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German: Anpassungslehrgang

An adaptation period is a compensation measure for regulated professions. An individual trains in the areas they are lacking for recognition of a foreign professional qualification. Successful participation enables the individual to compensate for the substantial differences compared to the German reference occupation. The individual is then still able to receive full recognition of their foreign professional qualification.

During an adaptation period, the individual works in the relevant regulated profession. They are supervised by a person qualified in this profession. For example by someone who is a registered general nurse in a hospital.

The adaptation period is sometimes also additional training. An adaptation period lasts for a maximum of three years. The duration depends on which differences are specified in the recognition notice and on what the individual still has to learn.

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German: Ausgleichsmaßnahme
Also: Anpassungsmaßnahme

A compensation measure allows individuals in a regulated occupation to compensate for substantial differences between a foreign professional qualification and a German reference occupation.

In the process, these individuals learn skills they are still lacking for recognition of a foreign professional qualification or they complete an aptitude or knowledge test. After successfully participating or passing the tests, these individuals then still receive full recognition of their foreign professional qualification.

A range of compensation measures exist. The legal regulation depends on the profession and on the nationality. There are the following, for example:

• Adaptation period
• Aptitude test
• Knowledge test

The knowledge test must be taken, for example, in healthcare occupations if you come from a third country.

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German: zuständige Stelle

The “competent authority” implements the recognition procedure. The competent authority can be, for example, a government agency, an office or a Chamber. The Recognition Finder can be used to determine the authority responsible for recognition in Germany.

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German: Anerkennung
Also: Anerkennung der Berufsqualifikation, Gleichwertigkeitsfeststellung, Gleichwertigkeit

In this case recognition means that a foreign professional qualification is legally equivalent to a German professional qualification. This means that the foreign professional qualification is recognised in Germany. The equivalence is valid for a specific German reference occupation.

There are different types of recognition:

Full recognition

A foreign professional qualification is legally equivalent to the German reference occupation.

Partial recognition

A foreign professional qualification is only partially equivalent to the German reference occupation. The reason for this is that there are substantial differences between the foreign professional qualification and the German professional qualification.

In this case, there are two options in order to still achieve full recognition:

• Successful participation in refresher training
• Successful participation in a compensation measure

No recognition

A foreign professional qualification is not equivalent to the German reference occupation. The reason for this is that the differences between the foreign professional qualification and the German reference occupation are too great.

Recognition must be requested by means of an application for recognition. This then begins the recognition procedure.
 

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German:  Professional qualification

Professional qualifications are qualifications for which evidence of training is provided by means of evidence of formal qualifications or qualification certificates These lead to a clearly defined profession. Evidence of a professional qualification may also be provided by professional experience gained in Germany or abroad.

These are examples of professional qualifications:

• Vocational qualification
• Advanced vocational education and training
• Approbation or authorisation to practise a profession
• Authorisation to use the designation of occupation

The recognition procedure exists for professional qualifications from abroad. This checks the equivalence of the vocational qualification.
Recognition procedures for higher education qualifications exist only for higher education qualifications leading to a regulated profession. For example: Dentist
There is no recognition procedure for higher education qualifications which do not lead to a regulated profession. The statement of comparability exists for these higher education qualifications. This is the case, for example, for geologists.

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German: Referenzberuf
Also: Referenzqualifikation

The reference occupation is a German professional qualification. In the recognition procedure the competent authority compares a foreign professional qualification to the German reference occupation.

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German: Anpassungsqualifizierung

Refresher training allows individuals in non-regulated occupations to compensate for substantial differences between their foreign professional qualification and the German reference occupation. They are then still able to receive full recognition of their foreign professional qualification. For this, however, they must first submit a follow-up application to the competent authority.

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German: wesentliche Unterschiede

In the recognition procedure the competent authority checks whether there are substantial differences between a foreign professional qualification and the German reference occupation For example in terms of:

• Duration of training
• Knowledge and competencies delivered
• Skills learned

For those individuals who do not receive full recognition, these differences are specified in the recognition notice. They are called substantial differences.

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German: Gleichwertigkeit

see recognition

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German: Bescheid
See recognition notice.

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German: staatlich anerkannt (Bezeichnung)
Also: staatliche Anerkennung

In Germany, there are professions with additional qualification designations. These might be, for example, “state-recognised” or “state-certified”. These qualification designations form part of the designation of a vocational qualification or of specific advanced vocational training, For example, “State-recognised social education worker” or “State-certified business specialist”. These designations are legally protected. Only persons who have achieved this qualification may refer to themselves as such.

The designation “state-recognised” does not indicate recognition of a foreign professional qualification!

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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.
 

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German:  Eignungsprüfung
Also: Defizitprüfung

An aptitude test as a compensation measure for individuals involved in a recognition procedure.

An aptitude test allows individuals in a regulated profession to compensate for substantial differences between a foreign professional qualification and a German reference occupation.

The following is examined in an aptitude test: Knowledge and skills which are important in the German reference occupation and for which no evidence is provided by documents.
The aptitude test takes into account the professional qualification. An aptitude test is not a new final examination. In an aptitude test, only those areas are tested in which substantial differences have been established.

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German: reglementierte Berufe

Regulated professions are protected by statutory provisions. This means that anybody seeking to practise a regulated profession requires a specific professional qualification. This also means that anybody wanting to practise a regulated profession in Germany, and who has a foreign professional qualification, needs recognition!

The person concerned must also meet further requirements in order to be allowed to work in the profession. The further requirements may differ depending on the profession. For example, proof of personal aptitude, medical fitness or German language skills may be necessary. Many professions are regulated in the areas of health, security and social welfare in particular.

