Register of Craftsmen; application for authorization to practice or exemption from registration
If you have not successfully passed a German master craftsman's examination or an equivalent examination for the craft that is subject to licensing, you can apply for a license to practice or an exemption permit.
Description
Once you have been granted authorization to practice or an exemption permit for a craft requiring approval (see Annex A to the Crafts Code), you can be entered in the Crafts Register.
Once you have been entered on the register of skilled crafts, you are permitted to practice the craft for which you have applied on a self-employed basis.
An exemption permit is generally granted to those who have the necessary professional experience in the trade in question. The relevant Chamber of Crafts decides whether the requirements for the exemption are met.
Prerequisites
Authorization to exercise another trade in accordance with § 7a of the German Crafts Code (Handwerksordnung)
- The applicant is already registered in the register of skilled crafts with a craft listed in Annex A.
- Proof of theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the craft for which the authorization to practice is applied for.
- The authorization to practice may be limited to a substantial part of the craft.
Authorization to practice in accordance with Section 7b of the Crafts Code (old journeyman regulation)
- Relevant journeyman's examination or correspondingly recognized training occupation
- At least six years of activity in this field (actual practice), of which a total of four years in a managerial position (independent decision-making authority)
- cannot be issued for the trades of optician, hearing aid acoustician, orthopedic technician, orthopedic shoemaker and dental technician.
Exemption permit according to § 8 Crafts Code
- Existence of an exceptional case: Considering all circumstances of the individual case, taking the master craftsman's examination represents an unreasonable burden (e.g. existence of other qualified examinations, outsourcing, health and physical disabilities, advanced age with many years of relevant professional experience, narrowly limited special activity).
- Necessary knowledge and skills in the practical, specialized theoretical and business management part to run a craft business.
- The exemption permit may be granted subject to conditions or for a limited period of time and may be restricted to a sub-area of the craft.
Exemption permit for nationals of EC and EEA member states in accordance with § 9 Para.1 Crafts Code
Nationals of member states of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland have access to a simplified proof of qualification with the procedure according to the EU - EEA Crafts Regulation. An exemption permit is granted to those who have the necessary professional experience in the relevant trade as defined in § 2 paragraph 2 and 3 of the EU - EEA Crafts Regulation. Special regulations apply to opticians, dental technicians, hearing aid acousticians, orthopedic technicians, orthopedic shoemakers.
Procedure
You must apply for the authorization to practice or exemption permit at the responsible Chamber of Crafts.
The responsible Chamber of Crafts will check whether the requirements for the exemption are met. You will receive either an authorization or exemption notice or a rejection notice.
Deadlines
The respective procedure must be completed before the application for registration in the register of skilled crafts.
Required documents
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for the practicing permit pursuant to Article § 7a of the German Handicrafts Regulation Act (HwO)
- Supporting documents evidencing the applicant's existing registration and the prerequisites for registration
- Examination certificates, documentary proof of professional development, letters of reference by former employers, or certifications and other references giving proof of the person's practical and subject-specific theoretical knowledge and skills in the applied skilled craft or trade
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for the practicing permit pursuant to Article § 7b of the German Handicrafts Regulation Act (HwO)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Certificate of qualification as a craftsman or an equivalent diploma
- Letters of reference by former employers, certifications, and other references
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for the certificate of exemption pursuant to Article 8 of the German Handicrafts Regulation Act (HwO)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Certificate of qualification as a craftsman or equivalent diploma
- Letters of reference by former employers, certifications, and other references
- If necessary, Certificate of admission to the examination for the master craftsman's diploma; Confirmation of enrollment for the master craftsman's course
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for the certificate of exemption in accordance with Article 9 Para. 1 of the German Handicrafts Regulation Act (HwO) in conjunction with the EU-EEA Handicrafts Regulation (HwV)
- EU Certification (99/42) by the competent authority in the country of origin - in accordance with the Official Journal of the European Communities Official No. C 81/8 of 13 July 1974 for proof of self-employed (independent) activities
- Supporting documents evidencing the person's vocational training (certificates/diplomas) presented as certified copies
- Supporting documents evidencing the person's nationality
- If necessary, please provide additional documents depending on the circumstances of the particular case
Links to more information
Status: 20.12.2022
Responsible for editing: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie
- 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
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