A naturopath is someone who practices medicine professionally without being a licensed physician. The practice of medicine is any professional or commercial activity undertaken to diagnose, cure, or alleviate illnesses, ailments, or physical injuries in humans, even if it is performed on behalf of others. In addition, the activity must require medical expertise and must not be capable of causing damage to health. To practice medicine, you must apply for and obtain a license from the competent authority.

You must

• be at least 25 years old,
• have at least a secondary school diploma or other equivalent school qualification,
• be able to prove your physical and mental fitness to practice medicine by means of a medical certificate, and
• be able to prove that you are reliable enough to practice medicine by providing an official certificate of good conduct.

• You submit the application to practice medicine, including all necessary documents, to the competent authority.
• The competent authority checks whether all requirements are met.
• You take the knowledge test (written and oral).
• If you pass the exam, you will be granted permission.

Appeal (depending on state law, appeals may be excluded)

Administrative court action

There is no overarching deadline; individual deadlines are determined by exam dates and, where applicable, documentation requirements.

30 days to 3 months

Once you have submitted your application for permission to practice, the competent authority will make a decision promptly. Please note that there is usually a waiting period between registration and the invitation to the examination. In the run-up to the examination, the necessary documents will be requested and invitations will be sent out.

• Identity card or passport,
• birth certificate/name change certificate in the event of name changes
• tabular curriculum vitae
• If applicable, a registration certificate (if the identification document is not an identity card)
• Information from the Federal Central Register (document type 0)
• Proof of successful completion of school
• Certificate from a registered doctor
• Proof of criminal proceedings
• Other documents and evidence, if applicable

• cash
• Bank transfer
• EC card

EC card payment preferred