dvgs e. v.

What dvgs e. v. does

DVGS e. V. (Deutscher Verband für Gesundheitssport und Sporttherapie) is a German non-profit professional association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 1983 and headquartered in Hürth near Cologne. It serves as the national Fachverband for sports and movement therapy, operating a two-tier certification ecosystem — Stufe II (foundational modules) and Stufe III (specializations across five indication clusters: Orthopedics/Rheumatology/Traumatology, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry/Psychosomatics/Addiction, Oncology, and Neurology) — plus over 20 elective license modules covering conditions such as depression, Long-/Post-COVID, oncology, cardiology, aquatraining, and osteoporosis. DVGS-issued certifications are embedded in the qualification requirements of major German statutory payers (GKV-Spitzenverband via ZPP, DRV Bund, DGUV), enabling licensed therapists to bill for preventive, rehabilitative, and follow-up care services.

The association delivers training through a blended-learning model combining asynchronous video lectures on its proprietary Lernplattform (lernplattform.dvgs.de, launched 2018 and modernized in 2026) with synchronous online workshops via ClickMeeting and in-person intensives at partner venues such as NCT Heidelberg, Psychosomatische Klinik Bergisch Gladbach, and Rheinische Landesturnschule. A standardized DVGS Module Handbook governs curriculum, competency profiles, and examination standards across all courses. DVGS also operates an individual recognition procedure (Anerkennungsverfahren) for assessing prior qualifications and building tailored certification pathways.

Revenue derives from three streams: tiered course/training fees (€210–€990 per module, with member vs. non-member and student discounts), recurring membership dues (mandatory for license issuance and renewal), and license issuance/renewal fees on 3-year cycles. The member base consists primarily of individual healthcare professionals (sports scientists, physiotherapists, sports/gymnastics teachers) seeking payer-recognized credentials, with a secondary institutional segment including rehabilitation facilities, educational institutions (universities, Fachhochschulen, Fachschulen), and statutory payers. DVGS maintains a 40+ year partnership network with universities and co-delivery agreements with DHfPG, BSA-Akademie, and NCT Heidelberg, and holds a registered trademark on the "Sport-/Bewegungstherapie DVGS" certification mark.

Name

dvgs e. v.

Legal name

Deutscher Verband für Gesundheitssport und Sporttherapie e. V.

Website

https://dvgs.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Short description

DVGS e. V. is a German non-profit professional association, founded in 1983, that certifies healthcare professionals in sports and movement therapy across multiple indication areas. It issues payer-recognized licenses enabling therapists to bill for preventive, rehabilitative, and follow-up care services under German statutory insurance frameworks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Healthcare Certification and Continuing Education

NAICS

Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (813990)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDANAIAA

Healthcare & Medical Licensure Exam Prep (USMLE/COMLEX, NCLEX, Dentistry, Pharmacy, PA)

Education/Tutoring & Test Preparation/Professional Certification & Licensure Exam Prep

Keywords

• Sports therapy certification
• Movement therapy training
• Professional licensing services
• Healthcare continuing education
• Exercise therapy credentials

Headquarters

HQ city

Hürth

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Course and Training Fees: DVGS charges registration and tuition fees for its structured certification programs. Fees are tiered by membership status (members vs. non-members) and by program type. Programs include Level II foundational courses and Level III specializations in sports/movement therapy across indication areas such as oncology, cardiology, orthopedics, psychiatry/psychosomatics, and neurology. Fees range from €210 for individual modules (member rate) to €920 for full specialization programs. Additional student/scholar discounts are available.
2. Membership Dues: DVGS is a professional association (Fachverband). The organization issues licenses only to natural members of DVGS. Membership dues provide recurring revenue and serve as a prerequisite for accessing certification programs and billable services in the healthcare system.
3. License Fees: After completing courses, participants apply for DVGS certification licenses (Fortbildungslizenzen) for specific indication areas (e.g., oncology, depression, aqua training). License fees are charged upon issuance and renewal, and the license remains valid only during active DVGS membership.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DVGS e. V. is a German non-profit professional association that issues trademarked postgrad certifications (Fortbildungslizenzen) in sports and movement therapy across five indication clusters (Orthopedics/Rheumatology/Traumatology, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry/Psychosomatics/Addiction, Oncology, Neurology) and more than 20 specialized elective modules (e.g., Aquatraining, Onkologie, Depression, Long/Post-COVID, Rückenschule). Members and course participants access the program through a two-tier curriculum (Stufe II Foundations + Stufe III Specializations), delivered via blended learning on the proprietary DVGS Lernplattform and at in-person workshops across partner venues in Germany.

