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Craft register; application for authorization to practice another craft requiring a license

Are you registered in the Register of Craftsmen with a craft requiring a license and would like to practice another craft? Then, under certain conditions, you can apply for a license to practice another trade.

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Procedure details

Persons who already practise a craft subject to licensing and wish to expand their commercial activity to another craft subject to licensing or essential activities of such a craft have the option of applying for a license to practise. In this respect, proof of the necessary knowledge and skills is required, whereby previous professional experience and activities are also taken into account. It is irrelevant on what basis the existing entry in the register of craftsmen was made (e.g. master craftsman's certificate, old journeyman's regulation, exemption permit). The respective business owner is entitled to apply.

You can apply for a license to practice if you

  • are already entered in the register of craftsmen with a craft requiring a license.
  • you want to work in another craft requiring a license.
  • you can provide evidence of your practical and theoretical knowledge and skills in the trade you are applying for.

The master craftsman's examination serves as a reference for the theoretical knowledge and skills to be proven.

If you do not have any evidence or this is not sufficient, you can also apply for a license to practice. In this case, you will then have to prove your knowledge by passing a specialist examination.

The following requirements must be met:

  • A craft requiring a license is already being practiced on the basis of an existing entry in the register of craftsmen.
  • Proof of the required knowledge and skills, taking into account previous professional experience and activities; expert assessments, job references or further training can be considered as means of proof.
  • The standard of proof of qualification is the masterly qualification for the craft subject to licensing for which the authorization to practice is sought.

  • Required document/s
    • Application for a license to practice
    • Proof of identification
    • Proof of practical and theoretical knowledge in the craft requiring a license for which you wish to be entered in the register of craftsmen. This includes
    • Certificates of employment,
    • certificates of further training,
    • Certificates of having passed parts of the master craftsman's examination
    • Confirmation of regular participation in preparatory courses.

Online application:

  • Go to the website of your local Chamber of Skilled Crafts or to the service portal of your federal state and select the correct online service.
  • The online service will guide you through the application step by step.
  • You can submit the required documents digitally.

Written application:

  • Go to the website of your local Chamber of Skilled Crafts.
  • Download the application forms for a license to practice.
  • Complete the forms in full and send them to your local Chamber of Skilled Crafts together with the required proof of your knowledge.
  • Your application and the evidence will be checked by the Chamber of Skilled Crafts. If the evidence is not sufficient, you may have to take an examination of expertise.
  • After your documents have been checked, you will receive a license to practice and a notification of registration if the requirements are met.

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

You can only practice the other craft requiring authorization once it has been entered in the register of craftsmen. A license to practice must therefore be applied for in good time.

Legal action can be taken against a rejection of an application for entry in the Register of Craftsmen. Depending on the federal state in which the application was submitted, a preliminary procedure must first be carried out. Information on the existing legal remedies can be found in the information on legal remedies in the notices.

Status: 08.05.2025
Editorial responsibility Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie + Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie
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