There are different forms of regulation:

• In the case of academic medical professions, approbation (licence to practise medicine in Germany) is required in order to be allowed to practice the profession without restriction. This applies to the professions of doctor of medicine, veterinary surgeon, dentist and psychotherapist.
• In some professions, the professional title is protected. In these cases, an individual is not permitted to use the professional title without official authorisation. This applies, for example, to physiotherapist, midwife and speech therapist.
• In the crafts and trades sector, there are a number of regulated professions at master craftsman level. Anybody seeking to be self-employed in these professions must get themselves entered in the Register of Craftsmen. The regulated craft trade professions include, for example, master baker, master hairdresser and master dental technician.
• A certificate or certificate of competence is required for some independent activities and trades or businesses. The applies, for example, to security guards, insurance advisers and driving instructors.

Many professions are regulated at federal level. The same provisions apply nationally to these professions, e.g. to doctor of medicine, general nurse and master craftsperson in the crafts and trades sector.

Other professions are regulated at federal state level. Slightly different provisions apply to these professions in each federal state, for example to nursery school teacher, teacher or engineer. There are also professions which are not regulated in all federal states.

Please also note that a large number of German professions are not regulated. This applies, for example, to all dual training occupations such as office manager or motor vehicle mechatronics technician.

Skilled workers can find out whether a profession is regulated or not by visiting the Recognition Finder.

Note for advisors: The Profi-Filter provides you with a quick overview of occupations, competent authorities and regulations.

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German: Meisterin oder Meister
Also: Meisterqualifikation

Master craftsperson training is the name of German advanced vocational education and training.

Master craftspersons undertake advanced vocational training for specific tasks. They learn, for example, how to run a company. Master craftspersons exist in a range of different areas. For example:

• Trades and crafts sector
• Industry
• Agriculture

Advanced training as a master craftsperson exists in a range of occupations. In most cases individuals require completed vocational education and training.

This advanced vocational training also exists for individuals without vocational education and training, but with professional experience. This advanced vocational training also exists for individuals with a university degree. Participation in advanced vocational training of this type depends on the regulations of the respective profession.

In the crafts and trades which require a licence only one individual with a master craftspersons qualification is permitted to run a company and train trainees.

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German: Qualifikationsanalyse

A skills analysis is a particular way of providing evidence of a professional qualification. This evidence is provided subject to the following conditions:

• The individual has made an application for recognition of their professional qualification.
• The individual is seeking to work in a dual training occupation or as a master craftsman or woman.
• The individual is unable to submit key documents through no fault of their own.
• The competent authority doubts the authenticity of the documents submitted.
• The competent body has offered a skills analysis.

Practical evidence of vocational knowledge and skills is provided in a skills analysis. For example: Work sample, professional discussion or trial work in a company. 

The individual must not be at fault themselves for the loss of their documents. The competent authority may require the individual to take an oath on this. The skills analysis is in the Professional Qualifications Assessment Act and in the Crafts and Trades Regulation Code.

Frequently asked questions about skills analysis

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German: nicht reglementierte Berufe

There are no state regulations in terms of authorisation to practice for non-regulated professions. This means that individuals are permitted to work in these professions without authorisation to practice. These professions include for example all professions in dual vocational education and training. People with a foreign professional qualification can work in non-regulated professions without recognition.

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German: Anerkennungsbescheid
Also: Gleichwertigkeitsbescheid, Bescheid über Gleichwertigkeit, Bescheid zur Gleichwertigkeitsfeststellung, Anerkennungsurkunde

A recognition notice is a document from the competent authority relating to an application for recognition. It contains the result of the recognition procedure. A recognition notice is legally binding.

In the case of full recognition, authorisation to practice a professional activity may be combined with the recognition notice, for example:

• Approbation (licence to practise medicine in Germany)
• Authorisation to practise a profession
• Authorisation to use the designation of occupation
• Certificate of state recognition

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German: Anerkennungsverfahren
Also: Gleichwertigkeitsfeststellungsverfahren, Gleichwertigkeitsfeststellung, Gleichwertigkeitsprüfung

The competent authority in Germany checks the professional qualification in the recognition procedure. The competent authority checks whether the foreign professional qualification is equivalent to the German reference occupation.

For the recognition procedure, the competent authority requires certificates and other documents relating to the content and duration of the professional qualification. Certificates and other documents relating to professional experience are also important.
 

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German: Anerkennungs-Finder

The Recognition Finder is a specific tool at www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de which is used to search for information about recognition.
This allows individuals to easily find information on this website. For example, on the following topics:

• Competent authority
• Recognition procedure
• Occupational profile
• Specifics of the occupation
• Reference occupation
• Costs of the procedure
• Key documents

The Recognition Finder can be found here.

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German:  EU/EWR/Schweiz

EU/EEA/Switzerland is the abbreviation for: European Union/European Economic Area/Switzerland.

The member states of the European Union (EU) include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

The European Economic Area (EEA) includes: All EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway.

Switzerland has entered into a treaty with the European Union. This states that Switzerland participates in the European system of professional recognition.

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German: Aufenthaltstitel

Individuals from third countries require state authorisation if they are seeking to enter Germany and wish to stay here. This authorisation is called a residence permit.

There are 3 temporary residence permits:

• Residence permit
• EU Blue Card
• Visa

There are 2 permanent residence permits:

• EU permanent residence
• Settlement permit

In Germany applications for a residence permit are submitted to the Immigration Office. When abroad, applications for a residence permit are submitted to the German diplomatic mission.
Further information is available from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).

Informationen zur Einreise für Personen aus Drittstaaten

Information relating to entry requirements and right of residence

EU and the EEA citizens do not require a residence permit. Swiss citizens must register their residency in Germany.

Information is available here for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens