Are you a nursing professional looking to work in Germany? Then the TELC B1-B2 Pflege exam is the essential language certificate on your path to professional recognition. At Lingocare in Frankfurt we conduct this specialised exam at a professional, officially licensed examination centre. In this article you will find everything you need to know about the TELC B1-B2 Pflege exam — from what it covers to how to register.
What is the TELC B1-B2 Pflege Exam?
The TELC B1-B2 Pflege exam is a vocational German language test specifically designed for the communication requirements of the nursing and care sector. Unlike the general TELC B1 or B2 exams, which test everyday and social language, the Pflege variant specifically assesses the language skills needed in daily nursing and medical professional life.
The exam covers both B1 and B2 level and addresses typical communication situations in care — from patient communication and documentation to team communication and conversations with relatives. The certificate is recognised by state authorities, health ministries, and professional associations in Germany for the recognition of foreign nursing qualifications and is in many German federal states the preferred language exam for nursing professionals.
Who needs this certificate?
The TELC B1-B2 Pflege exam is aimed at foreign nursing professionals who wish to have their professional qualifications recognised in Germany and need official proof of language skills in a care context. This includes in particular:
Care workers and geriatric nurses: Professionals from the field of elderly care who wish to work in German care homes, outpatient care services, or geriatric facilities often need this specific language proof as part of their recognition documents.
Nurses and healthcare professionals: For foreign nursing professionals who wish to work in German hospitals, clinics, or rehabilitation centres, the TELC B1-B2 Pflege exam is in many federal states the required language qualification.
Paediatric nurses: Professionals from the field of paediatric nursing also frequently need this specific language proof for professional recognition in Germany.
Professionals in adaptation qualification programmes: Anyone undergoing an adaptation qualification programme in Germany is generally required to demonstrate language competence at B1-B2 level in a care context alongside the practical training.
Professionals in the recognition process with authorities: The relevant state authorities — such as the Regierungspräsidium or Bezirksregierung — frequently require explicitly a language proof in a care context as part of the recognition process for foreign nursing qualifications. The TELC B1-B2 Pflege exam is ideally suited for this purpose.
How is the Pflege exam different from the standard B1/B2 exam?
The key difference lies in the content focus. While the general TELC B1 and B2 exams test everyday language on topics such as leisure, society, travel, and personal experiences, the TELC B1-B2 Pflege exam focuses exclusively on professionally relevant communication situations from everyday nursing practice.
This means: you read nursing documentation, listen to handover conversations, write care reports, and in the oral part perform role plays that reflect typical situations in the nursing profession — such as the admission interview with a new patient, a conversation with relatives, or the handover to the next shift. The level of the exam is demanding — covering both B1 and B2 elements — but always practical and oriented towards real professional situations.
Exam Structure: Written Part
The written part of the TELC B1-B2 Pflege exam takes place in the morning and covers the following sections:
Reading: You read nursing-relevant texts — such as care documentation, patient records, instructions, information leaflets, or short professional articles — and answer questions about them. The goal is to correctly understand and process practical written information from the care sector. Texts are authentic and reflect what nursing professionals need to read in their daily work.
Listening: You listen to nursing communication situations — such as handover conversations, team meetings, instructions from supervisors, or conversations with patients — and complete tasks based on what you hear. Recordings are played twice. Listening comprehension in nursing is critical, as misunderstandings in patient care can have serious consequences.
Writing: You produce a nursing-relevant text — such as a care report, a handover note, documentation, or an information letter to relatives. At this level you are expected to write clearly, precisely, and professionally, using the typical expressions from nursing practice.
Language elements: You complete gaps in nursing-relevant texts, demonstrating your knowledge of medical and nursing specialist vocabulary as well as your grammar competence.
Exam Structure: Oral Part
The oral part takes place in person after a short break on the same day and lasts approximately 15 minutes. It consists of practical communication tasks from everyday nursing:
Task 1 — Patient conversation / admission interview: You conduct a simulated conversation with a patient — such as the admission interview at the start of a care relationship, taking the nursing anamnesis, or explaining a procedure. Empathy, clear communication, and the use of appropriate language for patients are central.
Task 2 — Team communication / handover: You simulate a team communication situation — such as the verbal handover to the next shift, reporting on the condition of a patient, or asking for clarification. Precision, structure, and the use of nursing terminology are assessed.
Task 3 — Conversation with relatives: You conduct a simulated conversation with a patient’s relatives — such as explaining the care condition, answering questions, or communicating difficult information with sensitivity and professionalism.
There is no preparation time before the oral exam. The examiner guides you through the tasks and gives clear instructions. Communicative competence, professional manner, and the use of practical nursing language are the primary assessment criteria.
Where does the exam take place?
At Lingocare, we conduct the TELC B1-B2 Pflege exam at our centre located at Gerbermühlstraße 9, 60594 Frankfurt am Main. Our examination centre is centrally located and easily accessible by public transport and by car.
The exam begins at 09:15 AM. Please arrive no later than 08:50 AM. Registration and briefing take place on the 5th floor. Late arrivals unfortunately cannot be admitted — plan your journey with sufficient buffer time.
What do you need to bring?
- Valid ID card or passport — mandatory
- No pens or paper required — all materials are provided by Lingocare
- Drinks are permitted, but only with the label removed from the bottle
- Mobile phones and smartwatches must be switched off and stored away
How to register?
Registration for the TELC B1-B2 Pflege exam is simple and fully online at lingo.care:
- Choose your date: Visit lingo.care and select an available date for the B1-B2 Pflege exam on our booking calendar.
- Complete the form: Enter your full name, date of birth, and contact details.
- Make the payment: The exam fee is €225. Payment is made securely online.
- Receive your confirmation: After a successful booking you will immediately receive a confirmation email, plus a reminder email 7 days before the exam with all important details.
Places are limited — register early to secure your preferred date.
👉 Book your spot — TELC B1-B2 Pflege Exam Frankfurt
Preparation tips
Learn nursing and medical vocabulary systematically. The TELC B1-B2 Pflege exam tests specific care vocabulary — from body parts and medical conditions to nursing procedures, medication terms, and documentation phrases. Create vocabulary lists on the key nursing topics and learn them systematically.
Actively practise typical nursing communication. Regularly simulate typical care conversations — admission interviews, handovers, conversations with relatives. Practise with a partner who takes on the role of the patient or relative. The more often you run through these situations, the more confident you will be in the exam.
Practise writing nursing documentation. Regularly write short care reports, handover notes, and information texts in German. Focus on clear structure, precise phrasing, and the correct use of technical terms.
Listen to German-language nursing podcasts and professional content. There are German-language podcasts and online courses specifically for nursing professionals. Use these to familiarise yourself with the sound and typical expressions of German nursing communication.
Use official TELC Pflege practice materials. TELC offers practice materials specifically developed for the B1-B2 Pflege exam. These are tailored to the specific task types of the exam and are the best preparation available.
Join our FSP Elite preparation course at Lingocare. Our specially developed FSP Elite course prepares you specifically for the language requirements in nursing professions — with practical exercises, professional feedback, and experienced trainers who know the requirements of the authorities and exams inside out.
Speak German as much as possible in everyday life. Use every opportunity to speak German — whether with colleagues, neighbours, or while shopping. Particularly speaking about nursing topics in German will help you feel confident in the oral exam.
Exam fee: €225 Location: Gerbermühlstraße 9, 60594 Frankfurt am Main Start: 09:15 AM (entry until 08:50 AM) Registration: Online at lingo.care