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for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications

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Your recognition procedure as Specialised dental practitioner - Orthodontist (m/f)
in München, Bavaria

  • The profession of Specialised dental practitioner - Orthodontist (m/f) is regulated in Bavaria.
  • Recognition is necessary in order to be able to work in the profession in Germany.
  • This profession in Germany is regulated by the federal states. This means the regulations may differ each federal state.

The competent authority

Bayerische Landeszahnärztekammer

Quick-Info

This procedure is called: Recognition of continuing vocational education and training in third countries.

Please note: For the application you need approbation (licence to practise medicine in Germany) or authorisation to practise an occupation as a dentist in Germany. You apply for approbation or authorisation to practise an occupation in another procedure.

Sometimes this requirement also applies:

  • You are a member of a German dental association.
  • You have at least one year of professional experience as a dentist.

You need to provide evidence of your knowledge of German for the authorisation to practise an occupation or for the approbation. In most cases you do not also need to provide evidence of your knowledge of German for recognition of your professional qualification as a specialised dental practitioner.

  • One month at the latest following receipt of your application by the competent authority: The competent authority will notify you of receipt of the documents. They will inform you if documents are missing. The procedure begins when the documents are complete.
  • After 4 months at the latest you will receive notice containing the result. In specific cases the competent authority may extend the procedure.

Documents for my application

  • Application form from the competent authority

  • If there is no application form, then apply without a standard application form

  • Proof of identity (e.g. passport or personal identification)

  • Marriage certificate (if your name has changed through marriage)

  • Curriculum vitae

  • Evidence of your professional qualification (e.g. certificates, certificate of entitlement)

  • If necessary: certificate of conformity

  • Evidence of your professional experience in this profession (e.g. employment references)

  • Evidence of your other qualifications (e.g. continuing vocational training, seminars)

  • You will possibly be required to provide evidence that you are permitted to work in your country of training

  • Intention to start work: You may have to prove that you want to work in Germany.

  • Information about an application for recognition already submitted. In this case state to which authority you applied.

The competent authority will inform you as to which documents you must produce as originals or submit as copies. Some copies must be officially certified. We recommend that you do not send originals by post.

You must submit your documents in German. Sworn or authorised translators must prepare the translations.

My steps to recognition

You may also apply if you are not yet living in Germany.

  • You can send the application by post to the competent authority. Do not send originals.
  • You may be able to send the application via email. Ask your competent authority before you do. Later on in the recognition procedure, you may be required to submit original copies or certified copies of the documents.
  • You are sometimes able to apply online. Later on in the recognition procedure, you may be required to submit original copies or certified copies of the documents. Use the federal state internet portal for the online application. You will then leave our information page: To the internet portal of Bavaria.

The competent authority receives the application. After one month at the latest, it will confirm that the application has arrived. Once the competent authority has received all the documents from you, it processes your application.

The competent authority firstly checks: Do you already have approbation or authorisation to practise an occupation as a dentist in Germany?
If you do not yet have this, you first need to apply for recognition as a dentist. Read the information about this in our Recognition Finder under dentist.

If you already have approbation or authorisation to practise an occupation as a dentist in Germany, then the competent authority will complete an equivalence assessment. This means: It compares your professional qualification with the German professional qualification as a specialised dental practitioner. As part of this, the competent authority takes into account your professional experience, other certificates and other qualifications.

You may need to take a test if checking your application involves too much work. If, for example, key documents and evidence are missing. There are various tests:

Ask the competent authority which test you can take.

The procedure takes a maximum of 4 months. In specific cases the competent authority may extend the procedure. At the end, the competent authority sends you a notice containing the result.

Outcome: Recognition 

Your professional qualification and the German professional qualification are equivalent. Your professional qualification is recognised.

You are authorised to use the professional title permitted by the continuing vocational education and training in your specialisation as a specialised dental practitioner. Professionally you have the same rights as a person with the German professional qualification.

Outcome: No recognition because the professional qualification is not equivalent.

There are substantial differences between your professional qualification and the German continuing vocational education and training. You are not able to compensate for these differences with your professional experience and other knowledge of the profession. Your professional qualification is therefore not equivalent to the German professional qualification.

In most cases you are able to complete a compensation measure. This allows you to compensate for the substantial differences.

You are able to take legal action against the decision of the competent authority. Details on this procedure can be found in the legal redress advice (German: “Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung”) at the end of your notice. We recommend that you speak to a counselling centre first before challenging the decision or taking legal action.

Compensation measures 

If your professional qualification is not equivalent you can complete a compensation measure. A compensation measure allows you to compensate for substantial differences. Substantial differences are listed in your notice.

There are a range of compensation measures:

You may be required to complete continuing vocational education and training before the compensation measure

The competent authority will tell you which compensation measure you can complete. You can sometimes choose a compensation measure. It depends on your professional qualification. Your competent authority will inform you.

If you successfully complete the compensation measure, you receive a certificate. You submit this certificate to the competent authority. The competent authority checks the certificate and all requirements. If you meet all requirements, your professional qualification is recognised. Professionally, you then have the same rights as a person with the German continuing vocational training.

Do you come from a third country? You are permitted to enter Germany for a compensation measure. Please seek advice if you have questions, or find out more about entry e.g. via the hotline Working and Living in Germany.

My other options

Do you already live in Germany and are you permitted to work in Germany?

If you have authorisation to practise an occupation or approbation then you are permitted to work as a dentist in Germany. You do not need continuing vocational education and training as a dentist.

However, without recognition of your professional qualification, you are not authorised to use the title of the continuing vocational education and training in your specialisation as a specialised dental practitioner.

As an Ethnic German Resettler, you can select between two procedures for vocational recognition:

  • You apply for the procedure described here.
  • You apply for the procedure under Section 10 of the Federal Expellees Act (German: “§10 Bundesvertriebenengesetz, BVFG”).

You can decide this. Your competent authority will advise you.

  • Do you have any questions? Do you need help with the application? Seek advice! You will find your counselling centre two steps in advance. In the navigation, click "Counselling offers".
  • Do you have questions regarding entry or residence? Please contact the hotline Working and Living in Germany.

Further information

You are only allowed to use the title of the continuing vocational education and training in your specialisation as a specialised dental practitioner if there is also an equivalent continuing vocational education and training title in Germany.

last update on: 14.09.2023

The competent authority

Bayerische Landeszahnärztekammer

Bayerische Landeszahnärztekammer

Any questions or feedback?

Do you have a question about the recognition procedure? Or have you noticed any information that could be improved? We're happy to help.