Erlaubnis zum Führen der Berufsbezeichnung Sozialpädagogin/Sozialarbeiterin oder Sozialpädagoge/Sozialarbeiter bei Berufsqualifikation aus dem Ausland Erteilung

If you have completed a foreign university degree in the field of social work, you can apply for state recognition as a social pedagogue / social worker according to § 6 Hessisches Sozialberufeanerkennungsgesetz.

If you have completed a foreign university degree in the field of social work, you can apply for state recognition as a social pedagogue / social worker according to § 6 Hessisches Sozialberufeanerkennungsgesetz.

State recognition can be granted if your university degree is equivalent to a corresponding German university degree and if you are allowed to carry out comparable professional activities in your home country. If equivalence is established, you will receive state recognition and can work in the corresponding professions in Hesse.

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

• Proof of identity
• CV in tabular form
• Proof of foreign education and training qualifications
• Subjects and transcript of records / Diploma Supplement to the university degree
• If applicable, translations and transliterations of the above-mentioned references
• For nationals of 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 earn a job (e.g. by applying for an entry visa for gainful employment, contacting potential employers, business concept for self-employment)
• Foreign professional permit, if applicable

• You have obtained a university degree in social work or a comparable course of study abroad (§ 6 SozAnerkG HE).
• You want to work in Hesse 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 compensatory measures and for taking up professional activity.

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

You can apply for recognition of your foreign university degree as a state-recognised social pedagogue or state-recognised social pedagogue / social worker in writing or online. Within four weeks of receipt of the submitted documents, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and, if necessary, information on missing and still to be submitted documents.

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 state recognition immediately.
• If there are significant differences between your university degree and the comparable German university degree, you will receive a notification in which the differences are determined and compensatory measures are determined. For final recognition, you must successfully complete these compensatory measures.
• If the differences between your foreign degree and the corresponding German degree are too great, you will be informed in advance about a possible rejection of the application.

If compensatory measures have been specified in your decision and you have successfully completed them, please provide the supporting documents. After examination of the evidence, the decision on state recognition can be issued.

The processing time is between 4 weeks and 3 months.

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

There is no deadline.

Action before the Administrative Court

• State recognition of a foreign university degree in the field of social work
• It is checked whether the foreign university degree can be recognized as equivalent to a German degree in the field of social work.
• Applications can be submitted digitally and by post
• Responsible: Recognition Office for Foreign Educational Qualifications of the RheinMain University of Applied Sciences on behalf of the Hessian Ministry of Higher Education, Research 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 required: No

Online services available: Yes