Nursing assistant; application for recognition of foreign vocational training

You can have a school/professional qualification in nursing assistance acquired abroad checked for equivalence with the Bavarian vocational training for "Nursing assistant (geriatric care)" or "Nursing assistant (nursing)".

The occupation of "nursing assistant (geriatric care)" or "nursing assistant (nursing care)" is not regulated in Bavaria. You may also work in this field without recognition of equivalence.

However, you may only call yourself a "nursing assistant (geriatric care)" or "nursing assistant (nursing)" if the equivalence of your foreign qualification has been recognized.

Any person can apply for an equivalence assessment procedure who

• has acquired a training qualification or other professional qualification in nursing care abroad and
• intends to pursue gainful employment in Bavaria that corresponds to the professional qualifications.

Proof of training/training qualification means that proof of a professional qualification completed abroad must be provided.

Intention to work means that the applicant must intend to work in Bavaria. You must document this intention to the competent authority and, if necessary, provide proof upon request.

Further information can be found in the information sheets on the website of the Bavarian State Office for Care (see "Further links").

An appeal against the decision can be brought before the competent administrative court.

You must apply to the Bavarian State Office for Nursing for recognition of your foreign training as a nursing assistant.

You will generally receive confirmation that your application has been received within one month. You may also receive a list of documents that are still missing and that you need to submit later.

If the documents are complete, a check will be made to see whether there are any significant differences between the professional qualification obtained abroad and the qualification as a "nursing assistant (geriatric care)" or "nursing assistant (nursing)". If there are significant differences, these can be compensated for by other certificates of competence (e.g. further training, additional training) or by proven relevant professional experience.

If there are no significant differences, full equivalence will be established in a decision.

You will receive confirmation of receipt within one month of submitting the documents.

If all documents are complete, the competent body must decide on equivalence within three months. This deadline is suspended for as long as documents still need to be requested.

The procedure usually costs between EUR 40.00 and EUR 70.00.

In addition, there are costs of EUR 40.00 for the certificate.

• The following documents are required:
  • Tabular list of training courses and, if applicable, of previous employment
  • Proof of identity (identity card or passport)
  • Proof of training acquired abroad
  • Proof of relevant professional experience or other proof of qualifications (e.g. further vocational training or retraining certificates)
  • Declaration as to whether and to which body an application for determination of equivalence has already been submitted

  The application must be accompanied by a digital copy of the documents in German.