This page has been machine-translated to provide content in multiple languages. Please note that automatic translations are not always error-free. In case of doubt, the German original version applies.

occupations

On this page you will find information on the recognition of various foreign professional qualifications. You have two options to inform yourself:

You enter your profession in the recognition finder and search for information.
You choose your profession from our overview of professions in different sectors and find out about the responsible body and the recognition procedure here

Here you will also be forwarded directly to the electronic application procedure or to the responsible body.

Occupations by industry

Engineer

According to the Engineering Act of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (IngG#NRW), you may use the professional title ‘engineer’ if you have successfully completed a scientific or technical university degree in Germany with a duration of at least three academic years.

If you have obtained a degree as an engineer abroad or have completed an apprenticeship as an engineer, you may use the professional title ‘engineer’ under the following conditions: The competent district government must have given its permission to do so. This is done if the professional qualification obtained abroad is equivalent to a German engineering degree.

If you work in the construction sector and would like to become a chamber member of the Ingenieurkammer-Bau NRW in the future, you can apply directly to the Ingenieurkammer-Bau NRW for authorisation to use the professional title ‘engineer’ or ‘engineer’. This is stated in the Ordinance of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (MWIKE NRW), which entered into force on 31 August 2018.

Otherwise, please contact the district government responsible for you for further information – here you will also find the application for authorisation to use the professional title:

District Government Arnsberg
[District Government Detmold](https://www.bezreg-detmold.nrw.de/we-ueber-us/organisational structure/department-3/dezernat-34/professional designation engineer)
District Government of Cologne
District Government Münster
[District Government of Düsseldorf](https://www.brd.nrw.de/themen/kommunales/handel-handwerk-gewerbe/recognition-of-the-job title-engineer-engineer)

If you wish, you can also have the procedure electronically coordinated by the [point of single contact NRW] (/help/point of single contact/).

Consulting engineer

The profession of ‘consulting engineer’ is regulated in Germany, which means that the professional title of ‘consulting engineer’ is protected in Germany. You can only call yourself that if you have a formal permission to do so. The competent authority must recognise your professional qualification in order to obtain the permit.

In North Rhine-Westphalia, the competent body for the application is the Ingenieurkammer-Bau NRW.

In addition to the recognition of your qualification as a consulting engineer, you must also meet other requirements for holding the job title. These are:

Professional experience as an engineer of at least three years
sufficient professional liability insurance
self-responsible activity (i.e. you work for clients, are self-employed and write your own invoices or you work in the management of an engineering company or in university teaching)
independent activity (i.e. you have no own or foreign interests in a contract)
personal suitability

If you do not yet have the required recognition as an engineer, you will also find information on our website (see engineer).

Contact persons for further information and the application for authorisation to use the professional title ‘consulting engineer’ can be found [here] (https://ikbaunrw.de/kammer/ueber-us/melden/membership.php).

If you wish, you can also have the procedure electronically coordinated by the [point of single contact NRW] (/help/point of single contact/).

Engineer Markscheidewesen

If you wish to pursue an activity in North Rhine-Westphalia which is reserved for Markscheiderinnen or Markscheiderinnen in accordance with the Federal Mining Act or an ordinance issued or maintained on the basis of this Act, you must be recognised as a Markscheider. This is granted by the district government of Arnsberg, Department of Mining and Energy in North Rhine-Westphalia. You do not need recognition if you are already recognised as a Markscheiderin or Markscheider in another federal state of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Competent authority:
Arnsberg district government
Seibertzstraße 1
59821 Arnsberg

Your contact person(s) for recognition as a Markscheiderin or Markscheider with the Arnsberg district government can be found [here] (https://www.bra.nrw.de/energie-mining/raw materials production/markscheiderinnen-und-recognised-persons).

Requirements for recognition as a Markscheiderin or Markscheider are:

Qualification for civil service in category 2, second entry office in the Markscheidefach:
Completion of studies as a Master of Science, Master of Engineering or graduate engineer at a university or technical college or a foreign university examination recognized as equivalent
Proper completion of training as a diligent or diligent in the Markscheide subject
Completion of the approximately two-year preparatory service for the civil service in category 2, second entry office in the Markscheidefach under the direction of the respective competent state mining authority
Passing the Grand State Examination
or an equivalent professional qualification acquired abroad in accordance with the Professional Qualifications Determination Act NRW
Reliability and suitability

Recognition shall take effect upon service of the document of recognition on the applicants.

