Source: BUS Sachsen-Anhalt (Linie6PLus)

Apply for registration in the Register of Craftsmen with a special permit

Description

The entry in the register of craftsmen is necessary if you want to operate a craft in Germany that requires approval.

Registration in the Register of Craftsmen is possible for:

natural or legal persons, and
partnerships with legal capacity.

This also applies if:

You wish to independently exercise a substantial part of a craft subject to licensing.
You want to practice several crafts subject to approval independently. In this case, you need to be entered in the register of craftsmen for each craft subject to approval.

The management of a craft business must have the technical prerequisites (proof of qualification) for the exercise of the craft subject to licensing. Both owners of a craft business and salaried persons can be considered as business managers. In the latter case, the application for registration shall be accompanied by a manager's declaration and supporting documents.

If the master craftsman's examination is an unreasonable burden for you, you can also apply for entry in the register of craftsmen with an exemption.

Exceptions may include:

advanced age
family situations,
serious illness or disability,
existence of other tests,
long waiting times for master craftsman's examinations.

Each reason for exemption will be examined on a case-by-case basis. In addition, you must prove knowledge and skills that are necessary for practicing the craft.
The exemption may be granted with ancillary provisions. For example, the granting of a temporary exemption is conceivable if taking the master craftsman's examination is only temporarily unreasonable.

Prerequisites

The master craftsman's examination must represent an unreasonable burden for you.
They must have knowledge and skills to practice the craft.
On the basis of the exemption granted permit, you can have the register of craftsmen registered.

Required documents

Sole proprietorship:

Copy of identity card or comparable identification document
Exemption for entry in the Register of Craftsmen
Copy of the business registration (can be submitted later after entry in the register of craftsmen)

Companies under civil law (GbR):

Copies of identity cards or comparable identification documents of the shareholders or authorised representatives
Copy of the articles of association (unless informally concluded)
Exemption for entry in the Register of Craftsmen
Copy of the business registration (can be submitted later after entry in the register of craftsmen)

Commercial partnerships with legal capacity of the general partnership (OHG), limited partnership (KG) and corresponding foreign company forms:

Copies of identity cards or comparable identification documents of the shareholders or authorised representatives
for proof of entrepreneurial legal form at company headquarters in Germany:
- for companies entered in the commercial register: extract from the register, for the OHG additionally a copy of the articles of association
- if no registration has been made: copy of the articles of association
for proof of the entrepreneurial legal form for foreign legal forms:
- Extract from the register of the competent foreign register for companies entered in registers, otherwise
Copy of the articles of association
Exemption for entry in the Register of Craftsmen
Copy of the business registration (can be submitted later after entry in the register of craftsmen)

Legal entities – Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH), haftungsbeschränkte Unternehmergesellschaft (UG), Aktiengesellschaft (AG), eingetragene Genossenschaft (eG):

Copies of identity cards or comparable identification documents of authorised representatives
for proof of entrepreneurial legal form at company headquarters in Germany:
- Extract from the commercial or cooperative register
for proof of entrepreneurial legal form in the case of foreign legal forms
- Extract from the register of the competent foreign register
Copy of the business registration (can be submitted later after entry in the register of craftsmen)

Management details

When employing a manager, the following documents must also be submitted:
Plant manager's declaration
Proof of management activity (copy of employment contract)
Proof of social security of the management
Exemption for entry in the Register of Craftsmen

Various administrative portals of the federal states offer an online application.
In addition, the chambers of crafts offer online access to their administrative procedures.

Written request:

Go to the website of your local Chamber of Crafts and download the application form. You are also welcome to contact your Chamber of Crafts directly and have the necessary documents sent to you.
Fill out the form completely and send it together with the required documents to your local Chamber of Crafts.
The application, reason for exemption and supporting documents are examined by the Chamber of Crafts.
The Chamber of Crafts will decide on your application and inform you about it.

In the event of a positive decision, you can be entered in the register of craftsmen. Together with the notification of registration, the company receives the so-called craft card.