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Apply for recognition as a pharmaceutical-technical assistant with a professional qualification from the EU/EEA/Switzerland

Would you like to work as a pharmaceutical-technical assistant in Germany? Then you need a state permit. In order to obtain the state permit, you can have your foreign professional qualification recognized.

Basic information
The profession of pharmaceutical technical assistant is regulated in Germany. This means that in order to work as a pharmaceutical technical assistant in Germany, you need a state license. With this permit, you can use the job title "pharmaceutical technical assistant" and work in the profession.
If you have a professional qualification from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you can also obtain a state permit from the competent authority in Germany.
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 does not originate from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, other regulations apply.
You can also apply for the procedure from abroad.
Requirements
- You have a professional qualification as a pharmaceutical technical assistant from a third country.
- You want to work in Germany as a pharmaceutical technical assistant.
- Personal suitability: You are reliable for work as a pharmaceutical technical assistant and have no criminal record.
- Health suitability: You are mentally and physically able to work as a pharmaceutical technical assistant.
- You have German language skills at the required level. This is normally language level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Procedure
Application
You submit an application to the competent authority for permission to use the professional title "pharmaceutical-technical assistant". You can submit the application with the documents to the competent authority or send it by post. Do not send any originals.
Examination of equivalence
The competent body will then check whether you meet all the requirements. An important requirement is the equivalence of your professional qualification. The competent authority will compare your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification as a pharmaceutical-technical assistant. 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 competent authority can confirm the result in writing. You must still meet the other requirements. You will then receive permission to use the professional title "pharmaceutical-technical assistant".
Are there any significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? You may be able to compensate for the differences through your professional experience, other knowledge or skills (lifelong learning). You must provide evidence of your professional experience. Knowledge and skills must be certified by an authority in the country in which you acquired the knowledge or skills.
However, it may be that the significant differences cannot be compensated for by this knowledge. In this case, your foreign professional qualification will not be recognized. You will then not be allowed to work as a pharmaceutical-technical assistant in Germany.
However, the competent authority will tell you the main differences and why you cannot compensate for the main differences with your professional experience.
In most cases, you can take a compensatory measure. This allows you to compensate for the main differences.
Compensatory measures
There are various compensatory measures:
- Adaptation course: The adaptation course lasts a maximum of three years.
- Aptitude test: In the aptitude test, only those areas in which significant differences have been identified are tested. The aptitude test consists of a practical examination combined with an interview.
You can choose between an adaptation period or an aptitude test.
If you successfully complete the compensation measure and meet all other requirements, you will receive permission to use the job title "pharmaceutical technical assistant".
More information
Legal remedy:
You can take legal action against the decision of the competent authority within a certain period (e.g. lodge an objection). 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 responsible office before taking legal action against the decision.
Necessary Documents
- The responsible office will tell you which documents you need to submit. Important documents are generally
  Proof of identity (identity card or passport)
  Marriage certificate (if your name has changed due to marriage)
  Curriculum vitae
  Proof of your professional qualifications (e.g. certificates, professional certificate)
  Proof of training
  Proof of your relevant professional experience as a pharmaceutical-technical assistant
  Proof of other relevant knowledge for working as a pharmaceutical technical assistant
  You do not yet live or work in Germany? Then you may need to provide proof: You want to work in the profession in Germany. Proof includes, for example, applications for a job, invitations to job interviews, personal statement
- You usually hand in these documents later. The responsible office will inform you when you should hand in the documents:
  Proof of your personal suitability: criminal record extract or certificate of good conduct from your country of origin. The certificate must not be older than 3 months at the time of application.
  Proof of your health suitability: Medical certificate. The certificate must not be older than 3 months at the time of application.
  Proof of your German language skills: Language certificate
- The responsible office will tell you which documents you need to submit as a simple copy, a certified copy or the original.
Fees / Costs

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.
Deadlines & processing time

What deadlines must be paid attention to?
There is no deadline.
Sometimes documents are still missing from the procedure. The responsible office will then inform you by when you must submit the documents.
How long does it take to process
The processing time varies.
The responsible office will inform you if any documents are missing.
Legal Bases
More Information

This page has been automatically translated by DeepL. We cannot guarantee that the translation is correct.
 The official information in German is complete and correct. 11.11.2025

Apply for recognition as a pharmaceutical-technical assistant with a professional qualification from the EU/EEA/Switzerland

Basic information

Requirements

Procedure

More information

Necessary Documents

Fees / Costs

Deadlines & processing time

What deadlines must be paid attention to?

How long does it take to process

Legal Bases

More Information