Please also read on the website of the district government Arnsberg, Department of Energy and Mining in NRW.

Important note:
If you are recognised as a mark separator, you must inform the competent authority or the point of single contact if you no longer meet the requirements for recognition (Section 5(5) of the Markscheidergesetz). As an alternative to being recognised as a Markscheiderin or Markscheider, recognition as another person under the second sentence of Paragraph 64(1) of the Bundesberggesetz may also take place under certain conditions. Further information can be found in the ‘Other person pursuant to Section 64(1), second sentence, of the Bundesberggesetz’.

General Information on Markscheidewesen
Markscheidewesen is an old special discipline of mining. The professional title ‘Markscheiderin’ and ‘Markscheider’ is derived from the German word ‘Mark’ (landownership; boundary) and the Latin term ‘scindere’ (divide, in the sense of separat/delimit).

Originally, the activity of Markscheiderinnen and Markscheidern consisted in the definition of the limits of the mining permits (Markscheiden), the measurement of the mining ascents and their documentation. In recent decades, new areas of activity have been added to these basic tasks, which are still in force today. Particular importance is attached to the assessment of the impact of mining on the environment.

The cracking plant prescribed for mining operations must be manufactured and carried out by mark separators recognised in North Rhine-Westphalia or other persons recognised as competent. The recognition is granted in NRW by the district government of Arnsberg.

Forms
You do not have to fill out an application form. However, you should substantiate your request in writing and add the necessary documents.

application
You can submit the completed and signed applications/advertisements as well as the necessary documents as follows:

by letter or fax to the NRW Single Point of Contact or
by letter or by de-mail (poststelle@bra-nrw.de-mail.de) to the district government of Arnsberg

Required documents
For the necessary documents, please refer to Section 3(2) Law on recognition as a mark separator in the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia (Markscheidergesetz).

Note:
If you are resident or operating outside the Federal Republic of Germany and request the services of an authority in North Rhine-Westphalia, please use our contact form. This is essential if you need to provide documents, identity documents or other evidence of personal identity or professional qualification.

The Single Point of Contact will be happy to provide you with the equivalent of your home country.

costs
For the decision on recognition as Markscheider:in according to § 1 Markscheidergesetz a fee of 100 € will be charged.

Legal basis
Law on recognition as Markscheider:in in the Land Nordrhein-Westfalen (Markscheidergesetz)

Duration of proceedings
The legally determined processing time is three months. This period shall commence upon receipt of the complete documentation and may be extended once appropriate, if justified by the difficulty of the matter. The extension of the time limit shall be justified by the competent authority and notified in good time.

Other person pursuant to Section 64(1), second sentence, of the Bundesberggesetz

In the case of activities that are permitted to other persons under the Federal Mining Act or related statutory ordinances, you need recognition in NRW. This is done by the district government of Arnsberg, Department of Mining and Energy in NRW.

Competent authority:
Arnsberg district government
Seibertzstraße 1
59821 Arnsberg

You can find your contact persons for recognition as other persons under Section 64(1)(2) of the Federal Mining Act at the Arnsberg District Government [here] (https://www.bra.nrw.de/energie-mining/raw material extraction/markscheiderinnen-und-recognised-persons).

Requirements for recognition as another person are:

successfully passing a final examination in a landmark or surveying subject at a university, technical college, technical college or technical school (the final examination must be recognised in a Member State of the European Union, a Contracting State of the European Economic Area or Switzerland) or
acquire a professional qualification recognised as equivalent abroad, or
acquire a comparable above-average specialist knowledge in another way, in particular through relevant vocational training recognised as equivalent
Proof of the necessary knowledge and skills, in particular through at least three years of specialised professional activity in the mining sector for which the applicants have applied for recognition
personal reliability and physical fitness

Please also read directly on the [page of the district government of Arnsberg, Department of Energy and Mining in North Rhine-Westphalia] (https://www.bra.nrw.de/energy mining/raw material extraction/mark separators-and-recognised persons).

Learn more
In addition to being recognised as another person under the Federal Mining Act, recognition as a Markscheiderin or Markscheider in NRW may also be possible under certain conditions. Further information can be found above in the collapsible text on the profession of engineer / engineer Markscheidewesen.

Forms
You do not have to fill out an application form. However, you should substantiate your request in writing and add the necessary documents.

application
You can submit the completed and signed applications/advertisements as well as the necessary documents as follows:

by letter or fax to the NRW Single Point of Contact or
by letter or by de-mail (poststelle@bra-nrw.de-mail.de) to the district government of Arnsberg

Required documents
The necessary documents can be found on the [Homepage](https://www.bra.nrw.de/energy mining/raw material extraction/marking-separators-and-recognised-persons) of the Arnsberg district government.

Note:
If you are resident or operating outside the Federal Republic of Germany and request a service from an authority in North Rhine-Westphalia, please use our contact form. This is essential if you need to provide documents, identity documents or other evidence of personal identity or professional qualification.

The Single Point of Contact will be happy to provide you with the equivalent of your home country.

costs
For the decision on recognition as another person under the Federal Mining Act, a fee of 100 € will be charged.

Legal basis
§ 13 Ordinance on Markscheider works and observations of the surface (Markscheider-Bergverordnung)
§§ 63 and 64 [Bundesberggesetz] (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bbergg/)

Architect

In Germany, the professional titles ‘architect’ and ‘architect’ are linked to entry in the list of architects and membership of the Chamber of Architects. It is only after entry in the list of architects that one can officially refer to oneself as ‘architect’ or ‘architect’ in Germany. The competent authority for entry in the list of architects is the Architektenkammer Nordrhein-Westfalen (AKNW). The basis for this is the Baukammerngesetz des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen (BauKaG NRW).

The following requirements must be met in order to be included in the list of architects:

a degree in architecture with a minimum duration of four years
proof of two years of practical work as an architect (in Germany or abroad)
Further education in the amount of 80 teaching hours in accordance with the continuing education regulations of the AKNW

If you have completed your education abroad, special regulations may apply. You can request these regulations directly from the [contact persons of the AKNW] (https://www.aknw.de/ueber-us/kontakt-anfahrt/your-contact persons).

Further information and the application for entry in the list of architects can be found here:

Membership
[application for registration (PDF)](https://www.aknw.de/fileadmin/user_upload/question sheets_forms/AKNW-form-registration_A-I-L-30-05-22.pdf) in the list of architects
registration requirements for architects

If you wish, you can also have the procedure electronically coordinated by the [point of single contact NRW] (/help/point of single contact/).

Interior designer

The professional titles ‘Interior Architect’ and ‘Interior Architect’ in Germany are linked to entry in the list of architects and membership in the Chamber of Architects. Only after entry in the list of architects, specialising in interior architecture, can one officially describe oneself as an ‘Interior Architect’ or ‘Interior Architect’ in Germany. The competent authority for entry in the list of architects is the Architektenkammer Nordrhein-Westfalen (AKNW). The basis for this is the Baukammerngesetz des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen (BauKaG NRW).

The following requirements must be met in order to be included in the list of architects:

a degree in interior design with a minimum duration of four years
proof of two years of practical work as an interior designer (in Germany or abroad)
Further education in the amount of 80 teaching hours in accordance with the continuing education regulations of the AKNW

If you have completed your training abroad, special regulations may apply. You can request these directly from the [contact persons of the AKNW] (https://www.aknw.de/ueber-us/kontakt-anfahrt/her-contact persons).

Further information and the application for entry in the list of architects can be found here:

Membership
[application for registration (PDF)](https://www.aknw.de/fileadmin/user_upload/question sheets_forms/AKNW-form-registration_A-I-L-30-05-22.pdf) in the list of architects
registration requirements for interior designers

If you wish, you can also have the procedure electronically coordinated by the [point of single contact NRW] (/help/point of single contact/).

Landscape architect

The professional titles ‘Landschaftsarchitektin’ (landscape architect) and ‘Landschaftsarchitekt’ (landscape architect) in Germany are linked to entry in the list of architects and membership of the Chamber of Architects. Only after entry in the list of architects, specialising in landscape architecture, may one officially refer to oneself as ‘Landschaftsarchitektin’ or ‘Landschaftsarchitekt’ (landscape architect). The competent authority for entry in the list of architects is the Architektenkammer Nordrhein-Westfalen (AKNW). The basis for this is the Baukammerngesetz des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen (BauKaG NRW).

The following requirements must be met in order to be included in the list of architects:

a completed study of landscape architecture with a minimum duration of four years
proof of two years of practical work as a landscape architect (in Germany or abroad)
Further education in the amount of 80 teaching hours in accordance with the continuing education regulations of the AKNW

Further information and the application for entry in the list of architects can be found here:

Membership
[application for registration (PDF)](https://www.aknw.de/fileadmin/user_upload/question sheets_forms/AKNW-form-registration_A-I-L-30-05-22.pdf) in the list of architects
registration requirements for landscape architects

If you wish, you can also have the procedure electronically coordinated by the [point of single contact NRW] (/help/point of single contact/).

