Germanytelc Deutsch B1-B2 Pflege
Definition
telc Deutsch B1-B2 Pflege is a German language exam for nursing professionals run by telc, testing reading, listening, writing and speaking at CEFR levels B1 and B2. German state recognition offices accept the B2 result (telc Deutsch B2 Pflege) as proof of the German needed for the nursing title.
Also called: telc Deutsch B1·B2 Pflege, telc B2 Pflege, telc German B1-B2 Nursing, telc Pflege
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What is telc Deutsch B1-B2 Pflege?
It is a two-level exam: one sitting can show German at B1 or at B2 on the CEFR. The content reflects everyday nursing work, including a writing task based on the kind of report nurses complete on shift. It is offered as a digital, hybrid or paper exam.
telc lists the parts as follows:
- Written exam, with no break: Listening (4 parts, 25 minutes), Reading (4 parts) and Language Elements (2 parts) together in 60 minutes, then Writing (1 part, 30 minutes).
- Oral exam: Speaking (3 parts, about 16 minutes) as a pair exam, with 20 minutes' preparation. You talk about experiences, discuss a controversial topic and give a short presentation.
It cannot be taken as a partial exam, so you sit every part in one go.
Who needs it
Internationally trained nurses applying for the permit to use the German title Pflegefachfrau or Pflegefachmann must prove German at B2. The Bavarian Office for Nursing (Bayerisches Landesamt für Pflege) lists the telc certificate B2 Pflege among accepted certificates, alongside Goethe-Zertifikat B2, Goethe-Zertifikat B2 PRO Pflege, TestDaF level 3, ÖSD B2 and others. The Darmstadt regional council in Hesse accepts "telc Deutsch B2 Pflege (or higher)".
Bavaria says it currently requires no separate specialist language exam for nurses, and the certificate is only needed by the time the permit is issued. You may be asked for it after your compensation measure, such as an adaptation course or knowledge test. Each state keeps its own list, so check the authority handling your recognition procedure.
Doctors are different: they normally need a B2 certificate and then a Fachsprachprüfung at C1.
How to take it
- Confirm with your recognition authority that it accepts telc Deutsch B2 Pflege and whether it has any restrictions on where the test was taken.
- Prepare with the free mock exam and audio that telc publishes for this test.
- Book at a licensed telc exam centre in Germany or abroad.
- Sit the written and oral parts.
- Send the certificate, or a certified copy, to your authority when it asks for it.
Common problems
A B1 result is not enough for the nursing title. Bavaria's leaflet also says that from 23 June 2022 it no longer accepts telc certificates from Serbian and Bosnian telc institutes, which shows that authorities can restrict where a certificate was issued. Fees vary by exam centre and are not set centrally on the telc page.
Plan the order of your steps. Because Bavaria and Hesse only need the certificate by the time the permit is issued, or after a compensation measure, you can apply for recognition before you have it. Keep the original safe and ask the authority whether it wants the original or a certified copy. Language rules for a visa, such as the recognition partnership, are separate from the rule for the nursing title, so check both.
Questions
Recognition is handled by the states, and each publishes its own list. Bavaria and Hesse both list telc B2 Pflege. Check the list of the authority that handles your application.
Not always. Bavaria says you only need to submit it by the time the permit is issued, and it will ask you for it. Either way, you must reach B2 before the title is granted.
The result will show B1, which is below what nursing authorities require. You would need to sit the exam again or take another accepted B2 exam.
It is designed for nursing. Doctors usually need a recognised general B2 certificate and then the medical Fachsprachprüfung at C1, so check with the medical chamber.
telc says this exam cannot be taken as a partial examination, so you sit all parts together.
Yes. Bavaria and Hesse both list Goethe-Zertifikat B2 as well as telc certificates, and Bavaria also lists Goethe-Zertifikat B2 PRO Pflege.