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Teaching profession at public schools; application for recognition of a foreign teaching qualification

If you have acquired a teaching qualification abroad and wish to acquire a qualification for this teaching profession in Bavaria, the foreign professional qualification must be recognized by the competent authority.

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Procedure details

The teaching profession at state schools is regulated by the state in Bavaria. In order to work as a teacher at state schools in Bavaria, you must have obtained a certificate documenting academic training for the teaching profession in a member state of the European Union (EU) or in another state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA) or in Switzerland, or be authorized to work as a teacher.

Employment as a teacher at private schools or at state schools within the framework of temporary contracts (e.g. as a substitute teacher) is also possible in individual cases without recognition of the teaching qualification. In such cases, applicants should apply directly to the school at which they wish to teach or to the relevant school authority.

Late repatriates are entitled to formal recognition of the training they acquired in their country of origin. The possibility of content-related recognition is examined in a separate procedure (see "Further links").

For teachers who acquired their qualification in another country ("third country"), it is not possible to acquire a teaching qualification through recognition in Bavaria.

The aim of teacher training in Bavaria is to acquire a teaching qualification for a type of school that entitles the holder to hold a public office. The acquisition of a teaching qualification is regulated in the Bavarian Teacher Training Act. Proof of a teaching qualification is required in order to practice the profession in the entire breadth of the professional field.

If a teaching qualification has been acquired abroad and the aim is to acquire a qualification for this teaching profession in Bavaria, the foreign professional qualification must be recognized by the competent authority.

In order to work as a teacher at state schools in Bavaria, you must have obtained a certificate documenting academic training for the teaching profession in a member state of the European Union (EU) or in another state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA) or in Switzerland, or be authorized to work as a teacher.

Sufficient German language skills are also expected for practicing the profession. If you are seeking employment as a state school teacher, your health and personal suitability must also be checked (usually an official medical certificate and an extended police clearance certificate). In the case of a civil service appointment, the requirements for career qualification must be met in full.

  • Birth certificate (simple photocopy of the original)
  • if applicable, marriage certificate (simple photocopy of the original)
  • academic qualification (university diploma) for the teaching profession in officially certified photocopy of the foreign language original with translation in officially certified photocopy of the original translation
  • Overview of subjects and grades of the entire training for the teaching profession in officially certified photocopy of the foreign language original with translation in officially certified photocopy of the original translation
  • Proof of pedagogical training (pedagogical competition examination or similar) for the teaching profession in officially certified photocopy of the foreign language original with translation in officially certified photocopy of the original translation
  • Curriculum vitae (with tabular presentation of education)
  • where applicable, a single photocopy of evidence of previous teaching experience (including, where possible, details of the type of school, subjects and grades taught).
  • Informal declaration stating for which teaching profession according to the Bavarian Teacher Training Act (Bayerisches Lehrerbildungsgesetz) and for which teaching subjects the recognition is applied for
    (Only the specification of one teaching post is possible).
  • Informal declaration as to whether recognition has been applied for in another country in the Federal Republic of Germany, an aptitude test has been taken or an adaptation course has been commenced

The recognition of teacher qualifications acquired in another EU member state is governed by Art. 7 Para. 4 of the Bavarian Teacher Training Act and the EC Directive Regulation for Teachers (see under "Legal bases"). There you will also find more detailed information on the procedure for the various teaching qualifications at public schools in Bavaria.

Applications can be submitted by post or electronically.

  • If you would like to submit your application by post, please send it with the required documents to:
    Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Unterricht und Kultus
    80327 München
  • If you would like to submit your application electronically, please use the online procedure linked on this page.

First of all, it will be determined whether and, if so, which significant differences exist compared to the requirements prescribed in Bavaria with regard to previous education, training and examinations, based on the Bavarian Teacher Training Act, the Teacher Examination Regulations I (LPO I) and the Teacher Examination Regulations II (LPO II).
If no deficits are found, the teacher qualification will be recognized as a teaching qualification. In order to remedy any deficits identified, there is the option of taking an aptitude test or participating in an adaptation course.

No fees are charged for the recognition procedure in Bavaria.

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The competent body will confirm receipt of the application within one month and, if necessary, will inform the applicant which documents need to be supplemented. If the documents are complete, the decision must be made within three months. In justified cases, this period may be extended by one month.

Recognition of the teaching qualification as a qualification for a public teaching post in Bavaria does not entitle the holder to employment in the state school service.

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Status: 22.11.2024
Editorial responsibility Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Unterricht und Kultus
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