City planner / city planner

In Germany, the professional titles ‘Stadtplanerin’ and ‘Stadtplaner’ are linked to entry in the list of architects and membership of the Chamber of Architects. It is only after entry in the list of architects, specialising in urban planning, that one may officially refer to oneself as ‘Stadtplanerin’ or ‘Stadtplaner’ in Germany. The competent authority for entry in the list of architects is the Architektenkammer Nordrhein-Westfalen (AKNW). The basis for this is the Baukammerngesetz des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen (BauKaG NRW).

The following requirements must be met in order to be included in the list of architects:

a completed study of urban planning with a minimum duration of four years
proof of two years of practical work as a city planner (in Germany or abroad)
Further education in the amount of 80 teaching hours in accordance with the continuing education regulations of the AKNW

Further information and the application for entry in the list of architects can be found here:

Membership
[application for registration (PDF)](https://www.aknw.de/fileadmin/user_upload/question sheets_forms/AKNW-form-registration_A-I-L-30-05-22.pdf) in the list of architects
registration requirements for urban planners

If you wish, you can also have the procedure electronically coordinated by the [point of single contact NRW] (/help/point of single contact/).

Here you can choose your profession from a collection of professions from different sectors and find out about the responsible body and the recognition procedure. You can access the electronic application procedure via the respective link to the office of the North Rhine-Westphalia Single Point of Contact. In addition, you can also submit the application by de-mail to the responsible body.

Various craft professions

The following information relates to the following craft professions:

Ophthalmologists
Bakers
Boat and shipbuilders
Well builders
Gunsmiths
Surgical mechanics
Roofers
Electrical machine builders
Electrical engineers
Precision mechanics
butchers
Hairdressers
Scaffolding builders
Glassblowers, glass apparatus builders
Glaziers
Hearing care professionals
Information technicians
installers and heating engineers
Refrigeration plant builders
Body and vehicle manufacturers
Plumbers and plumbers
pastry chefs
Automotive technicians
Agricultural machinery mechanics
Painters and varnishers
bricklayers, concrete builders
Mechanics for tire and vulcanization technology
Metalworkers
Furnace and air heating contractors
Orthopaedic shoe makers
Orthopaedic technicians
Chimney sweeps
Ropemakers
Stonemasons, stone sculptors
Road builders
Stuccateurs
Carpenters
Heat, cold and sound insulation insulators and heat, cold and sound insulation insulators
Dental technicians
Carpenters
Two-wheel mechanic

The professions listed are master craftsmen of the craft subject to approval, which are regulated in Germany. If you would like to become self-employed in one of these professions, registration in the craftsmanship role is mandatory.

If you obtained your degree abroad, you can have the equivalence of your degree checked against the German degree. The determination of equivalence entitles the holder to be registered as a craftsman. However, a master title is not awarded.

The competent body for the equivalence determination procedure is the competent Chamber of Crafts. The competence of the Chamber of Crafts depends on which city you want to settle with your company. Here you can find out which chamber is responsible for you.

The necessary information on the procedure and the application form can be found at your competent Chamber of Crafts. The addresses and contact details of the Chambers of Crafts in North Rhine-Westphalia can be found in the following list:

Chamber of Crafts Aachen
Sandkaulbach 17 - 21
52062 Aache:n
Tel.: +49 241 471 0
Fax: +49 241 471 103
E-mail: info@hwk-aachen.de
www.hwk-aachen.de

All necessary information on the application procedure and the application form can be found [here] (https://www.hwk-aachen.de/article/recognition-foreign-conclusion-33,34,242.html).

Chamber of Crafts Ostwestfalen-Lippe in Bielefeld
Campus Crafts 1
33613 Bielefeld
Tel.: +49 521 56 08 0
Fax: +49 521 56 08 199
E-mail: hwk@hwk-online.de
www.handwerk-owl.de

All necessary information on the application procedure and the application form can be found [here] (https://www.handwerk-owl.de/article/recognition procedure-nach-bqfg-35,81,74.html).

Chamber of Crafts Dortmund
Ardeystraße 93
44139 Dortmund
Tel.: +49 231 5493 0
Fax: +49 231 5493 116
E-mail: info@hwk-do.de
www.hwk-do.de

All necessary information on the application procedure and the application form can be found [here] (https://www.hwk-do.de/membership-and-registration/).

