Steps to Apply for Recognition

Step 1: Identify the Appropriate Authority
Find out which authority or professional association is responsible for the recognition of your qualification. This depends on your profession and location. For many professions, this may be the Chamber of Commerce (Industrie- und Handelskammer, IHK) or the Chamber of Trades (Handwerkskammer, HWK). You can use the “Recognition Finder” on Recognition in Germany to find the relevant contact.

Step 2: Seek Advice
Before applying, consult with your local contact center. They will provide you with the necessary forms, help identify the relevant German reference profession, and inform you about required documents. For detailed guidance on the recognition process, visit Recognition in Germany. You can also call the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees at 0049 (0) 30 – 1815 – 1111 for initial advice in German or English.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application
Gather and translate the required documents as instructed by your local contact center. Complete the application forms and submit them along with your documents. The center will compare your foreign qualifications with the German standards and assess any significant differences, including your professional experience.

Step 4: Receive the Decision
After processing, you will receive a notification from your contact center indicating whether your qualifications are equivalent to German standards. For regulated professions, if no equivalence is found, you will be given specific steps to address the differences. For non-regulated professions, the notification will outline the qualifications you have and the differences from the German standards, assisting you and potential employers in evaluating your qualifications.

Step 5: Follow Up on Any Further Steps
If there are any differences identified between your qualifications and the German standards, the contact center will provide you with specific steps to address them. This may include additional training or exams. Make sure to follow these steps to ensure your qualifications align fully with German requirements, which could enhance your job prospects in Germany.