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for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications

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Your recognition procedure as Ski instructor (m/f)
in München, Bavaria

  • The profession of Ski instructor (m/f) is regulated in Bavaria.
  • Recognition is necessary in order to be able to work in the profession in Germany.
  • This profession in Germany is regulated by the federal states. This means the regulations may differ each federal state.

The competent authority

Technische Universität München - Fakultät für Sport- und Gesundheitswissenschaften

Your contact

Mr Dr. Andreas Thomann

Quick-Info

This procedure is called: Recognition of foreign qualification certificates (in German: Anerkennung ausländischer Befähigungsnachweise). 

Please note: The general professional qualification in Bavaria is called “State-certified snow sports instructor” (German: „Staatlich geprüfte Schneesportlehrerin“ oder „staatlich geprüfter Schneesportlehrer“). There are 2 disciplines in snow sports: Ski and Snowboard. You can apply for recognition of one of these professional titles:

  • State-certified ski instructor (in German: “staatlich geprüfte Skilehrerin”)
  • State certified snowboard instructor (in German: “staatlich geprüfter Snowboardlehrer”)

The procedure just exists in the German federal state Bavaria. You have to meet the following requirements for the recognition procedure:

  • One month at the latest following receipt of your application by the competent authority: The competent authority will notify you of receipt of the documents. They will inform you if documents are missing. The procedure begins when the documents are complete.
  • After 3 months at the latest you will receive notice containing the result. In specific cases the competent authority may extend the procedure.

Documents for my application

  • An informal and signed application

  • Proof of identity (e.g. passport or personal identification)

  • Marriage certificate (if your name has changed through marriage)

  • Curriculum vitae

  • Evidence of your professional qualification (e.g. certificates, certificate of entitlement)

  • Evidence of your professional experience in this profession (e.g. employment references)

  • Evidence of your other qualifications (e.g. continuing vocational training, seminars)

  • Intention to start work: You may have to prove that you want to work in Germany.

  • Information about the discipline you want to receive recognition for (ski)

In most cases these documents are submitted later. The competent authority will inform you as to when you should submit the documents.

The competent authority will inform you as to which documents you must produce as originals or submit as copies. Some copies must be officially certified. We recommend that you do not send originals by post.

You must submit your documents in German. Sworn or authorised translators must prepare the translations.

My steps to recognition

In Germany, you are only able to apply for recognition in the federal state Bavaria.

  • You can submit the application with the documents to the competent authority.
  • You can also send the application by post to the competent authority. Do not send originals.
  • You may be able to send the application via email. Ask your competent authority before you do. Later on in the recognition procedure, you may be required to submit original copies or certified copies of the documents.
  • You are sometimes able to apply online. Later on in the recognition procedure, you may be required to submit original copies or certified copies of the documents. Use the federal state internet portal for the online application. You will then leave our information page.
  • To the internet portal Bavaria


The competent authority receives the application. After one month at the latest, it will confirm that the application has arrived. Once the competent authority has received all the documents from you, it processes your application.

The competent authority carries out an equivalence assessment: It compares your professional qualification with the German professional qualification. As part of this, the competent authority takes into account your professional experience, other certificates and other qualifications.

The competent authority then checks other requirements for exercising the activity. This includes, e. g. your personal aptitude and your knowledge of German.

The procedure takes a maximum of 3 months. In specific cases the competent authority may extend the procedure. At the end, the competent authority sends you a notice containing the result.

Please note: The so-called automatic recognition often applies to your profession. The procedure may be shorter or may cost less. You must also apply for automatic recognition to the competent authority.

Outcome: Recognition

Your professional qualification and the German professional qualification are equivalent. You also meet all further requirements. Your professional qualification is recognised. You receive a certificate. Depending on the chosen discipline you will be allowed to use one of these professional title: 

  • State-certified ski instructor (in German: „Staatlich geprüfte Skilehrerin“ oder „Staatlich geprüfter Skilehrer“)
  • State-certified snowboard instructor (in German: „Staatlich geprüfte Snowboardlehrerin“ oder „Staatlich geprüfter Snowboardlehrer“)

Professionally you have the same rights as a person with the German professional qualification. 

