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Foreign professional qualifications; advice on recognition
In order to be optimally prepared for a recognition procedure at a recognition body, it is strongly recommended that you seek advice from a recognition counseling center beforehand.
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Procedure details
Description
In Bavaria, it is possible to have professional qualifications acquired abroad recognized in an official procedure. The recognition procedure is based on defined formal criteria, such as the content and duration of the training. In a recognition procedure, the recognition body carries out an equivalence assessment. The foreign professional qualification is compared with the corresponding German or Bavarian qualification (reference occupation). An application for professional recognition can only be submitted if a professional qualification acquired abroad is available. Unskilled or semi-skilled persons without a formal professional qualification cannot apply for recognition.
Regulated and non-regulated professions
Whether a recognition procedure is mandatory for taking up or practising a profession in Bavaria depends on whether the relevant reference profession is regulated. A regulated profession is a professional activity or a group of professional activities in which the taking up or pursuit or one of the types of pursuit is directly or indirectly linked by legal and administrative provisions to the possession of certain professional qualifications; one type of pursuit is in particular the use of a professional title that is restricted by legal or administrative provisions to persons who have a certain professional qualification.
Therefore, if the reference profession according to the above definition is a regulated profession, recognition of the foreign qualification is mandatory in order to be able to work in the corresponding profession in Bavaria. Regulated professions exist both in the area of professional qualifications (e.g. nursing specialist) and in the area of academic qualifications (e.g. doctor, architect, social pedagogue, engineer).
If the reference profession is not regulated, it is not mandatory to undergo a recognition procedure in order to take up or practice the corresponding profession. With a foreign qualification in a non-regulated profession, you can also apply and be hired directly on the labor market. Professional qualifications that are not regulated are, for example, all dual training occupations, in particular occupations in the area of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) (e.g. bank clerk, industrial clerk) and in the area of the Chambers of Crafts (HwK) (e.g. baker, hairdresser). However, the recognition procedure makes sense in this case so that the foreign qualification is transparent and easier for the employer to assess. In some cases, the employer also explicitly requests recognition of the qualification.
No recognition procedure can be applied for academic qualifications that are not regulated. Instead, the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) in Bonn can assess the completed academic qualification (university certificate). The ZAB does not issue an assessment for school certificates.
Recognition offices
The diversity of vocational qualifications means that different recognition offices are responsible for recognition. Which recognition office is responsible depends on the relevant reference occupation and the planned place of work. You can find out which recognition office is responsible in the Recognition Finder on the"Recognition in Germany" portal.
Examples of recognition offices in Bavaria:
- Academic healthcare professions (e.g. doctor, pharmacist): Government of Upper Bavaria
- Nursing specialist: Bavarian State Office for Nursing
- Craft trades: Chambers of Crafts
- Industrial-technical professions: IHK FOSA (Foreign Skills Approval)
- Social and childhood educators: Zentrum Bayern Familie und Soziales (ZBFS), Government of Lower Franconia
Advice centers for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications
In order to be optimally prepared for a recognition procedure at a recognition office, it is strongly recommended that you seek advice from a recognition counseling center beforehand. With the help of the recognition advisors, the reference profession can be determined, which is decisive for which recognition body is responsible. In addition, the necessary documents can be checked for completeness at the recognition advice centers, funding options can be found and qualification opportunities can be identified.
Recognition advice centers can be found in Bavaria in
- Munich, Nuremberg and Augsburg: Counseling centers of the Integration through Qualification (IQ) project of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and
- in Landshut, Ingolstadt, Regensburg, Bamberg and Würzburg: advice centers of the Berufliche Fortbildungszentren der Bayerischen Wirtschaft (bfz), which are funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Affairs
All of the aforementioned advice centers offer advice for both those seeking recognition and companies.
In addition, the Coordination and Advice Center for Professional Recognition (KuBB) at the Government of Middle Franconia in Nuremberg offers advice on the recognition of foreign professional qualifications. KuBB advises the following target groups:
- Companies that want to recruit skilled workers from third countries as part of an accelerated skilled worker procedure (more information on this below under "Skilled Workers Immigration Act").
- Recognition seekers who work in Bavaria and wish to have their professional qualifications in the healthcare professions recognized.
