The Staatsexamen ("state examination" or "exam by state"; pl.: Staatsexamina) is a German government licensing examination that future physicians, dentists, physical therapists, teachers, research librarians, archivists, pharmacists, food chemists,[1] psychotherapists and jurists (i.e., lawyers, judges, public prosecutors, civil-law notaries[2]) as well as surveyors have to pass to be allowed to work in their profession. The examination is generally organized by government examination agencies which are under the authority of the responsible ministry. These agencies create examination commissions which consist of members of the examination agency, university professors and/or representatives from the professions.[3] The Staatsexamina are both legally equivalent to a master's degree in the respective operating ranges.