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Trade register; application for an exemption permit

Would you like to be entered in the Register of Craftsmen as the owner or manager of a business, but the master craftsman's examination is an unreasonable burden? Then you may be able to apply for an exemption.

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Procedure details

You must be registered in the Register of Craftsmen if you wish to operate a craft requiring a license in Germany on a self-employed basis or if you wish to work as a company manager.

This also applies if

  • you wish to carry out a significant part of a craft requiring a license on a self-employed basis.
  • you want to carry out several trades requiring a license on a self-employed basis. In this case, you need to be entered in the register of craftsmen for each craft requiring a license.

As a rule, you must pass a master craftsman's examination to be entered in the register of craftsmen. If taking the master craftsman's examination is an unreasonable burden for you and you have knowledge and skills equivalent to those of a master craftsman, you can apply for an exemption permit for entry in the register of craftsmen.

Reasons for exemption may include

  • advanced age,
  • family situations,
  • serious illness or disability,
  • the existence of other examinations,
  • long waiting times for master craftsman examinations.

Each exceptional reason is examined on a case-by-case basis. In addition, you must provide evidence of the knowledge and skills required to practise the trade.

The exemption permit can be issued with additional conditions. For example, a temporary exemption may be granted if taking the master craftsman's examination is only temporarily unreasonable.

  • The master craftsman's examination must represent an unreasonable burden for you.
  • You must have the knowledge and skills to practise the trade.

  • Required document/s
    • Application for an exemption permit for entry in the register of craftsmen
    • Evidence for the reason for exemption
    • Proof of knowledge and skills relevant to the trade

You must submit your application for an exemption permit and for entry in the Register of Craftsmen electronically via the online procedure or in writing to your local Chamber of Crafts. Online applications are also available via administrative portals. The following procedural steps are involved:

  1. Application
  • Go to the website of your local Chamber of Skilled Crafts and download the application forms for an exemption permit and for entry in the Register of Skilled Crafts. You are also welcome to contact your Chamber of Skilled Crafts directly and have the required documents sent to you.
  • Complete the forms in full and send them together with the required documents to your local Chamber of Skilled Crafts.

Alternatively, you can apply online via administrative portals.

  1. Carrying out the administrative procedure for granting an exemption permit
  • The procedure for granting an exemption permit checks whether the following criteria are met:
  • Existence of an exceptional reason (reason why taking a master craftsman examination appears to be an undue hardship, such as family reasons, advanced age or a special opportunity to take over a business)
  • Proof of the necessary knowledge and skills (the scope of the proof depends on the previous qualification and on whether the exemption permit is applied for the entire craft or only for a sub-area).
  1. Decision on application

If the legal requirements are met, you will be granted an exemption. On this basis, you can then be entered in the Register of Craftsmen. The exemption permit can be issued for an unlimited or limited period of time. A time limit applies in particular if the permit is issued with the requirement to take the master craftsman's examination within a certain period of time.

  1. Craft roll entry

On the basis of a granted exemption permit, entry in the register of craftsmen can be made. Together with the notification of registration, the company receives the so-called craftsman's card (§ 10 Para. 2 HwO).

The specific fee can be found in the Chamber of Crafts' schedule of fees, which is available on the Chamber's website.

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Status: 12.11.2025
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Die Senatorin für Wirtschaft, Arbeit und Europa der Freien Hansestadt Bremen + Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie
Source: Federal Portal
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