Heilpraktiker licence for psychologists

Course description

The practice of medicine, limited to the field of psychotherapy by qualified psychologists, requires a licence under the Heilpraktikergesetz (Alternative Medicine Act). In principle, the practice of medicine encompasses any professional or commercial activity aimed at diagnosing, curing or alleviating illnesses, ailments or physical injuries in humans, even if carried out in the service of others.The licence can be obtained through a special, simplified procedure. A separate examination is not required. You must notify the Public Health Authority (meldestelle-ihm.gsr@muenchen.de) of the actual independent practice of the profession or the opening of a practice no later than the day of opening or commencement of activities. Anyone who fails to comply with the statutory reporting obligation is committing an administrative offence and may face a fine of up to 2,500 euros.It is expressly pointed out that qualified psychologists who have been granted limited authorisation under the Heilpraktikergesetz (Alternative Medicine Practitioners Act) are not authorised to practise general medicine.

In cases of doubt regarding foreign educational qualifications and examination certificates, an expert opinion shall be sought from the Central Office for Foreign Education at the Secretariat of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs in Bonn.

Prerequisites

The licence may be granted subject to the following conditions:

• Main residence within the city of Munich or commencing work as a non-medical practitioner for the first time within the city of Munich
• You must be at least 25 years of age
• You have obtained a university degree as a qualified psychologist, whereby the subject ‘Clinical Psychology’ must have been the subject of a final or module examination
• Proof of good character
• Fitness to practise

The following procedure must be followed:

1. Application: You must submit your complete application for a licence to practise psychotherapy as a non-medical practitioner, together with all the necessary documents, either online or by post
2. Your application will be assessed: If your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation of receipt by email
3. Licence notification: Once your application has been processed, you will receive a licence notification
4. Establishing a practice, registering and deregistering healthcare professions: You must notify the Public Health Department (meldestelle-ihm.gsr@muenchen.de) of the actual independent practice of your profession or the opening of your practice no later than the day on which you open your practice or commence your activities. Anyone who fails to comply with the statutory reporting obligation is committing an administrative offence and may face a fine of up to 2,500 euros.

Note: In cases of doubt regarding foreign educational qualifications and examination certificates, an expert opinion will be sought from the Central Office for Foreign Education at the Secretariat of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs in Bonn.​

Required documents

• Application form (for postal applications only)
• Valid identity document: identity card or passport (copy)
• Concise (tabular) CV
• Medical certificate (not more than 3 months old at the time of application)
• Certificate of good conduct for submission to a public authority – document type ‘OB’ (not older than 3 months at the time of application)
• Degree certificate, examination certificate and transcript of records for the degree programme in Psychology. In the event of any doubts regarding foreign educational qualifications and examination certificates, an expert opinion will be sought from the Central Office for Foreign Education at the Secretariat of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs in Bonn.
• Confirmation of the accuracy of the documents submitted (only for applications submitted by post)
• Declaration regarding criminal proceedings (standard form)
• Only applicants who do not reside within the city limits of Munich: Declaration and proof of first-time employment within the city limits of Munich, for example, submission of a valid tenancy agreement for practice premises, an employment contract or similar

Legal basis

• Act on the Professional Practice of Medicine without a Licence – the Act on Non-Medical Practitioners (HeilprG)
• First Implementing Ordinance to the Alternative Medicine Practitioners Act (HeilprGDV1)
• Notice from the Bavarian State Ministry of Health, Care and Prevention on the enforcement of the Alternative Medicine Practitioners Act
• Guidelines on the assessment of prospective alternative practitioners pursuant to Section 2 of the Alternative Practitioners Act in conjunction with Section 2(1)(i) of the First Implementing Ordinance to the Alternative Practitioners Act (Federal Gazette)
• Health Services Act (GDG)
• Bavarian Administrative Procedure Act (BayVwVfG)
• Costs Act in conjunction with the Schedule of Costs (KG)