Gleichwertigkeit von ausländischen Berufsqualifikationen im zulassungspflichtigen Handwerk (Meisterprüfung) Feststellung

Do you want to work permanently as a self-employed tradesperson in Germany? Then you must be entered in the register of skilled crafts. To do this, you need a specific professional qualification. You must have your foreign professional qualification recognized.

There are around 200 professions in the skilled trades in Germany. 53 of these professions are subject to licensing. These include, for example, the professions of baker, hairdresser and tiler.

The professions in the crafts that require licensing are also called: master craftsman professions. The master crafts are regulated. This means: You are only allowed to work permanently self-employed in these professions if you are registered in the register of skilled crafts. In order to be entered in the register of skilled crafts, you must provide proof of a specific qualification in the respective skilled craft (master craftsman title).

You can also be entered in the Register of Skilled Crafts with a professional qualification from abroad. To do this, you must have your professional qualification recognized by the Chamber of Skilled Crafts. In the recognition procedure, the Chamber of Skilled Crafts compares your professional qualification with the German professional qualification.
The recognition procedure is called "equivalence determination".

If your professional qualification is equivalent, you can apply for entry in the register of skilled crafts. However, you will not receive a master craftsman's title. The Chambers of Skilled Crafts are responsible for determining equivalence in the skilled crafts that are subject to registration. The Chambers of Skilled Crafts will advise you before you apply and identify the appropriate profession in the skilled crafts for you.

Note: For nationals of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, there is another recognition procedure: the granting of exceptional approval (§ 9 HwO). The Chambers of Skilled Crafts will advise you on which recognition procedure is right for you.

The responsible Chamber of Crafts will tell you which documents you need to submit. Important documents are generally:

• Proof of identity (passport or ID 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
• Evidence of the nature and duration of relevant professional experience
• If the profession is regulated in your country of training: a certificate that you are allowed to practice the profession in your country of training. The certificate must be from the competent authority in your country of training.
• Have you ever applied for an equivalence assessment? If so, indicate the authority to which you submitted the application.
• Perhaps: You come from a third country and do not yet live or work in the EU, the 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 Chamber of Skilled Crafts will tell you which documents you need to submit as a simple copy, a certified copy or the original.

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

You may need to submit additional documents during the recognition process. The Chamber of Crafts will inform you.

• You have a state-recognized professional qualification in a craft from abroad.
• Your professional qualification is equivalent to the German professional qualification.
• You want to work independently in Germany in this skilled trade that is subject to licensing.

The costs generally depend on the effort required for processing.

In addition, other costs may arise (for example, for translations or certifications of your documents). These costs vary individually.

Application

You submit an application for an equivalence determination to the responsible Chamber of Crafts.
You may be able to send the application electronically. The responsible Chamber of Crafts will inform you. You can also hand in the application with the documents to the responsible office or send it by mail. Do not send originals.

Checking the equivalence

The Chamber of Skilled Crafts then compares your professional qualification with the German professional qualification and checks the equivalence. If your professional qualification is equivalent, it will be recognized. You will then receive the notification of equivalence (notification of recognition).

Are there significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? Then your professional qualification will not be recognized. You will then receive a notice of the differences in your professional qualification. In most cases you can make a compensatory measure. This allows you to compensate for the essential differences.

Compensatory measures

There are different compensatory measures:

• Adaptation course
• Qualifying examination

The Chamber of Crafts decides which compensatory measure you have to take. This is stated in your notice.

If you successfully complete the compensatory measure, you will receive the notice of equivalence. With the certificate of equivalence you can be registered in the register of craftsmen. To do this, you must submit an application for registration in the Crafts Register. This is a different procedure.

There is no deadline.

Sometimes documents are still missing from the procedure. The Chamber of Crafts will then inform you by when you have to submit the documents.

Freedom to provide services

You only want to offer services in Germany sometimes and for a short time? Then you usually do not need to be registered in the register of skilled crafts. So you do not need any recognition. For nationals of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, there is another recognition procedure: the granting of an exemption permit (§ 9 Crafts Code). The Chambers of Skilled Crafts will advise you on the most suitable procedure for you.

Qualification analysis

You have completed formal training, but 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 Chamber of Crafts will advise you which procedure suits you.

You can take legal action (e.g. file an objection) against the decision of the responsible office within a certain period of time. The decision will then be reviewed. Details on this can be found in the appeal instructions at the end of your decision. You should first talk to the responsible office before taking legal action against the decision.

• Equivalence of foreign professional qualifications in crafts subject to approval (master craftsman's examination) Determination
• In order to be able to work independently on a permanent basis in a skilled trade requiring approval, you must be entered in the register of skilled trades.
• In order to be entered in the register of skilled crafts, one must provide proof of a specific professional qualification in the skilled craft occupation.
• Even with a professional qualification from abroad you can be registered in the register of craftsmen. For this purpose, the professional qualification must be recognized.
• The recognition procedure is called "equivalence determination".
• The regional chambers of skilled crafts are responsible for the procedure.