Public school teaching; application for recognition of foreign teaching qualification.
If you have acquired a teaching qualification abroad and are seeking to acquire a qualification for this teaching profession in Bavaria, the foreign professional qualification must be recognized by the competent body.
Description
The teaching profession at public schools is regulated by the state in Bavaria. In order to exercise a teaching profession at state schools in Bavaria, you must have obtained a degree certificate in a member state of the European Union (EU) or in another state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA) or in Switzerland documenting academic training for the profession of teacher, or be authorized to exercise the profession of teacher.
Employment as a teacher at private schools or at state schools within the framework of temporary contracts (e.g. as a substitute teacher) is also possible in individual cases without recognition of the teaching qualification. In these cases, applicants should apply directly to the school at which they wish to teach or to the relevant school authority.
Late repatriates are entitled to formal recognition of their education acquired in their country of origin. The possibility of recognition in terms of content is examined in a separate procedure (see "Further links").
For teachers who have acquired their qualification in another country ("third country"), the acquisition of a teaching qualification by way of recognition in Bavaria is not possible.
The training to become a teacher in Bavaria aims at the acquisition of a teaching qualification for a type of school that entitles the holder to hold a public office. The acquisition of the qualification for a teaching post is regulated in the Bavarian Teacher Training Act. Proof of a teaching qualification is required in order to exercise the profession across the entire spectrum of the occupational field.
If a teaching qualification was acquired abroad and the acquisition of a qualification for this teaching profession is sought in Bavaria, the foreign professional qualification must be recognized by the competent body.
Prerequisites
In order to exercise a teaching profession at state schools in Bavaria, you must have obtained a degree certificate in a member state of the European Union (EU) or in another state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA) or in Switzerland documenting academic training for the profession of teacher, or be authorized to exercise the profession of teacher.
Sufficient German language skills are also expected for practicing the profession. If the candidate is to be employed by the state as a school teacher, his or her health and personal suitability must also be checked (as a rule, a medical certificate and an extended certificate of good conduct from the police must be submitted). In the case of civil service appointment, the requirements for career qualification must be met in full.
Procedure
The recognition of teacher qualifications acquired in another EU member state is governed by Art. 7 Para. 4 of the Bavarian Teacher Training Act and by the EC Directive Regulation for Teachers (see under "Legal basis") which can be called up. There you will also find more detailed information on the procedure within the different teaching professions at public schools in Bavaria.
First, it is determined whether and, if so, which significant differences exist from the requirements prescribed in Bavaria with regard to previous education, training and examinations; the Bavarian Teacher Education Act, the Teacher Examination Regulations I (LPO I) and the Teacher Examination Regulations II (LPO II) are authoritative.
If no deficits are identified, the teacher qualification is recognized as a teaching qualification. To remedy any deficits that may have been identified, it is possible to take an aptitude test or participate in an adaptation course.
Applications can be submitted by mail or electronically.
If you would like to submit your application by mail, please send your required documents to:
Bavarian State Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs
80327 Munich, Germany.
If you would like to submit your application electronically, please use the online form.
Special notes
Recognition of a teacher's qualification as a qualification for a public teaching post in Bavaria does not imply any entitlement to employment in the state school service.
Processing time
The competent body shall confirm receipt of the application within one month and, if necessary, indicate which documents need to be supplemented. If the documents are complete, the decision must be made within three months. In justified cases, this period may be extended by one month.
Fees
- No fees are charged for the recognition procedure in Bavaria.
Remedy
Objection or administrative court action
Links to more information
Status: 05.01.2023
Responsible for editing: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Unterricht und Kultus
- Online transactions, Bavaria-wide
- Online transactions, locally limited
- Prefillable Form, Bavaria-wide
- Legal bases, Bavaria-wide
- Legal bases, locally limited
- Fees, Bavaria-wide
- Fees, locally limited
If you select a location under "Localization" the contact details of the responsible authority and, if applicable, locally valid information will be displayed.