Is professional recognition obligatory?

Non-regulated professions

The chambers are responsible for conducting the equivalence examination in non-regulated professions. However, it is organised differently depending on the chamber area. In the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) sector, for example, it is largely carried out centrally at the IHK FOSA (Foreign Skills Approval) in Nuremberg. In the skilled crafts sector, on the other hand, recognition is organised decentrally, i.e. each Chamber of Skilled Crafts (HWK) in Germany accepts applications for recognition and also decides on them.

Regulated professions

In the case of regulated professions, for which access to the profession is regulated by the state, responsibility is based on the respective sectoral law and the regulations of the federal states.

The chamber in your region is the point of contact for those seeking recognition as well as for employers. The staff in the chambers provide information on the procedure, duration and costs of the equivalence examination and on funding opportunities. They also help to find a suitable German reference occupation for which the equivalence of the foreign qualification is to be checked. They also provide support in compiling the documents and evidence to be submitted for the procedure.

Some information is needed for counselling so that the counsellors can help better. This information is important:

• What is the exact name of the profession or course of study in the country of training?
• Which degree is to be recognised?
• Has an application for recognition already been submitted? If so, with which competent authority?

The following documents can be brought to the counselling by the refugee:

• Certificates
• Overview of subjects and grades
• Diploma Supplement
• Proof of work experience (e.g. employer's references, work books)
• Proof of identity
• Current contact details
• Curriculum vitae
• Proof of German language skills
• If an application has already been submitted: the decision and the letters from the competent authorities.

If information or documents are still missing, it does not matter. All documents are only required for the application. Do you already have documents in German translation? If so, please bring them with you to the counselling session.

Not all documents need to be translated for the counselling. The counsellors will let you know if other documents need to be translated for the application.