Further information on KuBB and the relevant contact details can be found on their website (see "Related links").
In addition to recognition advice, it is also possible to obtain advice on qualification and adaptation measures from the aforementioned advice centers. All advice centers provide advice free of charge and can answer all questions about professional recognition electronically, by (video) telephone or in person.
Proceedings
If you have any questions about the recognition procedure, please contact a recognition advice center of the Berufliche Fortbildungszentren der Bayerischen Wirtschaft (bfz), a recognition advice center of the Integration through Qualification (IQ) project or the Koordinierungs- und Beratungsstelle Berufsanerkennung (KuBB).
Deadlines
none
Special notes
Accelerated skilled worker procedure (§ 81 a Residence Act)
Companies that already have contacts with skilled workers in third countries can bring them to Germany more easily and quickly in order to employ them in their company. Processing times for authorities are shortened in the accelerated skilled worker procedure (e.g. from three to two months in the recognition procedure).
If you are a company interested in carrying out an accelerated skilled worker procedure and would like to find out more about the procedure, you can contact the Central Office for the Immigration of Skilled Workers (ZSEF). If your questions relate specifically to the recognition of foreign professional qualifications, you can contact the KuBB .
Legal bases
Related links
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Anerkennung in DeutschlandFederal Government information portal on the recognition of foreign professional qualifications
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Online-Anerkennungsverfahren Sozial- und KindheitspädagogikIm Zuge der Digitalisierung der Bayerischen Verwaltung bietet das ZBFS Unterfranken die Anerkennungsverfahren zu Sozial- und Kindheitspädagoginnen und -pädagogen seit Januar 2021 volldigital an. Die Vorlage von Papierdokumenten ist nicht mehr erforderlich. Dies gilt für alle Herkunftsländer.
Related issues
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AOK Betriebswirt/-in; application for recognition of a foreign qualification
The AOK Betriebswirt/in qualification is not regulated in Bavaria. Recognition of your qualification is not mandatory for taking up employment, but can be useful to increase your chances in the application process, for example.
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Doctor; application for a permit to temporarily exercise the medical profession
If you want to practice medicine in the Federal Republic of Germany without a license to practice medicine, you need a permit.
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Foreign employees; advice and assistance with integrationForeign employees can obtain advice or support from various offices.
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Foreign school-leaving qualification; application for recognition
The Certificate Recognition Office at the State Office for Schools evaluates general school-leaving certificates from abroad or from another federal state if a vocational school or university in Bavaria cannot decide independently on the admission of a person.
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Civil servant; application for recognition of a foreign qualification
The profession of "civil servant" is regulated in Bavaria, as certain qualifications are regularly required. This means that the foreign professional qualification must be recognized by the competent authority.
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Civil servant in the federal service; application for recognition of a foreign professional qualification from the EU/EEA/Switzerland
Would you like to work as a civil servant in the Federal Civil Service in Germany? Then you need the qualification for a career in the federal service. You can have your foreign professional qualification recognized as a career qualification.
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Mountain and ski guide; application for recognition of a foreign qualification
The profession "mountain and ski guide" is regulated in Bavaria. This means that you must have a recognition of your foreign qualification if you want to work in this profession in Bavaria not only temporarily or occasionally.
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Profession in the skilled crafts sector; applying for recognition of a foreign professional qualification
If you want to work permanently on a self-employed basis in around 200 professions, you do not need a specific professional qualification. You do not have to have your foreign professional qualification recognized. However, you have the right to a recognition procedure.
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Profession in industry, trade and services; application for recognition of a foreign professional qualification for a profession regulated by federal law
If you have a training qualification from abroad, you can apply for official recognition of your training qualification.
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Profession in industry, trade and services; application for recognition of a foreign professional qualification for a profession regulated by national law
If you have obtained a qualification abroad in a profession that is regulated by state law in Bavaria, you can have it recognized. Recognition can give you better opportunities on the Bavarian job market.
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Guardian / insurance advisor / insurance broker / financial investment broker / fee-based financial investment advisor / real estate loan broker; recognize foreign professional qualifications
- To work as a security guard, insurance advisor, insurance broker, financial investment broker, fee-based financial investment advisor or real estate loan broker, you need a certificate of competence.
