Alternative Practitioner (m/f)

 Alternative practitioners treat patients with illnesses. They often use alternative healing methods for diagnosis and therapy. However, they are not doctors of medicine.

In Germany, there is no state-regulated vocational training for alternative practitioners. Therefore, there is no recognition procedure for this profession.

If you want to work as an alternative practitioner without being a doctor of medicine, you need a licence. To obtain this, you must pass an examination. The health authority at your place of work is usually responsible for this.

To be admitted to the alternative practitioner examination, you must be at least 25 years old and have an intermediate qualification.

You will need a medical certificate to prove your medical fitness. To prove your reliability, you will need an official certificate of good conduct.

Further information on the alternative practitioner examination can be found here.

If you pass the examination, you may work as an alternative practitioner in Germany. You may then use the professional title ‘alternative practitioner’.

Legal basis:

• Alternative Medical Practitioners Act (HeilprG)
• First Implementing Regulation to the Act on the Professional Practice of Medicine without Appointment (HeilprGDV 1) 

Further options