We will provide you with general information about the procedure here. This page is currently being edited. Soon you will be able to read more details for your profession. You have the following options:

• Send us your questions via our contact form. We are happy to help!
• Contact a counselling centre in your area and receive advice in person. To do this, go back to the page "Your next steps".
• You can also contact the competent authority directly. Get informed before you submit an application to the competent authority!
  

• You are required to pay for the procedure. The competent authority will inform you of the exact costs.
• There may be additional costs, e. g. for certifications or compensation measures.
• Information about financial support
  

For many professions you need specific knowledge of German. In most cases you are then required to provide a language certificate. Please ask your competent authority.

• 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.

• Application form from the competent authority
  Competent authority

  German: zuständige Stelle

  Competent authority is the name in this case for administrative bodies and institutions. These administrative bodies and institutions implement the recognition procedure on the basis of the applicable legal and administrative provisions.

• If there is no application form, then apply without a standard application form
• 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 the content and duration of your training (e.g. diploma supplement, transcript of records)
• Evidence of your professional experience in this profession (e.g. employment references)
  Professional experience

  German: Berufserfahrung
  Also: Berufspraxis

  Working lawfully in a profession and gaining professional experience in the process. In Germany or in another country.

• Evidence of your other qualifications (e.g. continuing vocational training, seminars)
• You will possibly be required to provide evidence that you are permitted to work in your country of training
  Country of training

  German: Ausbildungsland
  Also: Ausbildungsstaat

  The country in which the final certificate for a professional qualification was issued.

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

  German: Absicht der Arbeitsaufnahme
  Also: Erwerbstätigkeitsabsicht, Arbeitsabsicht; Nachweis, Darlegung, Glaubhaftmachung der Arbeitsabsicht

  Persons seeking to work in Germany can apply for recognition of their professional qualification from abroad. Persons from third countries must provide proof of their intention to seek work in Germany.

  The competent authority may demand proof of the intention to work. A competent authority will then also know the location or federal state in which the person is seeking to work.

  The proof of the intention to work includes, for example,: 

  • The location note of the Service Center for Professional Recognition (ZSBA)
  • Contact with an employer in Germany: e.g. contract of employment, confirmation of employment, applications, invitations to interviews
  • Business idea for self-employed work
  • Application for entry visa to work in Germany

  Exceptions: Persons from the EU/EEA/Switzerland do not need to provide proof. They simply need to declare the location in which they are seeking to work in Germany. Persons coming from a third country and who already live in the EU/EEA/Switzerland are also not required to provide proof. However, the location note can be helpful. It confirms to the competent authority that the person wants to work in the named federal state. E.g. if the person has still not found an employer in Germany.

  Documents for the application

  Service Center for Professional Recognition

• Information about an application for recognition already submitted. In this case state to which authority you applied.
  Application for recognition

  German: Anerkennungsantrag
  Also: Antrag auf Anerkennung

  The application for recognition is generally made via an application form. This allows individuals to apply for recognition of their foreign professional qualification.

  The application for recognition is sent to the competent authority together with the necessary documents. Or it can be submitted in person. The application for recognition can be downloaded from the website of the competent authority.

  Occasionally, an application for recognition is not available for download. If so, the person must apply without an application form. In this case the person must write a letter to the competent authority. The person must apply for the recognition procedure in the letter. The competent authority will provide information on how this is done.
   

  Competent authority

  German: zuständige Stelle

  Competent authority is the name in this case for administrative bodies and institutions. These administrative bodies and institutions implement the recognition procedure on the basis of the applicable legal and administrative provisions.

• Possibly further 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.

You may also apply if you are not yet living in Germany.

• You can 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 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 (in German) for the online application. You will then leave our information page.
  

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.

• Do you have any questions? Do you need help with the application? Seek advice! You will find your counselling centre two steps in advance. In the navigation, click "Information on counselling".
• Do you have questions regarding entry or residence? Please contact the hotline Working and Living in Germany.
  

• General information about recognition procedures
• General information about legal basis of recognition
  
• Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about recognition