to be allowed to work in the profession. The further requirements may differ depending on the profession. For example, proof of personal aptitude, medical fitness or German language skills may be necessary. Many professions are regulated in the areas of health, security and social welfare in particular.
There are different forms of regulation:
- In the case of academic medical professions, approbation (licence to practise medicine in Germany) is required in order to be allowed to practice the profession without restriction. This applies to the professions of doctor of medicine, veterinary surgeon, dentist and psychotherapist.
- In some professions, the professional title is protected. In these cases, an individual is not permitted to use the professional title without official authorisation. This applies, for example, to physiotherapist, midwife and speech therapist.
- In the crafts and trades sector, there are a number of regulated professions at master craftsman level. Anybody seeking to be self-employed in these professions must get themselves entered in the Register of Craftsmen. The regulated craft trade professions include, for example, master baker, master hairdresser and master dental technician.
- A certificate or certificate of competence is required for some independent activities and trades or businesses. The applies, for example, to security guards, insurance advisers and driving instructors.
Many professions are regulated at federal level. The same provisions apply nationally to these professions, e.g. to doctor of medicine, general nurse and master craftsperson in the crafts and trades sector.
Other professions are regulated at federal state level. Slightly different provisions apply to these professions in each federal state, for example to nursery school teacher, teacher or engineer. There are also professions which are not regulated in all federal states.
Please also note that a large number of German professions are not regulated. This applies, for example, to all dual training occupations such as office manager or motor vehicle mechatronics technician.
Skilled workers can find out whether a profession is regulated or not by visiting the Recognition Finder.