Product overview

DVGS e.V. operates a modular certification ecosystem for sports and movement therapy, structured as a two-tier system: Stufe II (Level II - Foundations) covering health science, biological-medical, and general modules, and Stufe III (Level III - Specializations) focusing on five indication areas (Orthopedics/Rheumatology/Traumatology, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry/Psychosomatics/Addiction, Oncology, Neurology). The portfolio includes over 20 specialized licenses (Fortbildungslizenzen), a digital learning platform (Lernplattform), and an individual recognition procedure (Anerkennungsverfahren). The system delivers both in-person and blended learning courses, with pricing varying by membership status. The brand-mark protected Sport-/Bewegungstherapie DVGS certification is the central postgrad qualification that anchors the entire product portfolio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sport-/Bewegungstherapie DVGS Certification Program Trademarked postgrad therapeutic additional qualification in sports and movement therapy, structured into Level II Foundations modules and Level III Specializations across five indication clusters (ORT, Internal Medicine, PPS, Oncology, Neurology) plus electives, for health professionals seeking recognized credentials in the German healthcare system.
• DVGS Lernplattform Proprietary digital learning management system hosting video-based lectures, interactive learning materials, and blended learning courses for DVGS certification programs and refresher courses; accessed by members and course participants.
• Anerkennungsverfahren (Recognition Procedure) Individual recognition procedure assessing prior training, education, and qualifications, providing standardized recommendations for which Stufe II/Stufe III modules can be exempted and what further qualification pathways are required; offered free of charge.
• Lizenz Onkologie Continuing education license for oncology exercise therapy, delivered as blended learning (7 days online + 3 days in-person) in cooperation with NCT Heidelberg (OnkoAktiv); enables DVGS-certified therapists to bill movement therapy services for oncology patients.
• Lizenz Depression Continuing education license for exercise therapy in depression, valid for 3 years; qualifies health professionals to offer and bill movement-based interventions for depressive disorders.
• Lizenz Long-/Post-COVID Continuing education license for exercise therapy addressing Long-COVID and Post-COVID syndromes.
• Lizenz Rückenschule (gemäß KddR) Elective continuing education license for back school certification per KddR (Konzertierte Aktion der Spitzenverbände der Krankenkassen) standards, focusing on back pain prevention and treatment.
• Lizenz Osteoporose Elective continuing education license for osteoporosis-focused exercise therapy and bone health.
• Lizenz Sturzprävention (gemäß BIS) Elective continuing education license for fall prevention certification per BIS (Bewegung und Intervention bei Sturz) standards.
• Lizenz Kräftigungstraining am Gerät / Grundlagen der MTT Elective continuing education license for strength training on equipment and fundamentals of medical training therapy (MTT).
• Lizenz Medical Nordic Walking Elective continuing education license for Medical Nordic Walking certification.
• Lizenz Aquatraining Elective continuing education license for aqua training certification with in-person training sessions.
• Lizenz Entspannungsverfahren Elective continuing education license for relaxation techniques certification.
• Lizenz E-Coach Elective continuing education license for e-coaching certification.
• Fachberater Betriebliches Gesundheitsmanagement Elective certification pathway for corporate health management consulting, delivered in cooperation with BSA-Akademie.
• Lizenz Kardiologie/Gefäßerkrankungen Elective continuing education license for cardiology and vascular disease exercise therapy.
• Lizenz Diabetes mellitus/Adipositas Elective continuing education license for diabetes mellitus and adipositas exercise therapy.
• Zusatzmodul COPD/Atemwegserkrankungen Elective continuing education module for COPD and respiratory disease exercise therapy.
• Stufe III Specialization Module – Orthopädie/Rheumatologie/Traumatologie Elective specialization module for orthopedics, rheumatology, and traumatology, delivered in cooperation with DHfPG.
• Stufe III Specialization Module – Internistische Erkrankungen Elective specialization module for internal medicine diseases (covering cardiac, vascular, metabolic, and respiratory indications).
• Stufe III Specialization Module – Psychiatrie/Psychosomatik/Sucht (PPS) Elective specialization module for psychiatry, psychosomatics, and addiction with multiple sub-modules (Modules 1–6) covering mental health conditions including childhood/adolescent mental illness and substance-related dependency disorders.
• Stufe III Specialization Module – Neurologie Elective specialization module for neurology indications in sports and movement therapy.

