Ingenieurkammer - Recht zur Führung der Berufsbezeichnung Ingenieurin / Ingenieur (Ausländische Qualifikation, Niederlassung)

In order to use the professional title "engineer" in Germany, you need a permit. For the permit, you need recognition of your foreign professional qualification as an engineer. You must apply for this.

The professional title "engineer" is protected by law, i.e. it may only be used in the Free State of Thuringia by those who meet the requirements set out in Section 4 (1) of the Thuringian Chamber of Architects and Engineers Act of 14.12.2016 (ThürAIKG) or who have been granted a license.

The Thuringian Chamber of Engineers is the competent body for the Free State of Thuringia for issuing authorizations to use the professional title of "engineer" to applicants with a foreign educational qualification.

An application for authorization to use the professional title "engineer" can be submitted by persons who have their main residence, a professional establishment or the place of their predominant professional activity in the Free State of Thuringia.

The Thuringia Chamber of Engineers only grants permission to use the professional title "Engineer" upon application and insofar as the requirements for equivalence of the foreign degree or training qualification with a degree in a technical or scientific discipline at a German university within the meaning of Section 4 (1) ThürAIKG are met or significant differences within the meaning of Section 4 (2) ThürAIKG can be compensated for by compensatory measures.

The following documents are required together with the completed application:

• Copy of identity card, passport or passport;
• Residence permit, expellee card, registration certificate (not for EU citizens);
• Proof of main residence, main place of business or main occupation in Thuringia;
• Copy/transcript of the certificate in the original language concerning the award of a degree or professional title or professional qualification;
• Copy/transcript of the German translation of the documents concerning the award of a degree or professional title, by a publicly appointed or sworn interpreter or translator;
• Copy of the complete examination certificate including overview of subjects;
• Copy/transcript of the German translation of the complete examination certificate including overview of subjects by a publicly appointed or sworn expert;
• Copy of the marriage certificate in case of change of name;
• Curriculum vitae;
• Assessment letter from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)

As a rule, copies of all documents and certificates must be submitted. If it appears absolutely necessary and there are reasonable doubts as to the authenticity or accuracy of the documents and certificates submitted, the applicant may be required to submit documents and certificates in the form of certified copies and other suitable documents and certificates.

If the official certification is insufficient, the application cannot be processed due to its formal incompleteness. It is requested that official certifications are not copied again; the stamp and signature must be present in the original.

When translating diploma certificates, the name of the university as well as the course of study or degree must be stated in Latin and in the script of the official language of the original document.

The documents submitted by the applicant with the application remain with the Thuringia Chamber of Engineers and are archived there. It is therefore requested that no original documents be submitted.

A fee of € 650.00 is charged for the examination and decision on an authorization to use the professional title "engineer". Further costs of € 300.00 are incurred for each additional meeting of the registration committee with a hearing of the applicant. When determining compensatory measures, further fees of €300.00 to €1,450.00 are charged depending on the number of meetings and time spent, and further fees of €600.00 to €1,750.00 are charged for aptitude tests depending on the number of meetings and time spent.

An application requires that the applicant has their main residence, a professional establishment or the place of their predominant professional activity in Thuringia.

Once the application has been submitted, the Thuringia Chamber of Engineers will confirm receipt of the application, including the evidence submitted, to the applicant within one month and, if applicable, inform the applicant which evidence is still missing.

A final decision on the application will be made within three months of receipt of the complete supporting documents at the latest; the deadline may be extended by one month.

The registration committee of the Thuringian Chamber of Engineers is responsible for decisions on the application for approval in accordance with Section 26 (2) ThürAIKG. The applicant will be notified of the decision.

The documents submitted by the applicant with the application remain with the Thuringia Chamber of Engineers and are archived there.

The Chamber of Engineers shall decide on the application for approval within three months of receipt of the complete documentation. In individual cases, the deadline may be extended once by up to one month if this is justified due to the particularities of the matter.

With regard to the time of application, there are no deadlines to be observed, rather the personal interest is decisive for an application.

The recognition and qualification advice centers of the "Integration through Qualification" network (IQ network) will be happy to advise and support you before, during and after the recognition procedure.

An appeal against a decision of the Thuringia Chamber of Engineers may be lodged in writing or for the record with the clerk of the administrative court responsible for the applicant's place of residence within one month of receipt of the decision.

There are no preliminary proceedings or appeal proceedings.

• Chamber of Engineers - Right to use the professional title of engineer (foreign qualification, establishment)
• In order to use the professional title "Ingenieurin" / "Ingenieur", recognition of the foreign professional qualification must be applied for.
• A written application must be submitted together with the required documents.
• Fees apply.
• Responsible: Thuringia Chamber of Engineers

Please contact the Thuringia Chamber of Engineers

Thuringia Chamber of Engineers

These can be found at www.ikth.de, menu item "Service - Applications".

The documents can be completed without barriers.

Applicants can submit their application electronically via the Thuringian Application System for Administrative Services (ThAVEL) portal. This free service of the Free State of Thuringia provides the necessary application documents for the administrative service selected here on a virtual desktop. A step-by-step guide will help you with the application process. If you have any questions, please contact the relevant staff at the Thuringia Chamber of Engineers directly.