Profession in industry, trade and service; application for recognition of foreign professional qualification for profession regulated by state law
If you have earned a degree abroad in a profession that is regulated by state law in Bavaria, you can have it recognized. Recognition can give you better opportunities in the Bavarian job market.
Description
The Bavarian Act on the Determination of Equivalence of Foreign Professional Qualifications (BayBQFG) enables the recognition of foreign professional qualifications in professions that are regulated by state law in Bavaria in accordance with Sections 54, 66 and 71 (2) of the Vocational Training Act (BBiG).
The professions regulated by state law that can be recognized by the responsible Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) are non-regulated professions. This means that you can work in these professions even without recognition of your foreign qualification. During the recognition process, your professional qualification is compared with the contents of the corresponding Bavarian vocational training. After this equivalence test, you will receive a notice of full or partial equivalence. This notice helps Bavarian employers to better classify your qualification and can thus give you better opportunities on the Bavarian labor market.
Prerequisites
All persons who have completed a foreign professional qualification and wish to pursue employment in the Free State of Bavaria are eligible to apply. Country of origin and residence status are not relevant for the recognition procedure.
Procedure
To apply for professional recognition, send the required documents by mail or electronically to the IHK responsible for you. After four weeks at the latest, you will receive confirmation that the documents have been received; if necessary, missing documents will be requested. The letter will also include a fee notice with the necessary payment information.
As soon as all documents are complete and the fees have been received, the procedure for determining equivalence begins. The IHK uses the documents to compare whether there are significant differences between the foreign professional qualification and the corresponding Bavarian profession. If this is the case, the IHK assesses whether these are compensated for by proven professional experience or further proof of qualification (e.g. further training). After 3 months at the latest, the IHK will issue an official and legally binding decision on the result of the examination, listing the existing and any missing qualifications.
Special notes
Responsibilities
The Chambers of Industry and Commerce are responsible for certain professions throughout Bavaria according to chamber regulations.
Processing time
The competent body shall acknowledge 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 taken within three months. In justified cases, this period may be extended by one month.
Required documents
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The following documents are required:
- Curriculum vitae (tabular list of education and training completed and employment).
- Proof of identity (identity card or passport, if applicable proof of change of name in colour copy)
- Foreign proof of education (diploma) - in original language in colour copy and in German or English translation (original or colour copy)
- If available: Evidence of relevant professional experience (e.g. employment references, work books, letters of reference) - in original language in colour copy and in German or English translation in colour copy.
- If available: Other evidence of qualifications (e.g. certificates of further training or retraining) - in original language in colour copy and in German or English translation in colour copy.
- Only for persons who are not citizens of the EU/EEA/Switzerland or who live outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland: Declaration of intention to work (e.g. proof of application for an entry visa for gainful employment, proof of contact with an employer).
- Information on the content of the foreign qualification (e.g. syllabus, overview of subjects) - in original language in colour copy and in German or English translation in colour copy
Fees
Between EUR 100 and EUR 600, depending on the expected expenditure.
As the applicant, you must bear these costs yourself. In addition, you may personally incur further costs (e.g. for translations or certifications). Under certain conditions, you can receive financial support for the costs.
Remedy
Objection or administrative court action
Links to more information
Status: 06.03.2023
Responsible for editing: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie
- Online transactions, Bavaria-wide
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- Prefillable Form, Bavaria-wide
- Legal bases, Bavaria-wide
- Legal bases, locally limited
- Fees, Bavaria-wide
- Fees, locally limited
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