Germany checklist for nurses

0 of 6 steps ticked

1. Learn German to B1 (visa) and B2 (licence)
2. Apply for recognition to the Land authority (or employer uses the accelerated skilled-worker procedure)
3. Receive the notice listing differences; choose Kenntnisprüfung or adaptation course (or waive the equivalence check)
4. Get a visa for recognition and move, often as a nursing assistant
5. Pass the Kenntnisprüfung or finish the 8-11 month adaptation course
6. Show B2, criminal record and health certificates; receive the licence as Pflegefachfrau/Pflegefachmann

Language test

• German, CEFR B2 (licence): Minimum cefr B2 B2 must be shown before the professional licence is issued. Accepted certificates and any nursing-German test are set by each Land authority (Goethe says an official exam or a test of technical nursing German may be required).
• German, CEFR B1 (visa for adaptation course): Minimum cefr B1 Baden-Wuerttemberg assumes B1 for a residence permit to do an adaptation course from abroad; other Laender may differ.

Licensing exam

• Kenntnisprüfung (knowledge test): Oral part about 45 min plus practical part about 180 min with real or simulated patients, based on the German state exam (Oral part and each care situation can be repeated once)
• Anpassungslehrgang (adaptation course, alternative): Supervised placements, on average 8-11 months, ending in a closing conversation per placement