Quantifiable outcome

• DVGS qualifications are required by major German payers for billing in prevention, rehabilitation, and follow-up care settings, enabling therapists to offer reimbursable services to millions of insured individuals.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered moderate, core and minor.

• BSA-Akademie (BSA Academy)moderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDVGS cooperates with BSA-Akademie for the 'Fachberater Betriebliches Gesundheitsmanagement' (Occupational Health Management Advisor) elective module. BSA-Akademie handles inquiries via its service center (+49 681 – 6855 143) and provides the educational delivery for this certification pathway.
• DHfPG (Deutsche Hochschule für Prävention und Gesundheitsmanagement)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDVGS cooperates with DHfPG for the oncology specialization (Wahlmodul 4: Onkologie) within the Level III certification program. DHfPG handles inquiries via its service center (+49 681 – 6855 599). This is a core partnership delivering one of DVGS's five major indication specializations.
• NCT Heidelberg (Nationales Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNCT Heidelberg is the contact institution and venue for DVGS's oncology certification course (OnkoAktiv am NCT Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg). The oncology program includes both online lectures and in-person sessions at NCT Heidelberg. This partnership directly links DVGS's oncology training with Germany's leading cancer center.
• Psychosomatische Klinik Bergisch GladbachmoderateImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVenue for DVGS PPS (Psychiatry/Psychosomatics/Addiction) Module 6 on substance-related dependency disorders (IIIWPPSP26/6, 23–25 October 2026). The clinic serves as the in-person training location for this specialized module.
• Rheinische Landesturnschule Bergisch GladbachminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTraining venue for DVGS PPS Module 1 (sports/movement therapy for mental illness in childhood and adolescence, December 2026). The Landesturnschule provides facilities for the in-person training block.
• German Universities and Educational Institutions (Nationwide Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDVGS maintains a nationwide network of partnerships with universities, universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen), and specialist schools (Fachschulen) to align academic curricula with DVGS certification standards. These partnerships have existed for over 40 years and are coordinated through DVGS's central training database.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• ZVK (Zentralverband der Physiotherapeuten/Krankengymnasten e.V.): Germany's central professional association for physiotherapists, with similar structure as a Fachverband that sets qualifications and represents therapists to German payers. Directly comparable as a member-based association certifying movement-therapy professionals in the German healthcare system.
• IFK (Bundesverband selbstständiger Physiotherapeuten e.V.): German professional association of self-employed physiotherapists that issues qualifications and represents members with German payers. Directly comparable professional association competing for the same German therapy-professional constituency.
• VPT (Verband Physikalische Therapie e.V.): German association for physical therapy that provides continuing education and certifications to therapy professionals. Comparable as another Fachverband issuing qualifications and engaging with German healthcare payers.
• DVE (Deutscher Verband der Ergotherapeuten e.V.): Germany's central professional association for occupational therapists, providing certifications and advocating for member qualifications in the healthcare system. Directly comparable member-based professional body in the German therapy-credentialing ecosystem.
• DHfPG (Deutsche Hochschule für Prävention und Gesundheitsmanagement): German university of applied sciences focused on prevention and health management, which co-delivers DVGS oncology specialization modules. Comparable as a higher-education institution offering health-management certifications in overlapping therapeutic areas.
• BSA-Akademie: German academy that delivers DVGS's occupational health management certification ('Fachberater Betriebliches Gesundheitsmanagement'). Comparable as an education partner operating in the same health-certification market segment.

Broad incumbents

• DGRW (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Rehabilitationswissenschaften e.V.): German society for rehabilitation sciences, encompassing broader rehabilitation research and policy advocacy. Comparable as a broader umbrella organization engaging the same payer and clinical stakeholders across rehabilitation indications.
• DOSB (Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund e.V.): Germany's national sports federation, which oversees sport and exercise policy and credentials sport-related activities. Comparable as a broader sports-governance body that overlaps with DVGS's exercise-therapy and health-sport mandate.

Emerging players

• Kneipp-Bund e.V. German association promoting Kneipp's hydrotherapy and health-lifestyle methodology, including certified training programs. Comparable as a member-based association offering health-prevention certifications to movement and wellness professionals in Germany.

Others

• ZPP (Zentrale Prüfstelle Prävention): Central prevention certification body that audits and certifies prevention courses (in conjunction with statutory health insurers). Comparable as a regulatory-adjacent entity that DVGS-certified therapists must work with to deliver §20 SGB V services — an ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@dvgse.v.
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dvgs
• Instagraminstagram.com/dvgs_ev

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about dvgs e. v.