Bundesportal | Apply for recognition as a medical technologist for laboratory analysis with a professional qualification from a third country

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Hesse

Last update or date of publication

September 25, 2026

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The profession of medical technologist for laboratory analysis is regulated in Germany. This means that you need a state permit to work as a medical technologist for laboratory analysis in Germany. With the permit, you can use the job title "Medical technologist for laboratory analysis" or "Medical technologist for laboratory analysis" and work in the profession.

You can also obtain a state permit from the competent authority 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.

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 include, 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.

As of January 1, 2023, vocational training programs for professions in medical technology were reformed in Germany. The new Law on Professions in Medical Technology is now in effect. The profession established under this law is Medical Technologist for Laboratory Analytics. There is a transition period for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications based on the old law on medical technical assistants. Until December 31, 2026, foreign professional qualifications may, under certain circumstances, still be provisionally recognized as Medical Laboratory Technician (female) or Medical Laboratory Technician (male).

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 medical technologist for laboratory analysis or medical technologist for laboratory analysis
Proof of other relevant knowledge for working as a medical technologist for laboratory analysis or medical technologist for laboratory analysis
Declaration that you have not yet submitted an application for recognition
Perhaps: You come from a third country and do not yet live or work in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland? Then you must provide proof: You want to work in the profession in Germany. Proof can be, for example, an application for an entry visa for gainful employment, job applications, invitations to interviews, a business plan or a location note from the Central Service Center for Professional Recognition (ZSBA).

You usually submit these documents later. The responsible office will inform you when you should submit the documents:

Proof of your personal suitability: for example, an extract from your criminal record or a certificate of good conduct from your country of origin.
Proof of your health suitability: for example, a medical certificate
Proof of your German language skills

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

Preconditions

You have a professional qualification as a medical technologist for laboratory analysis or medical technologist for laboratory analysis from a third country.
You want to work in Germany as a medical technologist for laboratory analysis or medical technologist for laboratory analysis.
Personal suitability: You are reliable for work as a medical technologist for laboratory analysis and have no criminal record.
Health suitability: You are mentally and physically fit to work as a Medical Technologist for Laboratory Analysis or Medical Technologist for Laboratory Analysis.
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).

Hints

Notification of equivalence

The equivalence assessment (recognition procedure) also takes place during the licensing procedure. You can apply for a separate notification of the result of the assessment.

Procedure for ethnic German repatriates

As a late repatriate, you can go through the recognition procedure either in accordance with the laws mentioned here or in accordance with the Federal Expellee Act. You can decide for yourself. The responsible office will advise you which procedure is right for you.

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.

The relevant office will inform you about the costs.

Basis for legal action

Section 1, paragraph 1, item 1; Section 1, paragraph 2 of the Act on Professions in Medical Technology (Medical Technology Professions Act—MTBG)

Sections 59 et seq. of the Training and Examination Regulations for Medical Technologists (MT Training and Examination Regulations—MTAPrV)

§ 46 of the Act on Professions in Medical Technology (MT Professions Act—MTBG)

§ 75 Law on Medical Technology Professions (MT Professions Act—MTBG)

Legal Remedies

You can take legal action against the decision of the competent authority within a certain period of time (for example, by lodging 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.

Procedure

Application

You submit an application to the competent authority for permission to use the professional title "Medical technologist for laboratory analysis" or "Medical technologist for laboratory analysis". You can hand in the application with the documents to the competent authority or send it by post. Do not send any originals. Sometimes you can also send the application electronically.

Examination of equivalence

The competent authority will then check whether you meet all the requirements. An important requirement is the equivalence of your professional qualification. The competent body will compare your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification as a medical technologist for laboratory analysis. 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 "Medical technologist for laboratory analysis" or "Medical technologist for laboratory analysis".

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, the competent authority will tell you the main differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification. It will also tell you why you cannot compensate for these significant differences.

The competent authority will also tell you what compensatory measures you can take to offset the substantial differences.

If you decide not to take compensatory measures, your professional qualification will not be recognized. You will then not be allowed to work in Germany as a medical technologist for laboratory analysis.

Compensatory measures

There are various compensation measures:

Adaptation course: The adaptation course lasts a maximum of three years.
Knowledge examination: The knowledge examination tests your knowledge in certain subjects and areas. The knowledge test consists of an oral and a practical part.

As a rule, you can choose between an adaptation period or a knowledge test.

If you successfully complete the compensation measure and meet all other requirements, you will receive permission to use the professional title "Medical Technologist for Laboratory Analysis".

The appropriate office will provide you with information.

Deadlines

Sometimes documents are still missing from the procedure. The responsible office will then inform you by when you must submit the documents.

Processing time

3 months
The responsible office will confirm that your application and documents have been received 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 3 months.

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