Kenntnisprüfung in Lower Saxony
In Lower Saxony, the recognition of foreign nursing qualifications goes through the Landesamt für Soziales, Jugend und Familie (State Office for Social Affairs, Youth and Family). Here you find everything important about the Kenntnisprüfung (knowledge test), costs and registration – step by step.
Last updated: 2026-10
Content created with AI assistance from authority websites, application forms and the BIBB Anerkennungs-Finder — details may change
Translated from the German original, which is authoritative. Sources are German official pages.
Responsible authority
Niedersächsisches Landesamt für Soziales, Jugend und Familie, Lüneburg branch office (responsible recognition authority for nursing professions)
Applications from all over Lower Saxony go to the branch office in Lüneburg. Apply with the Landesamt's form – do not send originals.
https://soziales.niedersachsen.de/startseite/soziales_amp_gesundheit/gesundheit_und_pflege/nichtarztliche_heilberufe/anerkennungsverfahren_von_im_ausland_abgeschlossenen_ausbildungen/anerkennungsverfahren-von-auslandischen-gesundheitsfachberufen-101995.htmlExam format
- Oral part: case presentation and professional discussion (Fachgespräch) on the competence areas (Kompetenzbereiche) of the PflAPrV (nursing training and examination regulation)
- Practical part: care of patients in 2–4 nursing situations (real or simulated, § 45 PflAPrV) at a hospital or nursing school
- No written part – the Kenntnisprüfung is purely oral and practical (§ 45 PflAPrV)
- The exam language is German; B2 level is usually required
Costs
Feststellungsbescheid (assessment decision) approx. €200 (with a Verzichtserklärung (declaration of waiver) approx. €100), plus €515 for an external expert report if required; the Erlaubnisurkunde (licence certificate) costs €53 (information sheet of the Landesamt, as of 10/2026). The institution where you take the Kenntnisprüfung invoices you for the exam itself – the amount varies by institution. Many hospitals in Lower Saxony cover the costs – talk to your employer!
How to register
- Wait for the Defizitbescheid (deficit notice) from the Lower Saxony recognition authority – it states that you are allowed to take the Kenntnisprüfung
- Contact an exam school or exam centre and ask for a date (waiting times of several months are common – register early!)
- Submit the registration documents: Defizitbescheid, proof of identity, B2 language certificate if required
- Pay the exam fee and wait for the invitation
- Before the exam, find out which care area (e.g. acute care, long-term care) will be tested
Exam locations & waiting times
Exams take place at recognised nursing schools and hospitals, including in Hannover, Braunschweig, Oldenburg, Osnabrück and Göttingen. This large, rural Land offers many centres – contact several at the same time.
Tip
Lower Saxony is large and at first glance the responsibilities seem confusing. Tip: The portal 'Anerkennung in Deutschland' (anerkennung-in-deutschland.de) always shows you the currently responsible office with its Anerkennungs-Finder (recognition finder).
Language certificate in Lower Saxony
B2 (ALTE) OR nursing-language competence exam (pflegefachsprachliche Kompetenzprüfung) at a Lower Saxony nursing school
FSP introduced 02/2026. Special feature: a passed Kenntnisprüfung [knowledge test] replaces the language proof!
Language exam (FSP) and language certificates at a glanceReady for your exam in Lower Saxony?
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