Apply for state recognition (granting of permission to use the professional title) as a geriatric care assistant

If you would like to work permanently in the field of geriatric care in Germany and call yourself a geriatric care assistant, you must have state recognition. State recognition entitles you to call yourself a geriatric care assistant.
State recognition also allows you to prove to your employer that the training you have completed abroad has been tested and is equivalent to the training in Hessen.

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

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

• Completed application form
• Proof of habitual residence (main residence) in Hesse or proof of intended exercise of the profession in Hesse
• Copy of identity card or comparable identification document
• Civil status document on name, place and date of birth (e.g. birth/marriage certificate, extract from the family register with German translation)
• Curriculum vitae in German with precise details of school education, vocational training(s) and previous activities
• Proof of training (e.g. diploma) of completed training in the national language and in German translation
• Proof from the training institution (school) of the content and scope of the training completed (type and scope (hours) of subjects taught, type and scope of practical training) in the national language and in German translation
• Proof of your previous activities in geriatric nursing care, with German translation
• Declaration that no legal criminal proceedings or public prosecutor's investigations are pending against you.
• Medical certificate (not older than one month) stating that you are fit to practise the profession in terms of health - without restriction
• for proof of reliability for practicing the profession:

• If resident in Germany (for at least 1 year): Certificate of good conduct, to be applied for at the registration office responsible for your place of residence (residents' registration office or public order office of the city/municipality)
• If you live abroad: documents from your home country that prove your personal reliability (e.g. certificate of good conduct, criminal record extract), with German translation

• Proof of sufficient knowledge of the German language in the form of a language certificate
  (please contact the relevant authority to find out which language certificates are accepted)

Note: You must also enclose a German translation of documents in a foreign language. The translation must be carried out by an officially sworn document interpreter. Copies of diplomas, certificates, proof of training content, proof of employment, proof of reliability and the language certificate, including the respective translations if applicable, must be officially certified. The original medical certificate and the declaration of good repute must be submitted.

The required forms can be downloaded from the website of the Darmstadt Regional Council.

State recognition as a geriatric care assistant can be granted if you have successfully completed relevant training in geriatric care assistance and this training does not differ significantly from the Hessian training in geriatric care assistance in terms of duration and content.

If there are significant differences compared to the Hessian training, you would have to complete an adaptation period or take an aptitude test if the professional experience to be proven is not suitable to compensate for the significant differences (depending on the type, duration and relevance of the professional experience).

If an adaptation period or an aptitude test is required, you can choose between the two options. The duration and content of the adaptation period and the content of the aptitude test are determined individually by the competent authority as part of the recognition procedure. The duration of the adaptation period can be a maximum of one year.

You must also prove that you

• are medically fit to practise the profession,
• have not been guilty of any behavior that makes you unreliable to practice the profession of geriatric care assistant and have the German language skills required to practice the profession

You must submit the application for state recognition in writing to the responsible authority (Darmstadt Regional Council). You must sign it by hand.

The prerequisite is that you have your habitual residence (domicile) in Hesse or that you will at least exercise the profession in Hesse. Credible evidence is required for these facts establishing responsibility.

The necessary forms are available for you to download or you can obtain them from the responsible office.

You will usually be notified within 4 weeks as to whether your application is complete or whether you need to submit further documents.
A certificate of authorization will be issued and sent to you upon state recognition. If state recognition as a geriatric care assistant is granted, this is only valid in Hesse.

Proof of health suitability and reliability for practicing the profession (medical certificate, certificate of good conduct and declaration of reliability) must not be older than three months when state recognition is granted.

Usually a maximum of 3 months after receipt of all requested documents.

Granting of state recognition: 150 euros

Rejection of the application for state recognition: up to 112.50 euros

Withdrawal of the application for state recognition: up to 75.00 euros

Copies: 0.20 euros per copy