Anerkennung einer Weiterbildung zur Erlangung einer Fachtierarzt- oder Zusatzbezeichnung nach Weiterbildungsordnung der Tierärztekammer Niedersachsen bei Qualifikation aus Drittstaaten

Have you completed further training/qualification as a specialist veterinarian abroad? Then you can apply for recognition as a specialist veterinarian in Germany under certain conditions.

The qualification as a specialist veterinarian must be recognized in Germany. This means that you need recognition if you wish to use the title "specialist veterinarian" for your specialization in your chosen federal state.

Veterinarians can acquire further designations after completing their training and receiving their license to practice as a veterinarian.

The aim of further training is to impart in-depth knowledge, experience and skills that enable and entitle veterinarians to use other designations in addition to their professional title as an indication of special or other additional knowledge or skills in a specific veterinary field (specialist veterinarian) or area (additional designation). It also serves to ensure the quality of veterinary practice.

The corresponding specialist veterinarian or additional designation may only be used if the prescribed further training has been successfully completed and the designation has been recognized by the chamber.

Note: You may only use the designation after recognition for your specialization if there is a corresponding further training designation in Germany.

• Curriculum vitae with details of completed further training and professional experience
• Proof of identity (identity card or passport)
• Proof of German license to practice medicine or professional license and proof of equivalent level of training
• Proof of further training and certificates of professional practice
• Additional evidence to verify equivalence
• Written declaration as to whether you have already submitted an application for recognition to another veterinary association.
• Further documents to be submitted can be found in the linked training regulations of the Lower Saxony Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons.

If your documents are not in German, you must submit German translations of your documents. The translations must be made by translators who are publicly appointed or authorized.

• You must already have a valid state professional license (Approbation) as a veterinarian or a professional permit in Germany.
• You must provide proof of the equivalence of your professional qualification as a specialist veterinarian.
• The scope of the proof can be found in the linked further training regulations of the Lower Saxony Chamber of Veterinarians.

Before submitting the application, you must already have a license to practice as a veterinarian or a professional permit in Germany.

You apply for recognition of your further training title as a specialist veterinarian at the relevant state veterinary chamber:

• First, you submit your application and the required documents to the veterinary chamber of the federal state in which you wish to work.
• You may be asked to submit any missing documents.
• The competent body will check whether your qualification is equivalent. It is equivalent if there are no significant differences between your foreign qualification and the German further training qualification.
• If your qualification is recognized as a specialist veterinarian, you can use the specialist title in Germany. You will receive a notification.

If significant differences are found, the equivalence of your qualification as a specialist veterinarian will not be certified:

• You will receive a statement of reasons.
• You can begin further training to acquire the designation at an authorized institution (which would employ you).

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

Recognition of the qualification always depends on the respective state law and the standards of the competent veterinary association of the place of residence or intended place of residence.

• Appeal
• Further information on how to lodge an appeal can be found in the notification of your application
• Appeal to the administrative court

• Recognition to use the title of specialist veterinarian for professional qualifications from third countries Issue
• Qualifications as a specialist veterinarian from third countries are subject to recognition. Third countries are all countries that do not belong to the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
• The competent authority checks whether there is equivalence between the foreign qualification and the German qualification.
• Prerequisite: license to practice as a veterinarian or a professional permit
• Processing time: probably within 4 months of receipt of the complete documents
• Responsible: State chambers of veterinarians

Chamber of Veterinarians of Lower Saxony

Forms available: No.Written form required: Yes.Informal application possible: Yes.Personal appearance required: No. Online services available: No.