Kenntnisprüfung

The Kenntnisprüfung verifies whether the specialist knowledge of foreign physicians is comparable with German standards. The contents of the German course of study are used as a comparison. The focus of the Kenntnisprüfung is on the subjects of internal medicine and surgery. In addition, interdisciplinary questions on emergency medicine, clinical pharmacology / pharmacotherapy, imaging procedures, radiation protection or legal issues of medical practice are asked. 

Furthermore, it is possible for the competent authority to specify a subject or a cross-sectional area as relevant to the examination in advance. This procedure is often chosen if significant differences between medical training in Germany and the applicant’s training are identified in a particular area.

If deficits are identified in the equivalency examination, the Kenntnisprüfung must be taken. In order to be admitted to the examination, an explicit „application for the Kenntnisprüfung“ must be submitted to the responsible state or district government (application form for Kenntnisprüfung). However, registration is not required if the Kenntnisprüfung has been imposed by means of an appealable decision after completion of the equivalency examination. Furthermore, the Kenntnisprüfung can be taken independently of the Fachsprachenprüfung, i.e. before or after the Fachsprachenprüfung.

Please make sure that you submit the application form in time! It is best to submit your application at least 6 months before the desired examination date.

To successfully pass the exam, you should have at least the following knowledge and skills:

Knowledge of:

• therapy concepts for the patient
• the German Heilberufsgesetz and professional regulations, about patients‘ rights and about living wills
• the German Narcotics Law, about issues of transfusions and transplantations, about the prescription of drugs and about the Radiation Protection Ordinance
• the German Criminal Code, on issues such as intentional or negligent homicide or bodily injury, failure to render assistance, physician euthanasia, and medical confidentiality.

Skill:

• Communicate adequately with patients
• Confident and correct use of common medical terminology
• Application of common clinical examination techniques
• Correctly record specific pathologies of the patient
• Writing medical letters
• Arrangement of meaningful differential diagnostic examinations
• Initiation of necessary therapies
• Correct interpretation of important diagnostic instruments, such as ECG and laboratory findings.

1. First the Fachsprachprüfung exam, then the Kenntnisprüfung

It is advisable to take the Fachsprachprüfung first and then the Kenntnisprüfung. This is because successfully passing the Fachsprachprüfung provides confidence for the Kenntnisprüfung. Passing the Fachsprachprüfung ensures that medical facts can be presented in a patient-oriented manner. In addition, the Fachsprachprüfung also deals with the doctor’s report or letter, the collegial discussion as well as questions on diagnostics and therapeutic procedures. In contrast to the Kenntnisprüfung, however, the Fachsprachprüfung can be repeated as often as desired, whereas the Kenntnisprüfung can only be repeated a maximum of two times.

2. Study with appropriate literature

Often the Kenntnisprüfung is not passed because the examinees have not prepared well enough. But with the right literature you are on the safe side. There are some good reference books on Amazon for preparing for the Kenntnisprüfung.

3. Gain professional experience in internal medicine or surgery

If the Fachsprachprüfung has been successfully passed, it is possible to apply for a temporary medical professional permit at the responsible state or district government. The work permit is helpful in order to gain professional experience even without the possession of the license to practice medicine. In addition, this professional experience is a good prerequisite for successfully preparing for the Kenntnisprüfung. Since the focus of the examination is on the two subjects „Internal Medicine“ and „Surgery“, it is advantageous to work in these departments.

4. Take part in a preparatory course

To successfully prepare for the Kenntnisprüfung, it is recommended that you attend a preparatory course. It should be noted that the course provider has sufficient experience on the Kenntnisprüfung and actually instructors with medical expertise. In addition, you should seek good advice beforehand, because only a high price does not guarantee quality.

The best courses for the Kenntnisprüfung

The right language school is the be-all and end-all for a successful Kenntnisprüfung. Because if you pass the Kenntnisprüfung directly at the first attempt, you save a lot of time, nerves and money. We have selected the best courses for the Kenntnisprüfung that we can recommend.

5. Schedule time to study!

Schedule time to study between the preparation course and the exam date! So do not look for a preparation course for the Kenntnisprüfung only when the examination date is imminent. In the worst case, there may not even be a place left in the course! In addition, a lot of material is taught in the preparation courses, which must be worked on independently. The independent processing will take some time!

6. Form study groups

In order to prepare optimally for the Kenntnisprüfung, it is helpful to form study groups or to exchange information with other physicians in general. Our Facebook group is particularly suitable for this purpose. You can access this Facebook group here: Facebook group for your license to practice.

Job search for licensed foreign physicians

With our physician recruitment service, we support licensed physicians in finding an employer in Germany free of charge. While doctors who apply on their own sometimes wait months for a response, with us you will receive feedback on your application status within a week. Through our unique contacts to decision makers in hospitals, we increase your chances of getting a great job quickly.