Dienstleistungsportal Bayern

Description

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.

Required documents

• You must submit the following documents:

  • Tabular list in German of the training courses completed and the gainful employment pursued
  • Certified copy of identity document (identity card or passport)
  • Proof of training qualification acquired abroad, if applicable with training contents (e.g. schedule of classes, syllabus)
    The proof must be submitted in the original or as a certified copy. If the document is in a non-German language, it must be accompanied by a translation certified by a state-certified or publicly appointed and sworn interpreter or translator.
  • Other evidence of qualifications
    The evidence must be submitted in the original or as a certified copy. In the case of all documents in non-German, translations certified by a state-certified or publicly appointed and sworn interpreter or translator must be enclosed.
  • Proof of relevant professional experience (e.g. employer's reference, work book)
    The proof must be submitted in the original or as a certified copy. In the case of documents in a non-German language, a translation confirmed by a state-certified or publicly appointed and sworn interpreter or translator must be enclosed.
  • Proof that gainful employment is to be pursued in Germany (e.g. application for an entry visa for gainful employment, contacting potential employers, business concept in the case of self-employment).
    This proof requirement does not apply to nationals of the EU/EEA/Switzerland and to persons residing in the EU/EEA/Switzerland.

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".

Legal bases

• Gesetz über die Feststellung der Gleichwertigkeit von Berufsqualifikationen (Berufsqualifikationsfeststellungsgesetz - BQFG)
• Bayerisches Gesetz über die Feststellung der Gleichwertigkeit ausländischer Berufsqualifikationen (Bayerisches Berufsqualifikationsfeststellungsgesetz - BayBQFG)

Remedy

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

• Berufsanerkennung - Gebühren und Auslagen

Related issues

• Agricultural and home economics professions; application for determination of equivalence of professional qualification.
• Late repatriates; application for recognition of an examination and certificate of qualification for agricultural occupation