- The certificate of competence is a prerequisite for the granting of the respective license under trade law.
- You can have your foreign professional qualification recognized as proof of expertise.
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Specialist doctor; application for recognition of a foreign specialist qualification from the EU
If you have acquired a specialist qualification in the European Union, the European Economic Area or a country to which Germany and the European Union have granted a corresponding legal entitlement, you can apply for recognition.
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Specialist doctor; application for recognition of a foreign specialist qualification from a third country
If you have a specialist qualification from a country outside the European Union or the European Economic Area, you can apply for recognition under certain circumstances.
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Sign language interpreter; application for recognition of a non-Bavarian professional qualification
The profession of interpreter for German Sign Language is regulated in Bavaria. If you have a non-Bavarian qualification, this must be recognized if you wish to be publicly appointed and sworn in by the court.
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Certified social insurance specialist (specializing in statutory pension and miners' social insurance); application for recognition of a foreign qualification
You can apply for recognition of the profession of social insurance specialist.
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Healthcare professions; application for permission to use the professional title
If you wish to work under a protected professional title in a healthcare profession in Germany, you need a license. There are separate pages for emergency paramedics and nursing professions (see below under "Related topics").
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Industrial-technical and commercial professions; applying for recognition of a foreign qualification
You can apply for recognition of an industrial-technical and commercial profession that is not regulated in Bavaria.
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Engineer; application for permission to use the professional title
If you would like to use the professional title "engineer" in Germany, but have completed the relevant training abroad, you will need a permit to use the professional title.
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Food chemist; application for recognition of professional qualification
To practice the profession of "State-certified food chemist" and in Germany as a national of an EU/EEA member state or a third country, you need recognition of the training you have acquired abroad.
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Teaching profession at public schools; application for recognition of a foreign teaching qualificationIf 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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Nursing professions; application for permission to use the professional title for foreign professional qualifications
If you would like to work in Germany under the protected professional title "Pflegefachmann/-frau", "Gesundheits- und Kinderkrankenpfleger/-in" or "Altenpfleger/-in", you need a permit.
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Nursing assistant; application for recognition of foreign vocational training
You can have a school/professional qualification in nursing assistance acquired abroad checked for equivalence with the Bavarian vocational training for "Nursing assistant (geriatric care)" or "Nursing assistant (nursing)".
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Social pedagogical and social care professions; applying for recognition of a foreign qualification
If you would like to work permanently in Bavaria in a specific socio-educational and social care profession, you can apply for recognition of your foreign qualification.
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Social insurance clerk; application for recognition of a foreign qualification (specializing in general health insurance)
The profession of social insurance assistant is not regulated in Germany. Recognition of your qualification is not mandatory for taking up employment, but can be useful to increase your chances in the application process, for example.
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Social insurance clerk (specializing in statutory pension and accident insurance); application for recognition of a foreign qualification
You can apply for recognition as a social insurance clerk.
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Late repatriates; application for recognition of a university degree or authorization to hold a degreeEthnic German repatriates can apply for recognition of their foreign university degree and authorization to hold a degree.
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Studying abroad; applying for recognition of a university degree or academic achievement
Coursework and examinations completed at a state or state-recognized university can be recognized upon application.
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Veterinarian; application for recognition of a foreign certificate of further training from the EU
You can apply for recognition of a continuing education certificate from the EU or the EEA and the award of the corresponding German designation
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Translator and interpreter; application for recognition of a non-Bavarian qualification
You can apply for recognition of your non-Bavarian academic degree or other professional training with a state examination if you wish to be publicly appointed and sworn in as a "translator" and "interpreter" by the court.
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Further training in nursing; application for recognition of an equivalent qualification
If you have completed comparable further training in nursing outside Bavaria (in another federal state or abroad) or have passed an examination elsewhere, you can apply to the VdPB for recognition of your qualification.
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Crafts subject to licensing; application for recognition of a foreign professional qualification
You can enter your professional qualification from abroad in the Register of Craftsmen. To do this, you must have your professional qualification recognized by the Chamber of Skilled Crafts.
Status: 09.05.2025
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Familie, Arbeit und Soziales
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