Anerkennung als Innenarchitektin und Innenarchitekt mit Berufsqualifikation aus dem Ausland beantragen

Have you obtained a degree in interior design abroad and gained professional experience? If you would like to practice your profession in Germany, you can apply for registration in the list of architects in your federal state.

The profession of interior designer is regulated in Germany. The professional title is specially protected. This means: You need an entry in the list of architects if you want to use the professional title "interior architect" in Germany.

You can also apply for jobs on the job market without being registered in the corresponding list of architects and carry out the activities of an interior architect. However, you are then not allowed to use the legally protected professional title of "interior architect" and you are also not authorized to submit building documents.

If you are registered in the list of architects, you are, for example, also entitled to submit subject-related building plans. This means that you are allowed to sign construction plans for changes to buildings as the responsible person. You can also apply for registration in the list of architects in Germany with a degree obtained abroad. This will be arranged by the responsible state chamber of architects after reviewing your documents.

The responsible state chamber of architects compares your professional qualification from abroad with the professional qualification in the selected federal state. The procedure is called: equivalence determination.

• Resume
• Proof of identity (identity card or passport)
• Proof of your professional qualification (e.g. certificates, professional diploma)
• Proof of the content and duration of your education (e.g. Diploma Supplement, Transcript of Records)
• Proof of further education and certificates of professional practice
• Additional evidence of professional experience and other proof of qualifications
• Declaration as to whether an application for equivalence has already been submitted
• Certificate of establishment or registration certificate of residence in the respective federal state
• If applicable: proof of your personal suitability (for example, certificate of good conduct, criminal record extract, certificate of good standing)
• Perhaps: Certificate evaluation of the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)

If your documents are not in German, you must submit German translations of your documents. The translations must be done by translators who are publicly appointed or authorized.

• Equivalence of your professional qualification
• You must have at least 2 years of professional experience as an interior designer.

In order to use the professional title of "interior designer", you must meet other requirements in addition to the equivalence of your professional qualification. You may have to prove these requirements at a later date:

• Your place of business or main residence must be in the respective federal state or your predominant work must take place there. Or: You want to live or work in the federal state soon.
• Personal suitability: you are reliable for work as an interior designer and have no criminal record.

The application for registration in the list of architects is submitted to the respective Chamber of Architects:

- First, submit your application and the required documents to the Chamber of Architects of the federal state in which you wish to work.
- If necessary, you will be asked to submit any missing documents.
- The responsible office will carry out an equivalence check. In this process, the competent body checks whether your foreign professional qualification is equivalent to the German professional qualification as an interior architect.
- If your professional qualification is recognized and you meet the other requirements, you will be registered with the Chamber of Architects. Then you can use the professional title "interior architect" in Germany. You will receive a certificate for this.

If significant differences are found, the equivalence of your professional qualification as an interior architect will not be certified. Then the following happens:

- You will receive a statement of reasons.
- You can take a compensatory measure to prove the missing knowledge. You can often choose between an adaptation course or an aptitude test.
If you successfully complete the compensatory measure and meet the other requirements, you will be entered on the list of architects. You may then use the professional title "interior architect".
You can take legal action (for example, file an objection) against the decision of the competent body 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. We recommend that you first talk to the responsible office before taking legal action against the decision.

• Interior architect with professional qualification from abroad List of architects (specialization in interior design) Registration
• In order to use the professional title, registration in the list of architects is required.
• The competent authority checks whether there is equivalence between the foreign and the domestic qualification.
• Prerequisite: equivalence of the professional qualification, personal suitability, at least 2 years of professional experience as an interior architect, residence or establishment in the respective federal state.
• Processing time: within 3 months after receipt of the complete documents.
• If equivalence is not established, an aptitude test or participation in an adaptation course is offered.
• responsible: State Chambers of Architects

State Chamber of Architects