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The activity as a speech therapist is regulated in Germany. This means that in order to be able to work as a speech therapist in Germany, you need a state permit. With this permission, you may use the professional title "speech therapist" or "speech therapist" and work in the profession.

Even with a professional qualification from a so-called third country, you can obtain state permission from the competent authority (an authority) in Germany. Third countries are all states that do not belong to the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

In order to obtain the permit, you must have your foreign professional qualification recognised.

In the recognition procedure, the competent authority compares your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification and checks the equivalence. The equivalence of the professional qualification is an important prerequisite for the granting of state permission.

In addition to the equivalence of the professional qualification, you must meet other requirements for the granting of the permit. Further requirements are, for example, sufficient German language skills and health suitability.

If your professional qualification comes from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, other regulations apply.

You can also apply for the procedure from abroad.

The competent authority will tell you which documents you need to submit. Important documents are in general:

• Proof of identity (identity card or passport)
• German-language curriculum vitae in tabular form with your education and professional activities
• officially certified copy of your proof of formal qualifications
• Proof of your relevant professional experience as a speech therapist
• Proof of further relevant knowledge for working as a speech therapist
• Extract from the criminal record or certificate of good conduct from your country of origin as proof of your reliability (This proof must not be more than 3 months old at the time of application.)
• Medical certificate of your health (The proof can be from an authority in your country of training. This certificate must not be more than 3 months old at the time of application.)
• Registration certificate or declaration that you want to work where you apply

The competent authority will inform you which documents you must submit in the original or as copies.

If your documents are not available in German, you must submit German translations of your documents. The translations must be made by translators who are publicly appointed or authorised.

Ask the Darmstadt Regional Council for the specific requirements. In general, the following requirements apply:

• You have a professional qualification as a speech therapist from a third country.
• They are suitable for health. (This means that you can work mentally and physically as a speech therapist.)
• You are reliable for working as a speech therapist and have no criminal record.
• You have the necessary knowledge of German for the job. This is usually level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

The procedure costs money. The competent authority will inform you about the costs. The costs generally depend on the effort for processing.

In addition, additional costs may arise (e.g. for translations, certifications or compensatory measures). These costs vary from person to person.

Equivalence assessment

You submit an application for permission to use the professional title "speech therapist" or "speech therapist" to the competent authority. The competent authority will then check whether you meet all the requirements. An important prerequisite is the professional qualification. The competent authority compares your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification as a speech therapist. The competent authority 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 test

If your professional qualification is equivalent, your foreign professional qualification will be recognised. The authority can confirm the result to you in writing. You still have to meet the other requirements and prove your language skills. Then you will receive permission to use the professional title as "speech therapist" or "speech therapist".

If the competent body identifies significant differences, you can compensate for the differences through your professional practice and other knowledge and skills (lifelong learning). You must prove your professional experience. Knowledge and skills must be certified by an authority in your country of origin.

However, it may be that this knowledge is not sufficient. You will then not be able to compensate for the essential differences. Your foreign professional qualification will then not be recognised.

However, the competent authority will tell you the essential differences and why you cannot compensate for the essential differences through your professional practice. You are then not allowed to work as a speech therapist. However, the competent authority offers you to complete an adaptation period or take a knowledge test as a compensatory measure. If you successfully complete this measure, you will be allowed to work in the profession.

Adaptation period or knowledge test

If your professional qualification is not equivalent, you can choose between a knowledge test and a maximum three-year adaptation period. The knowledge test tests your knowledge in specific subjects and areas. These subjects and the exact procedure of the examination are regulated by law. The proficiency test has an oral part and a practical part. If you complete the adaptation period or pass the knowledge test (and meet all other requirements), you will be allowed to use the professional title of "speech therapist".

Remedy

You can take legal action against the decision of the competent authority. The decision will then be reviewed. Details can be found in the information on the right of appeal at the end of your decision. We recommend that you first talk to the competent authority before taking legal action against the decision.

The competent authority will confirm that your documents have been received after a maximum of one month. The competent authority will inform you if documents are missing.

If the documents are complete, the procedure takes a maximum of 4 months.

None.

Sometimes documents are still missing in the procedure. The competent authority will then inform you by when you must submit the documents.

• Equivalence Notice
  In the licensing procedure, equivalence is also checked (recognition procedure). You can apply for a separate notification for the result of the examination.
   
• Electronic application
  You can also submit your application electronically.
   
• Procedure for ethnic German repatriates
  As a Spätaussiedler, you can go through the recognition procedure either according to the law mentioned here or according to the Federal Expellees Act. You can decide for yourself. Your competent body will advise you on this.

An appeal against the decision of the Regional Council can be lodged within four weeks.

• To work as a speech therapist in Germany, you need a state permit.
• With the permission you can officially call yourself "speech therapist" or "speech therapist" and work in the profession.
• Even with a professional qualification from a so-called third country, you can obtain state permission in Germany. Third countries are all states that do not belong to the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

Please contact the Hessian State Office for Health and Care (HLfGP).

Since 01.01.2023, the Hessian State Office for Health and Care (HLfGP) has been responsible.

Ask the Regierungspräsidium Darmstadt if there are already pre-printed applications / forms.