When German doctors get exam results

Your medical language exam result comes from the state medical chamber. Do not pause your German doctor licence application while you wait for that letter.

There is no single result day for all of Germany. Each state medical chamber runs its own exam office, exam dates, result letters and delivery process.

Who sends the result?

The state medical chamber runs the medical language exam for doctors (Fachsprachprüfung). The chamber, not the hospital, tells you whether you passed.

Keep the email address and postal address from your exam application active. Look in your spam folder every morning after the exam.

Some chambers give information at the exam centre. Others send a letter or email afterwards. Your exam invitation normally names the office handling results.

Why does the wait differ?

The wait depends on your state and the chamber's exam office. It also depends on whether they send the result by email, post, or both.

A Friday exam can mean a longer wait than a Monday exam. Public holidays also slow down letters, certificates and office replies.

Do not compare your date with a doctor in another state. A doctor in Cologne deals with North Rhine-Westphalia. A doctor in Hanover deals with Lower Saxony.

What should you prepare now?

Prepare the papers that expire first. A criminal record extract, certificate of good standing and medical certificate are usually no older than 3 months.

• Scan your passport, CV, medical degree and transcript into one clear PDF folder.
• Check the issue date on your good standing certificate and criminal record extract.
• Ask a German doctor for the medical certificate required by your licensing office.
• Read your licensing office email and list every missing paper on one page.
• Save the chamber phone number and your exam registration number.

You can apply from abroad. The usual licence file includes your application form, passport, CV, degree, transcripts, home licence, language certificate and recent official certificates.

Do not confuse two letters

A passed language exam is one paper in your licence file. It is not your full doctor licence (Approbation).

Your state licensing office decides on the doctor licence. That office may still ask for a translation, a newer certificate, or a missing page.

What to do while waiting

1. Write down the chamber name, exam date and registration number from your invitation.
2. Prepare your recent good standing certificate, criminal record extract and medical certificate.
3. Email the licensing office only if your file has a named missing paper.
4. Keep practising patient interviews until the written pass letter arrives.

The result letter is important. Your next task is already clear: keep your licence file complete and ready to send.

Stand: 2026-10-19. This is a guide, not legal advice. Every German state has its own rules, and rules change. Check with your state's [medical chamber (Landesärztekammer)](https://www.bundesaerztekammer.de/aerztekammern) before you act.