Outcome: No recognition because the professional qualification is not equivalent.

There are substantial differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification. You are not able to compensate for these differences with your professional experience and other knowledge of the profession. Your professional qualification is therefore not equivalent to the German professional qualification. 

In most cases you are able to complete a compensation measure. This allows you to compensate for the substantial differences.

Outcome: No recognition because you do not meet all the requirements.

Your professional qualification is equivalent. However, you do not meet all other requirements for the recognition. You may still need to provide evidence that you e. g. are personally apt or have knowledge of German. The competent authority will inform you of which evidence is missing. 

You are able to take legal action against the decision of the competent authority. Details on this procedure can be found in the legal redress advice (German: “Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung”) at the end of your notice. We recommend that you speak to a counselling centre first before challenging the decision or taking legal action.

Compensation measures 

If your professional qualification is not equivalent you can complete a compensation measure. A compensation measure allows you to compensate for substantial differences. Substantial differences are listed in your notice.

There are a range of compensation measure: 

You can choose between an adaptation period[/G or an aptitude test.

If you successfully complete the compensation measure, you receive a certificate. You submit this certificate to the competent authority. The competent authority checks the certificate and all other requirements (e.g. personal aptitude). If you meet all requirements, your professional qualification is recognised. Professionally, you then have the same rights as a person with the German professional qualification.

Counselling 

If you do not meet all requirements, you can find out from the competent authority about the options available to you. Were you not able e. g. to provide evidence of your personal aptitude or your knowledge of German? The competent authority can help you with this.

My other options

Do you have any questions? Do you need help with the application? Seek advise! You will find your counselling centre two steps in advance. In the navigation, click "Counselling offers".

Do you only wish to offer services in Germany occasionally and for short period? In this case you do not generally require recognition. You must meet these requirements:

  • You must be resident of another country of the EU, the EEA or in Switzerland.
  • You must provide evidence of your professional qualification.
  • If the profession is not regulated in your state of establishment, then you must provide evidence of at least one year of professional experience in this profession over the last 10 years.
  • You must inform or register your activity in writing with the competent authority.

As an Ethnic German Resettler, you can select between two procedures for vocational recognition: 

  • You apply for the procedure described here.
  • You apply for the procedure under Section 10 of the Federal Expellees Act (German: “§10 Bundesvertriebenengesetz, BVFG”).

You can decide this. Your competent authority will advise you.

Automatic recognition

For professional qualifications from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, automatic recognition often applies to this profession. This means that there is no individual equivalence assessment. The procedure may therefore be shorter or cost less.

However, you must also apply for automatic recognition to the competent authority. You must meet the following requirements for automatic recognition:

  • You have a valid and complete certificate of competence from the competent authority in your country of training.

Further information

The general professional qualification in Bavaria is called “State-certified snow sports instructor” (German: „Staatlich geprüfte Schneesportlehrerin“ oder „staatlich geprüfter Schneesportlehrer“). There are 2 disciplines in snow sports: Ski and Snowboard. You can apply for recognition of one of these professional titles:

  • State-certified ski instructor (in German: “staatlich geprüfte Skilehrerin”)
  • State certified snowboard instructor (in German: “staatlich geprüfter Snowboardlehrer”)

In German:


last update on: 14.09.2023

The competent authority

Technische Universität München - Fakultät für Sport- und Gesundheitswissenschaften

Your contact

Mr Dr. Andreas Thomann

Technische Universität München - Fakultät für Sport- und Gesundheitswissenschaften

Your contact

Mr Dr. Andreas Thomann

Any questions or feedback?

Do you have a question about the recognition procedure? Or have you noticed any information that could be improved? We're happy to help.