Approbation as a dentist: Bavaria, NRW and Lower Saxony compared

Translation notice: This text is a translation. Only the German version is binding.

As of: 30.09.2026. This article is for dentists with a degree from a third country. Third countries are all countries outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland.

The Approbation is the full and permanent licence to practise dentistry in Germany. We use the German word because the authorities use it.

Important: The law changes on 01.11.2026. Some information in this article may then be out of date. See the box below. We will update the article as soon as the new rules are fully published.

In short

The Approbation is regulated by federal law. But the federal states (Bundesländer) run the procedure. This is why there are differences. The three most important ones:

1. Proof that you want to work in the state. NRW names three clear options. One of them is a Hospitation (observation placement in a practice) of at least 14 days. For people who live abroad, Lower Saxony names, for example, a Hospitation of at least three months. Bavaria does not publish any details on this.
2. Cost of the Kenntnisprüfung (knowledge test). One full round costs about 1.300 € in Bavaria, 2.500 € in NRW and 2.925 € in Lower Saxony.
3. B2 certificate. NRW and Lower Saxony require a B2 certificate. In Bavaria, you do not have to submit a separate B2 certificate for the Fachsprachenprüfung (specialist language exam).

What is the same in all federal states

These rules are federal law. So they are the same in Bavaria, NRW and Lower Saxony.

• The Kenntnisprüfung has three parts: written, oral and practical. You take them one after the other. You may only take the next part after you have passed the previous one. (ZApprO § 104)
• Each failed part can be repeated twice. So you have three attempts per part. (ZApprO § 118)
• The authority must make sure that you can take the Kenntnisprüfung within six months after the decision (Bescheid). (ZApprO § 105 Abs. 3)
• The Kenntnisprüfung is held in German. (ZApprO § 111 Abs. 1)
• For the Approbation you need specialist language skills at level C1. The usual proof is the Fachsprachenprüfung (FSP) at the dental chamber (Zahnärztekammer).
• A Berufserlaubnis (temporary permit to practise) is valid for a maximum of two years in all three states.

The three states compared

All exam fees apply to each attempt. If you repeat a part, you pay for this part again.

Bavaria (Bayern)

• Competent authority for all degrees from third countries is the Regierung von Oberbayern. The ZAABY is based there. It is the central recognition office for licensed health professions in Bavaria (Zentrale Anerkennungsstelle für Approbationsberufe in Bayern). You can also apply online.
• Proof of work in the state: The authority writes that the profession is to be practised in Bavaria. Which proof it requires: not verifiable from official sources. Ask the ZAABY before you apply.
• Fachsprachenprüfung: The Bayerische Landeszahnärztekammer holds it. The eazf organises it. It is based on general German at level B2. You do not need a separate B2 test or a B2 certificate for it. The exam takes about 60 minutes. You can repeat it as often as you like, at the earliest two months after the last attempt.
• Kenntnisprüfung: It takes place at one of the four Bavarian universities with a dental faculty. The allocation usually depends on your place of residence. According to the authority, the exam starts 1 to 6 months after registration. You cannot choose your dates.
• Tip from the authority: If you want to apply for both the Approbation and the Berufserlaubnis, submit both applications at the same time if possible. The Berufserlaubnis generally ends after two years. As a rule, there is no right to an extension because of the Kenntnisprüfung.

North Rhine-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen)

• Competent authority for the whole state is the Bezirksregierung Münster, Dezernat 241 (ZAG-aH). The authority currently does not offer personal consultations. You send documents by post. Documents sent by email are not processed.
• Proof of work in the state: One of three proofs is enough: a job offer in NRW, a registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung) for a place of residence in NRW, or a Hospitation certificate for at least 14 days (or an internship in NRW). The authority must remain competent during the whole procedure.
• B2 certificate: The authority publishes a list of recognised providers, for example Goethe-Institut, telc, TestDaF and ÖSD. Internal exams of language schools or university language centres are not recognised. The procedure only continues when competence is clear and the B2 certificate has been submitted.
• Kenntnisprüfung and FSP: Both are held by a dental chamber, either Nordrhein or Westfalen-Lippe. The fees are the same at both chambers. The rule for assigning you to a chamber: not verifiable from official sources.
• Berufserlaubnis: Possible for a maximum of two years. One requirement is a passed Fachsprachenprüfung.

Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen)

• Competent authority is the NiZzA (Niedersächsischer Zweckverband zur Approbationserteilung) in Hannover.
• Proof of work in the state: You must make it credible that you want to work in Lower Saxony. Examples from the authority: a written job offer (Einstellungszusage) or a registration certificate (Meldebestätigung) for a place of residence in Lower Saxony. For people who live abroad, the authority names, for example, a job offer or a Hospitation contract for at least three months with an employer in Lower Saxony.
• Documents: The checklist requires, among other things, a personalised overview of the study subjects with hours and a personalised curriculum.
• Fachsprachenprüfung: You do not register yourself. When all documents are complete, the NiZzA asks for an advance payment of 580 €. Only transfer the money then. After that, the NiZzA registers you with the Zahnärztekammer Niedersachsen. Without a B2 certificate, registration is not possible. You can repeat the FSP as often as you like.
• Kenntnisprüfung: The exam takes place in Hannover. Dates are given out according to a waiting list. You cannot choose your dates. You pay the fee before each attempt, but only after the NiZzA asks you to.
• Approbation fee: It is charged separately and only at the end of the procedure. The amount: not verifiable from official sources.

Box: What changes from 01.11.2026

A new federal law applies from 01.11.2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 225). One point is especially important for this comparison: If you live in Germany, you will apply in the state where you live. The state where you want to work will then no longer be decisive.

This may change the proofs of work in the table above. The regulation (Verordnung) for the new law has not been published yet. What the three states will change: not verifiable from official sources. You can find more about the new law in our guides.

What this article does not answer

• Which federal state suits your personal case.
• Whether your studies will be recognised as equivalent or whether you need the Kenntnisprüfung.
• Questions about visas and residence.
• Which proof of work Bavaria requires.
• Which chamber in NRW will hold your exam.
• Which rules the three states will apply after 01.11.2026.

This article is general information and not legal advice. Only the competent authority can give binding information. For questions about your individual case, contact the authority or a lawyer.

Continue with ZahnPrüf

In the ZahnPrüf app, there is a "Fahrplan zur Approbation" (roadmap to the Approbation) for each federal state: all steps, documents and costs with sources. One roadmap is free. You can also practise for the Fachsprachenprüfung and the Kenntnisprüfung there.

Sources

All sources accessed on 30.09.2026. The sources are in German.

1. NiZzA: Checkliste Antragsunterlagen Approbation Zahnarzt/Zahnärztin, Drittstaat. As of: January 2024. https://www.nizza.niedersachsen.de/download/203129/Zahnaerztin_Zahnarzt_Checkliste_Approbation_Drittstaat.pdf
2. NiZzA: Informationsblatt zur Kenntnisprüfung im Bereich der Zahnmedizin (with excerpt ZApprO §§ 104–118). No date. https://www.nizza.niedersachsen.de/download/172127/Infoblatt_Kenntnispruefung_Zahnaerzte.pdf
3. NiZzA: Informationsblatt Fachsprachprüfung für Zahnärzte. As of: 25.09.2025. https://www.nizza.niedersachsen.de/download/221523/Zahnaerztin_Zahnarzt_Informationsblatt_Fachsprachpruefung.pdf
4. Bezirksregierung Münster: Approbation – Drittstaat. No date. https://www.brms.nrw.de/themen/gesundheit-und-soziales/zentrale-anerkennungsstelle-fuer-gesundheitsberufe/approbation/drittstaat
5. Bezirksregierung Münster: Merkblatt und Antragsunterlagen Drittstaat, with annex „Anerkannte Sprachnachweise“. As of: May 2026. https://www.brms.nrw.de/system/files/media/document/file/241_zag-ah_ds_abschluss.pdf
6. Gebührenordnung der Zahnärztekammer Nordrhein für Gleichwertigkeitsprüfungen und Sprachprüfung, last amended 28.11.2020. https://recht.nrw.de/lrmb/verwaltungsvorschrift/gebuehrenordnung-der-zahnaerztekammer-nordrhein-fuer-die-durchfuehrung/
7. Gebührenordnung der Zahnärztekammer Westfalen-Lippe für die Prüfungen zur Ermittlung eines gleichwertigen zahnärztlichen Kenntnisstandes sowie der zahnärztlichen Sprachkenntnisse. https://recht.nrw.de/lrmb/verwaltungsvorschrift/gebuehrenordnung-der-zahnaerztekammer-westfalen-lippe-fuer-die-3/
8. BayernPortal: Zahnarzt/Zahnärztin; Beantragung einer Approbation bei Ausbildung in einem Drittstaat. As of: 10.09.2026. https://www.bayernportal.de/dokumente/leistung/938085061561
9. Regierung von Oberbayern: Durchführung der Kenntnisprüfung für Zahnärztinnen und Zahnärzte. No date. https://www.regierung.oberbayern.bayern.de/service/berufsqualifikation/approbationsberufe/faq-kp-zahnaerzte/index.html
10. Bayerische Landeszahnärztekammer: Verfahrensordnung für Sprachtests bei Anträgen auf Erteilung einer zahnärztlichen Berufszulassung. No date. https://blzk.de/blzk/site.nsf/gfx/verfahrensordnung-sprachtest.pdf/$file/verfahrensordnung-sprachtest.pdf
11. Gesetz zur Beschleunigung der Anerkennungsverfahren vom 22.07.2026, BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 225, § 16 Abs. 1a ZHG (applies from 01.11.2026).