German for doctors: B2 and the Fachsprachprüfung (FSP)

When doctors from Uzbekistan plan to work in Germany, many of their questions are about German: which level is needed, what the FSP is and where it is taken. The information below is taken from the pages of official bodies as of 2026-10-04.

The basic rule: B2 and professional language

In 2014 (26–27 June) the conference of health ministers of the German federal states (Gesundheitsministerkonferenz, GMK) agreed the language requirement for foreign doctors^[1]:

• general German — at B2;
• medical professional language (Fachsprache) — aimed at C1.

Professional language is tested in a separate exam, the Fachsprachprüfung (FSP). It is held by the state medical chamber (Landesärztekammer); the result is usually valid for 3 years^[1].

How it relates to the Approbation

To work independently as a doctor in Germany you need the Approbation, the licence to practise. Under Bundesärzteordnung § 3, one of its conditions is the knowledge of German needed to practise the profession^[4]. The B2 certificate and the FSP are used to prove exactly this condition. The Approbation has other conditions as well (equivalence of medical training and so on); they are outside the scope of this page.

Examples from the federal states

The FSP procedure differs in each state. Two examples:

Berlin

According to the Ärztekammer Berlin page you first need a general German B2 certificate, then you sit the Fachsprachprüfung held by the chamber. The "telc Deutsch B2-C1 Medizin" certificate does not replace this exam^[2].

Nordrhein

The Ärztekammer Nordrhein has held the FSP since 2014; the exam is modelled on an OSCE (structured practical clinical examination). The administrative fee stated on the chamber's page is currently 430 euros^[3]. The price may change; check the chamber's page before you apply.

In Baden-Württemberg the exam is taken through the Landesärztekammer Baden-Württemberg^[1]. First find out which state you will apply in, then read that state's rules.

A practical sequence

1. Take your general German from A1 to B1. At this stage Goethe or telc exams can serve as interim checks (Goethe B1, telc B1).
2. Move up to B2 and get a B2 certificate (Goethe B2, telc B2). Ask the state where you will apply which B2 certificate it accepts.
3. Prepare for medical professional language: talking to a patient (anamnesis), presenting to a colleague, writing documents.
4. Apply to the relevant chamber for the FSP.

Where to get a B2 certificate in Uzbekistan

The Goethe-Institut Tashkent holds exams from A1 to C2, including Goethe-Zertifikat B2. From 1 May 2025 the B2 price is 2 200 000 so'm (external candidates) and 1 700 000 so'm (participants of a Goethe-Institut course)^[6]. Places for B2 open on the 1st of every month at 11:00 (Tashkent time)^[5]. Prices and procedures may change — check the official page. More: Goethe exam in Tashkent.

Find out in advance which B2 certificates the state where you will apply accepts. For example, Hessen's guidance for nurses lists telc, Goethe and ÖSD B2 as well as TestDaF; for doctors each chamber may have its own list.

Checklist before submitting documents

• Which state you will apply in and who holds the FSP there.
• Which B2 certificate is accepted and how long it is valid.
• The FSP price, how to get a date and how long the result is valid.
• Which documents the embassy asks for the visa.

There is a requirement for nurses too

Nursing and other healthcare professions also have a language requirement, but it is set separately in each state. Example: Hessen's guidance of August 2023 requires at least B2 general German (telc, Goethe or ÖSD B2, or TestDaF level 3)^[7]. In another state the requirement may be different.

Where Prufling helps on this route

To be direct: Prufling has no preparation for the FSP, medical German or C1 exams. Prufling prepares for the general Goethe and telc exams at A1, A2, B1 and B2 — that is, the general-language stage of the route, up to the B2 certificate. At this stage the exam-format exercises, Modelltest and AI scoring for Schreiben/Sprechen may be useful. For the FSP you will need other resources.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules and prices change. Before applying, check the page of the relevant Landesärztekammer and the requirements of the German embassy in Tashkent.