Medizinisch-technische Laboratoriumsassistentin oder Medizinisch-technischer Laboratoriumsassistent mit Ausbildung aus Drittstaaten, Berufsqualifikation anerkennen

All information on the recognition procedure in Hessen can be found at:

Working as a medical-technical laboratory assistant is regulated in Germany. This means that in order to work as a medical-technical laboratory assistant in Germany, you need a state permit. With this permit, you can use the job title "medical-technical laboratory assistant" and work in the profession.

If you have a professional qualification from a so-called third country, you can also obtain a state permit from the competent body (an authority) in Germany. Third countries are all countries 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 recognized.

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 a state license.

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

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

You can also apply for the procedure from abroad.

• Birth certificate
• Completed education includes
• Diploma
• Curriculum or study plan with details of subjects and hours
• Proof of practical training
• Proof of state or professional examinations
• Proof of professional practice permits / licenses

The responsible office will tell you which documents you need to submit. Important documents are generally

• Proof of identity (identity card or passport)
• German-language CV in tabular form with your training and professional activities
• Officially certified copy of your training certificate
• Proof of your relevant professional experience as a medical-technical laboratory assistant
• Proof of other relevant knowledge for working as a medical laboratory assistant
• Criminal record extract or certificate of good conduct from your country of origin as proof of your reliability (this proof must not be older than 3 months at the time of application)
• Medical certificate of good health (this can be from an authority in your country of training. This certificate must not be older than 3 months at the time of application).
• Registration certificate or declaration that you intend to work where you are submitting the application
• In Hesse, a declaration of intent from an employer in Hesse is required.

The responsible office will tell you which documents you need to submit in the original or as a copy.

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

• You have a professional qualification as a medical-technical laboratory assistant from a third country.
• You are in good health. (This means that you are mentally and physically able to work as a medical laboratory assistant).
• You are reliable for working as a medical laboratory assistant and have no criminal record.
• You have the German language skills required for the job. This is normally language level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

The fees are based on the administrative cost regulations plus expenses.

The procedure costs money. The responsible office will inform you of the costs. The costs generally depend on the time and effort required for processing.

Additional costs may also be incurred (e.g. for translations, certifications or compensatory measures). These costs vary from case to case.

Examination of equivalence

You submit an application to the competent authority for permission to use the professional title "medical-technical laboratory assistant". The competent authority will then check whether you meet all the requirements. An important requirement is the professional qualification. The competent authority will compare your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification as a medical-technical laboratory assistant. 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 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 receive permission to use the professional title of "medical-technical laboratory assistant".

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

However, this knowledge may not be sufficient. You will then not be able to compensate for the major differences. Your foreign professional qualification will then not be recognized.

However, the competent authority will tell you the main differences and why you cannot compensate for the main differences with your professional experience. You will then not be allowed to work as a medical-technical laboratory assistant. However, the competent authority will offer you the opportunity to complete an adaptation period with a final interview or to take a knowledge test as a compensatory measure. If you successfully complete this measure and meet the other requirements, you will be allowed to work in the profession.

Adaptation course or knowledge test

If your professional qualification is not equivalent, you can choose between a knowledge test and an adaptation period of up to three years. The knowledge examination tests your knowledge in certain subjects and areas. These subjects and the exact course of the examination are regulated by law. The knowledge test is a practical examination with an interview. If you complete the adaptation period or pass the knowledge test (and meet all other requirements), you will receive permission to use the professional title of "medical-technical laboratory assistant".

Legal 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 legal remedies at the end of your decision. We recommend that you first speak to the competent authority before taking legal action against the decision.

The responsible office will confirm that your documents have arrived after a maximum of one month. The competent office will inform you if any documents are missing.

If the documents are complete, the procedure will take a maximum of between 6 and 9 months.

• Notification of equivalence
  The equivalence check (recognition procedure) also takes place during the permit procedure. You can apply for a separate decision on the result of the assessment.
  
• Electronic application
  You can also submit your application electronically.
  
• Procedure for ethnic German repatriates
  As a late repatriate, you can go through the recognition procedure either in accordance with the law mentioned here or in accordance with the Federal Expellees Act. You can decide for yourself. Your competent office will advise you on this.

• To work as a medical-technical laboratory assistant in Germany, you need a state permit.
• With this permit, you can officially call yourself a "medical-technical laboratory assistant" and work in the profession.
• You can also obtain a state permit in Germany with a professional qualification from a so-called third country. Third countries are all countries 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).

The Hessian State Office for Health and Care (HLfGP) has been responsible since 01.01.2023.

You can find all information at: