telc Medizin Exam or the Kammer FSP?
First, let's clear up a confusion: the topic here is not the general German telc B2 certificate — that is just a language-level document and does not replace the FSP. The exam that can actually serve as an FSP alternative is telc's medical version, telc Deutsch B2·C1 Medizin.
So for language approval there are, in practice, two routes: most states' Ärztekammer Fachsprachprüfung (FSP), and the telc Deutsch B2·C1 Medizin exam that some states accept. The two measure similar things, but they have critical differences in recognition and format.
Side-by-side comparison
| Kammer FSP | telc B2·C1 Medizin | |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | State Medical Chamber | telc gGmbH (private, licensed centers) |
| Format | 3 oral/written parts × 20 min | Reading+Listening + Speaking + Writing (includes a multiple-choice written section) |
| Fee | ~400–700 € (by state) | ~200–510 € (by center) |
| Where | The relevant state's city | Licensed language centers (Germany + some countries) |
| Recognition | Definitely valid in its own state | Only in some states — variable |
The format of the telc Medizin exam
Unlike the Kammer FSP, telc also has a separate written section:
- Written (~170 min): Listening (Hören, 40 min) + Reading (Lesen, 70 min) + Writing (Schreiben, 60 min — completing an Arztbrief + an email to a colleague).
- Oral (~45 min, 3 parts): Arzt-Patienten-Gespräch + Arzt-Arzt-Gespräch + Angehörigengespräch (a conversation with a patient's relative — usually absent from the Kammer FSP).
- Passing: at least 60% of the possible points.
The most critical point: recognition
This is telc's biggest risk: not every state accepts it. According to Marburger Bund's state table, there are roughly three groups (subject to change — always confirm before applying):
| Status | States |
|---|---|
| ✅ Accepts it | Saarland, Schleswig-Holstein. Hamburg only for EEA/Switzerland-trained, Hessen only for EU/EEA-trained candidates. |
| ⚠️ Case-by-case / conditional | Brandenburg, NRW, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Thüringen (if it meets the C1 medical criteria). |
| ❌ Only its own Kammer FSP | Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Berlin, Bremen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen. |
Source: Marburger Bund state comparison. The list can change quickly; before registering, ask the relevant Approbation authority in writing.
Golden rule: before you register for telc, ask the authority of the state where you'll apply for the Approbation, in writing: "Do you accept telc Medizin?" Don't spend money and time on an exam that won't be accepted.
💶 A striking fact: the same telc Medizin certificate ranges from ~180 € to ~510 € depending on the center (with early-registration discounts). What's more, telc sessions are held far more often — while the Kammer queue can stretch for months, telc runs several times a month at some centers. So if you're in a state that recognizes it, telc can be both cheaper and faster.
Which one is right for you?
- Choose the Kammer FSP — if your target state requires it (most do). The safest route.
- Consider telc — if you're in a state that recognizes it, like Schleswig-Holstein/Hessen/Saarland, and you want cheaper dates and the comfort of the multiple-choice written section.
- The FaMed alternative — recognized in Bayern, Rheinland-Pfalz and Baden-Württemberg (a separate exam).
For state-by-state fee and recognition details, see our state comparison table.
Whichever exam you sit, the format stays the same
Practice the anamnesis → report → presentation flow with the simulator; both telc and the FSP measure this trio.