Source: BUS Sachsen-Anhalt (Linie6PLus)

Apply for recognition of a foreign professional qualification in an unlicensed craft or craft-like trade (master craftsman's examination)

Description

There are around 200 different professions in the skilled trades in Germany. Of these, 53 professions are subject to licensing. This means that you may only work independently in these professions on a permanent basis if you have the necessary professional qualifications. Special regulations apply to these 53 regulated professions. All other professions in the skilled trades are not regulated. This means: If you want to work permanently self-employed in these professions, you do not need a specific professional qualification.

Note: For self-employed work, you must register with the competent body. This is a different procedure.

However, you have the right to a recognition procedure. The procedure is called "equivalence determination".

You will receive a notice about the result of the procedure. The notice will list your existing professional qualifications and any qualifications you may still lack.

The notification enables employers to better assess your professional qualifications. For specialists from third countries, a recognition procedure is usually a prerequisite for the issuance of a visa. Third countries are all countries outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.

The regional chambers of skilled crafts are responsible for determining equivalence in the skilled crafts sector. In some cases, the chambers of industry and commerce are also responsible. The responsible offices will advise you before you apply and identify the appropriate occupation in the skilled crafts for you.

You can also apply for an equivalence assessment from abroad.

Prerequisites

You have a state-recognized professional qualification in a craft from abroad.
You would like to work in the profession in Germany.

Required documents

The responsible office will tell you which documents you need to submit. Important documents are generally:

Proof of identity (passport or identity card)
Marriage certificate (if your name has changed due to marriage)
Curriculum vitae
Proof of your professional qualification (for example, certificates, professional certificate)
Proof of education
Certificate of the type and duration of relevant professional experience
Have you ever applied for an equivalence assessment? If so, please indicate the office to which you submitted the application.
Perhaps: You come from a third country and do not yet live or work in the EU, EEA or Switzerland? Then you must prove: You want to work in Germany in the profession. Evidence includes, for example, applications for a job, invitations to interviews or a location note from the Central Service Office for Professional Recognition (ZSBA).

The competent office will tell you which documents you need to submit as a simple copy, as a certified copy or as an original.

You must submit your documents in German, and the translations must be done by publicly appointed or authorized translators.

You may need to submit additional documents in the course of the recognition procedure. The responsible office will inform you.

Fees (costs)

The costs generally depend on the effort required for processing.

In addition, further costs may be incurred (for example, for translations or certifications of your documents). These costs vary individually.

Deadlines

There is no deadline.

Sometimes documents are still missing from the procedure. The responsible office will then inform you by when you have to submit the documents.

Responsible body

Please contact the Chamber of Crafts of Saxony-Anhalt.

Procedure

They submit a written "application for equivalence assessment" with the necessary documents to the competent authority.
For professional qualifications from the EU/EEA/Switzerland: You can submit the application and documents directly to the responsible body or to the Point of Single Contact. You can also submit the application electronically via the Point of Single Contact.
The competent authority then compares your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification and checks the equivalence. If your professional qualification is equivalent, it will be recognised. You will receive the notice of equivalence (recognition notice) by post.
If your professional qualification is not equivalent, it will not be recognised. You will receive a notification of the differences between your foreign professional qualifications. With this decision, you can further qualify yourself in a targeted manner and later submit a new application for a declaration of equivalence.
You can take legal action against the decision of the competent authority. The decision is then reviewed. We recommend that you first talk to the competent authority before taking legal action against the decision.

Further information

Qualification analysis

You have completed a formal education, but you no longer have all the necessary documents for the application? Then you may be able to prove your professional qualification through a qualification analysis. This means: you can practically prove your professional competences. The responsible office will inform you.

Procedure for late repatriates

As a late repatriate, you can go through the recognition procedure either according to the laws mentioned here or according to the Federal Expellees Act. You can decide this yourself. The competent office will advise you which procedure suits you.