Source: BUS Sachsen-Anhalt (Linie6PLus)

Apply for entry in the register of craftsmen (craft requiring authorization)

Description

If you wish to practise a craft requiring a license, you must be entered in a register kept by your regional Chamber of Crafts (Register of Craftsmen) before starting your business activities. In addition to the business owner (sole proprietor, partnership with legal capacity or legal entity), the register of craftsmen also lists who is responsible for the management of the business. Management can be exercised either by the business owner or a salaried manager. The management must have the professional qualifications required to practice the craft requiring a license. Proof must be provided in the form of a master craftsman's certificate for the respective trade or an equivalent relevant professional qualification. You can find more information on this in the "Requirements" section.
The following professions are among those subject to licensing:

Bricklayers,
carpenters,
roofers,
road builders,
scaffolders,
metal workers,
tilers,
screed layers,
stonemasons,
stone sculptors,
plasterers,
painters and varnishers,
interior decorators,
body and vehicle builders,
information, automotive and electrical technicians,
plumbers and heating engineers,
tank and apparatus builders,
bakers,
confectioners,
butchers,
hairdressers,
glassblowers and glass apparatus makers,
chimney sweeps,
orthopaedic technicians,
dental technicians.

A complete list can be found in Appendix A of the Crafts Code (HwO). The trade does not have to be practiced as a whole. Essential (partial) activities can also be practiced.

Please note: You may only ever practice the craft requiring authorization that has been registered. If several trades subject to licensing are practised, each of these trades subject to licensing must normally be entered in the trades register.

Prerequisites

Completed master craftsman examination in
- the craft you wish to practise or
- in a related craft requiring a license
The Crafts Code also contains provisions according to which you or your company management must
- as a graduate engineer,
- with a Bachelor's or Master's degree or
- with a German state or state-recognized examination equivalent to the master craftsman's examination.
The prerequisite is that the study or school focus of your examination corresponds to the craft to be registered.
It is also possible to obtain an exemption permit or authorization to practice.
For nationals of a member state of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, there are special regulations for the recognition of professional qualifications as part of an exceptional approval procedure.
In addition, professional qualifications acquired abroad can be assessed for equivalence.

Required documents

For sole proprietorships:

Copy of identity card or comparable identification document
Proof of qualification (e.g. copy of master craftsman's certificate, technical certificate) of the owner or the employed management (see in more detail under 5.)
Copy of the business registration (can be submitted after entry in the register of craftsmen)

For companies under civil law (GbR):

Copies of the identity card or a comparable identification document of the partners or persons authorized to represent the company
Copy of the articles of association (if not concluded informally)
Proof of qualification (e.g. copy of master craftsman's certificate, technical certificate) of the partner(s) or the employed management (see in more detail under 5.)
Copy of the business registration (can be submitted later after entry in the register of craftsmen)

In the case of commercial partnerships with legal capacity, i.e. general partnerships (OHG), limited partnerships (KG) and corresponding foreign company forms:

Copies of the identity card or a comparable identification document of the partners or persons authorized to represent the company
Proof of the company's legal form if based in Germany:
- for companies entered in the commercial register: extract from the register, for OHGs additionally a copy of the articles of association
- if no entry in the register has been made: copy of the articles of association
Proof of the company's legal form for foreign legal forms:
- Extract from the relevant foreign register for companies entered in registers, otherwise
- Copy of the articles of association
Proof of qualification (e.g. copy of master craftsman's certificate, technical certificate) of the partner(s) or the employed management (see in more detail under 5.)
Copy of the business registration (can be submitted after entry in the register of craftsmen)

For legal entities (limited liability company (GmbH), entrepreneurial company (haftungsbeschränkt) or UG (haftungsbeschränkt), public limited company (AG), registered cooperative (eG)):

Copies of the identity card or a comparable identification document of the persons authorized to represent the company
Proof of the company's legal form if based in Germany:
- Extract from the commercial or cooperative register
Proof of the legal form of the company for foreign legal forms:
- Extract from the register of the competent foreign register
Copy of the business registration (can be submitted after entry in the register of craftsmen)
Details of the company management: see 5.

If a manager is employed, the following documents must also be submitted:

Manager's declaration
Proof of management activity (copy of employment contract)
Proof of social insurance for the management
Proof of qualification of the manager (e.g. copy of master craftsman's certificate, technical certificate, exemption permit)

Note: If you employ a second person to manage your business, for example if you carry out several trades requiring a license, you must also submit the business manager's declaration and the other documents listed under 5. for this person.

Fees (costs)

The specific fee can be found in the Chamber of Crafts' schedule of fees, which is available on the Chamber's website.

Deadlines

Display of the craft activity: before the start.

Responsible body

Contact the Chamber of Crafts (HWK) in whose district your future business premises are located.

Further information

Essential (partial) activities of a craft

The craft does not have to be practiced as a whole. Essential (partial) activities can also be carried out. Even then, registration in the register of craftsmen is required.

Several trades

You may only ever practise the craft requiring a license that has been registered.
If you wish to exercise several trades requiring a license, you must have each of these trades entered in the Register of Craftsmen.

Several persons as company management

If you employ more than 1 person to manage your business, you must also register this person.