Social pedagogue; application for permission to use the professional title in the case of professional qualification from abroad

You can apply for state recognition as a social pedagogue.

Description

You have obtained a university degree abroad in the field of social pedagogy or social work. You would like to have this degree recognized in Bavaria and receive state recognition as a social pedagogue.

In Bavaria, you have a legal right to an individual evaluation of whether you are allowed to use the above job titles based on your foreign degree.

The state recognition is a prerequisite for certain work activities, if this is required in the sense of the specialist requirement of the respective social security codes. This applies in particular to sovereign tasks and to activities based on directives that provide for this qualification.

State-recognized social pedagogues are professional secrecy holders within the meaning of Section 203 of the Criminal Code.

Under certain circumstances, state recognition is also relevant for remuneration under collective bargaining agreements.

The recognition office for social and childhood educators checks the requirements for obtaining state recognition. The existing professional qualifications are presented positively.

If there are significant differences between your professional qualifications and the study content in Bavaria, the measures that can be taken to compensate for these differences will be outlined.
Once the compensatory measures have been completed, or if all requirements are immediately met, the recognition office will grant state recognition.

Employers decide on the one hand whether to fill the respective position only with an applicant with state recognition and on the other hand about the professional and personal suitability of the applicant.

Further information on the requirements, the examination process and data protection in the recognition procedure can be found in the fact sheets (see "Further links").

Prerequisites

  • You have obtained a university degree in the field of social pedagogy or social work abroad.
  • In the country of training, you are entitled to practice the corresponding profession in the field of social pedagogy or social work.
  • With regard to imparted skills and knowledge there are no significant differences between your degree completed abroad and the corresponding degree program at a university in the Free State of Bavaria.
  • Only suitable foreign degrees in the field of social pedagogy/social work can lead to state recognition. It is not possible to convert degrees from other disciplines into these qualifications.
  • Knowledge of the significant German fields of law, knowledge for administration as well as knowledge of social management must be proven. If such knowledge is lacking, it can be acquired in appropriate adaptation measures.
    Furthermore, German language skills at least at B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) are required (for more information, see: "Further links" - "Educational degree abroad - fact sheets and further information").
  • Individuals guilty of certain criminal offenses are not eligible for state recognition. A list of the relevant criminal offenses as defined by the Criminal Code (StGB) can be found in the information sheet (see "Further Links" - "Pedagogical Degree Abroad - Information Sheets and Further Information").
  • The payment of an advance on fees is a prerequisite for the examination of your documents.
  • With the Recognition guides of the Center for Bavarian Family and Social Affairs (ZBFS), you can check whether you should apply for state recognition as a social pedagogue. (see under "Further links")

Procedure

Start of procedure

  • The procedure begins with the receipt of an application.
  • Within one month, the recognition office confirms receipt of the application, checks receipt of the advance payment of EUR 150.00 and, if necessary, requests any missing documents.

Procedure

  • The recognition office checks the requirements for granting state recognition on the basis of the documents submitted.
  • The main criteria are the skills and knowledge acquired during the individual studies completed abroad.
  • Other methods and sources of information may also be used by the recognition body (e.g. research in the country of education).
  • If the documentation is not sufficient, further information or documentation may be requested from the applicant.
  • A determination is made as to whether there are significant differences between the individual degree and the qualifying course content in Bavaria. The existence of the other special requirements for the granting of state recognition will also be examined. Proven professional experience and further certificates of qualification are taken into account.

Completion of the procedure

After receipt of the complete documents and the advance payment, the recognition office must decide on the application by means of a notice within three months.

The following results are possible:

  • No significant differences are found and all other special requirements are met: State recognition is granted and a corresponding certificate is issued.
  • If there are substantial differences or/and the special requirements for state recognition are not met: State recognition is not yet granted. A legally binding decision is issued stating which compensatory measures can be used to compensate for significant differences or deficits. Upon request, you can be issued a separate certificate of equivalence. You will be offered a corresponding adaptation course. After successful completion of the adaptation course or passing of aptitude tests, state recognition can be granted and a corresponding certificate issued.
  • If the course of study completed abroad does not qualify the applicant for comparable work as a qualifying course of study in the Free State of Bavaria, the application will be rejected.
  • If the applicant does not fulfill his/her obligation to cooperate and the facts cannot be clarified as a result, the application will be rejected.

Compensatory measures

  • If there are significant differences between the foreign course of study completed and the corresponding course of study regulated by state law in Bavaria, compensatory measures are necessary.
  • The areas of study for which compensatory measures are necessary will be determined by the recognition office by means of a decision. This entitles you to participate in the corresponding compensatory measures.
  • Compensatory measures are offered as an adaptation course with a certificate of achievement or as an aptitude test. However, a missing work placement cannot be replaced by an aptitude test.
  • You are entitled to advice on which teaching institutions offer the appropriate compensatory measures.
  • After completion of the adaptation course or after passing the aptitude test, you can submit a follow-up application for the granting of state recognition by submitting the acquired certificates of achievement.

Special notes

Recognition grant

It is possible to apply for a recognition grant at the "Zentrale Förderstelle Chemnitz". The application for the recognition grant must be made before submitting an application for professional recognition under the BayBQFG. Information on this can be found under "Further links" - "Recognition grant".

Translations

Translations must be done by interpreters or translators who are publicly appointed or sworn. They do not have to be publicly appointed or sworn in Germany; a translation by an interpreter or translator publicly appointed or sworn abroad is sufficient. A database of translators and interpreters sworn or certified in Germany can be found under "Further Links" - "Interpreter and Translator Bank").

Notarizations

A certification confirms that the copy corresponds to the original. Certifications can be obtained from the authority that issued the original document. In addition, the authorities of the Free State of Bavaria, the municipalities and associations of municipalities and other legal entities under public law subject to the supervision of the Free State of Bavaria as well as notaries are authorized to certify copies or issue certified copies. In order to save costs, it is not necessary to certify each individual page; evidence can also be certified in summary form.

Note for employers

The obligation of the respective appointing authority to check the professional and personal suitability of applicants for an assigned activity remains unaffected by the state recognition.

This applies in particular to the examination of reliability within the meaning of Art. 1 Para. 1 No. 2 or Art. 2 Para. 1 No.2 Bavarian Social and Childhood Educators Act.

Claims based on a determination made in accordance with the provisions of the Bavarian Professional Qualification Determination Act and the Bavarian Social and Childhood Educators Act cannot be derived from this vis-à-vis the recognition body.

Deadlines

none

Processing time

Within one month of receipt of the application, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt.

Within three months of receipt of the complete documents and the advance payment, you will receive an appealable decision.

Note: The three-month period may be reasonably extended once if this is justified by the specifics of the matter.

Forms

Online procedures

Fees

  • The costs usually amount to 360.00 to 600.00 EUR. The costs depend on the effort of processing.

    An advance payment of 150.00 EUR must be made immediately after the application is submitted. You will be notified of the amount of the final payment in the decision.

    A fee of 12.00 EUR is charged for the issuance of the certificate of authorization to use the professional title.

    Additional costs will be incurred for any necessary compensatory measures.

Legal bases

Remedy

An action against the decision may be brought before the competent administrative court within one month of its notification.

Links to more information

Related issues

Status:30.12.2022

Responsible for editing:Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Familie, Arbeit und Soziales

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