Feststellung eines gleichwertigen Hochschulabschlusses zwecks Befähigung als Fachkraft in Tageseinrichtungen für Kinder

If you have a foreign university degree in the field of early childhood education, general education or social care (in accordance with Section 25b (1) HKJGB), you can apply for recognition as a specialist for daycare centers.

If you have completed a foreign university degree in the field of early childhood education, general education or social care (in accordance with Section 25b (1) HKJGB), you can apply for recognition as a specialist for daycare centers.

Recognition can be granted if your university degree is equivalent to a corresponding German university degree and if you are permitted to carry out comparable professional activities in your home country. If the equivalence is determined and your university degree is recognized, you can work in the corresponding professions in Hesse.

If there are significant differences between your foreign university degree and the corresponding German university degree, compensation measures will be determined. For full recognition, these compensation measures must be successfully completed.

• Proof of identity
• Curriculum vitae in tabular form
• Proof of foreign education and training qualifications
• Subjects and overview of grades / diploma supplement for university degree
• Translations and transliterations of the above documents, if applicable
• For nationals from third countries (i.e. persons who do not come from the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland): Proof of registration of primary residence in the Federal Republic of Germany or proof of location advice from the Central Office for Professional Recognition or proof of relevant intention to work (e.g. by applying for an entry visa for gainful employment, contacting potential employers, business concept in the case of self-employment)
• Foreign professional license, if applicable

• You have obtained a university degree in education abroad (see § 25b Para. 1 HKJGB).
• You wish to pursue gainful employment in Hessen that corresponds to your professional qualification.
• Proof of German language skills is not yet required for the recognition procedure. However, good language skills are a prerequisite for successful participation in compensation measures and for taking up employment.

If you earn very little or currently have no income, you can apply for financial support for the recognition procedure. You must apply for the grant BEFORE applying for recognition. You can find out more about the grant here:

You can submit the application for recognition of your foreign university degree for employment as a specialist in day care facilities for children in writing or online. Within four weeks of receipt of the submitted documents, you will receive a confirmation of receipt and, if applicable, information on any missing documents or documents that still need to be submitted.

If your documents are complete, a decision on your application will usually be made within three months. An extension of the deadline is possible in individual cases. The following decisions are possible:

• If no significant differences are found between your university degree and the comparable German university degree, you will receive immediate recognition.
• If there are significant differences between your university degree and the comparable German university degree, you will receive a decision in which the differences are determined and compensatory measures are specified. For final recognition, you must successfully complete these compensation measures.
• If the differences between your foreign degree and the corresponding German degree are too great, you will be informed in advance of a possible rejection of your application.

If compensatory measures have been specified in your notification and you have successfully completed them, please submit the evidence. Once the evidence has been checked, the decision on the equivalence of your degree can be issued.

The processing time is between 4 weeks and 3 months.

This processing period can be extended by one month in justified individual cases.

There is no deadline.

Action before the administrative court

• Determination of an equivalent university degree for the purpose of qualification as a specialist in day care facilities for children
• It is checked whether the foreign university degree can be recognized as equivalent to a German degree in the field of early childhood education, general education or social care.
• Applications can be submitted digitally and by post
• Responsible: Recognition office for foreign educational qualifications at RheinMain University of Applied Sciences on behalf of the Hessian Ministry of Science and the Arts (HMWK)

Please contact the Recognition Office for Foreign Educational Qualifications at RheinMain University of Applied Sciences.

Forms available: Yes

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance necessary: No

Online services available: Yes