Forestry professions; application for determination of equivalence of professional qualification
You can have the equivalence of a foreign (non-academic) forestry vocational training with a German comparable occupation confirmed.
Description
In the area of forestry training occupations (non-regulated occupations), the recognition notices - unlike in the area of regulated occupations - are not a prerequisite for permission to practice the occupation, but are primarily a "transparency instrument". A recognition notice makes it easier for employers to assess foreign qualifications and thus improves the labor market opportunities of those qualified abroad.
The determination of equivalence gives the applicant the same rights and obligations as the holder of the comparable German qualification.
The detailed presentation of the existing qualifications and significant differences helps the skilled workers to apply for jobs on the labor market or to obtain further qualifications in a targeted manner and then, if necessary, to seek a renewed procedure for determining equivalence.
Prerequisites
Any person who has obtained a training qualification abroad and intends to pursue a corresponding gainful activity in Germany can apply for a procedure for equivalence testing.
Proof of training means that the applicant must provide evidence of vocational training completed abroad. Anyone who has not acquired a foreign vocational qualification cannot submit an application; purely informal vocational qualifications, e.g. those acquired exclusively through work experience, are not sufficient. Semi-skilled workers or unskilled workers who do not have a vocational qualification from another country are thus not eligible to apply.
Procedure
The equivalence procedure begins with the application to the competent body, in principle in writing and with a handwritten signature.
It is also possible to submit an application electronically if the e-mail or the application is provided with a qualified signature; according to Section 2 No. 3 of the Digital Signature Act, a qualified signature requires a certificate from a certification service provider. These verify the identity of the user's person and generate an electronic certificate for that person.
Special notes
Applicants are recommended to seek advice in advance from the relevant advisory institutions. In this way, open questions about the recognition procedure can be answered immediately. The recognition procedure does not begin until all the necessary documents have been submitted.
Deadlines
Application is possible at any time.
Processing time
Standard procedure: Maximum 3 months after receipt of the necessary documents.
Accelerated procedure according to § 81 a Residence Act: Maximum 2 months after receipt of the necessary documents.
Fees
The equivalence procedure according to the Berufsqualifikationsfeststellungsgesetz is subject to a fee.
Depending on the effort involved, fees of between EUR 100 and EUR 600 may be incurred.
Further information can be found under "Further links".
Remedy
Administrative court proceedings; information
An action may be brought against the decision before the Administrative Court. An objection procedure in accordance with Art. 15 of the Law on the Implementation of the Administrative Court Rules (AGVwGO) does not have to be carried out in advance. In particular, these are not "personal examination decisions" within the meaning of Art. 15 AGVwGO.
Links to more information
Status:18.01.2023
Responsible for editing:Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Forsten
- Online transactions, Bavaria-wide
- Online transactions, locally limited
- Form, Bavaria-wide
- Form, locally limited
- Prefillable Form, Bavaria-wide
- Legal bases, Bavaria-wide
- Legal bases, locally limited
- Fees, Bavaria-wide
- Fees, locally limited