There is no central allocation system for doctors. Every candidate must find their own position. There is a weekly newsletter, the "Ärzteblatt", which contains job advertisements, and there are also web sites with opened positions. Every german state has its own medical association. Every doctor can apply for a training authorisation in order to train young colleagues. This authorisation is dependant on the scope and the quality of the doctor's work. Every doctor who has a training authorisation appears in a list from the respective medical association, which shows the length of the doctor's training authorisation.
Every year there is an interview which doctors with training authorisations must report about in writing. Once the training period is completed, doctors with training authorisation issue a certificate of medical speciality. With this certificate, doctors can apply for (see checklist for the exam) permission to take a speciality examination. The speciality examination is a friendly interview which normally takes a half hour. It is an oral test with three examiners.