Düsseldorf Chamber of Crafts
Georg-Schulhoff-Platz 1
40221 Düsseldorf
Tel.: +49 211 8795 0
Fax: +49 211 8795 110
E-mail: info@hwk-duesseldorf.de
www.hwk-duesseldorf.de

All necessary information on the application procedure and the application form can be found [here] (https://www.hwk-duesseldorf.de/article/recognition-foreign-professional-conclusion-31,0,1492.html).

Chamber of Crafts Münster
Bismarckallee 1
48151 Münster
Tel.: +49 251 5203 0
Fax: +49 251 5203 106
E-mail: info@hwk-muenster.de
www.hwk-muenster.de

All necessary information on the application procedure and the application form can be found [here] (https://www.hwk-muenster.de/en/training/professional recognition/recognition-international-professional qualifications).

Chamber of Crafts Cologne
Hay market 12
50667 Cologne, Germany
Tel.: +49 221 2022 0
Fax: +49 221 2022 320
E-mail: info@hwk-koeln.de
www.hwk-koeln.de

All necessary information on the application procedure and the application form can be found here.

Chamber of Crafts South Westphalia
Bridge place 1
59821 Arnsberg
Tel.: +49 2931 877 0
E-mail: info@hwk-swf.de
www.hwk-swf.de/

All necessary information on the application procedure and the application form can be found here.

Doctor or Doctor

If you want to practice the doctor's profession in Germany without restriction, you need a state permit, the approval. The licence entitles you to pursue your profession independently.

Irrespective of nationality, there is a legal right to obtain a licence if the training has been completed in Germany. The same applies to a degree obtained abroad if it is equivalent to the German level of education. Approval can only be granted if the training is recognised as equivalent.

The district government of Münster is responsible for new applications for completion of training abroad (EU/third countries). Information on the application and the application can be found here. The application may be submitted electronically by de-mail to the competent authority. Information on redress can be found here.

Specialist

The following information relates to the following specialist training courses:

Specialists - General surgery
General Practitioners - General Practitioners
Specialists - Anesthesiology
Specialists - Anatomy
Specialists - Occupational medicine
Specialists - Ophthalmology
Specialists - Biochemistry
Specialists - Gynaecology and Obstetrics
Specialists - Vascular surgery
Specialists - Otorhinolaryngology
Specialists - Skin and venereal diseases
Specialists - Cardiac Surgery
Specialists - Human genetics
Specialists - Hygiene and Environmental Medicine
Specialists - Internal Medicine
Specialists - Internal Medicine and Angiology
Specialists - Internal Medicine and Endocrinology and Diabetology
Specialists - Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology
Specialists - Internal Medicine and Oncology
Specialists - Internal Medicine and Cardiology
Specialists - Internal Medicine and Nephrology
Specialists - Internal Medicine and Pneumology
Specialists - Internal Medicine and Rheumatology
Specialists - Child and adolescent psychiatry and psychotherapy
Specialists - Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
Specialists - Pediatric surgery
Specialists - Clinical Pharmacology
Specialists - Laboratory medicine
Specialists - Microbiology/Virology/Infection Epidemiology
Specialists - Oral and maxillofacial surgery
Specialists - Neurosurgery
Specialists - Neurology
Specialists - Neuropathology
Specialists - Nuclear medicine
Specialists - Public health
Specialists - Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery
Specialists - Pathology
Specialists - Pharmacology and Toxicology
Specialists - Physical/Rehabilitative Medicine
Specialists - Physiology
Specialists - Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery
Specialists - Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Specialists - Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy
Specialists - Radiology
Specialists - (Diagnostic) Radiology
Specialists - Forensic Medicine
Specialists - Speech, voice and child hearing disorders
Specialists - Radiation therapy
Specialists - Thoracic Surgery
Specialists - Transfusion medicine
Specialists - Urology
Specialists - Visceral surgery

You need recognition of your professional qualification. The medical profession is regulated in Germany. The professional titles ‘specialist’ and ‘specialist’ are protected in Germany. You need formal permission to use the job title.

Before you apply for recognition of your specialist medical qualification, you need a valid professional permit or approval. This means that you must first have your qualification as a doctor recognised and obtain professional permission or approval. Further information can be found in the "Doctor" drop-down text.

You may carry out medical activities to which you are entitled by your professional permit or licence. You can, for example, work as an assistant doctor. If you do not want to treat patients, you do not need recognition of your specialist qualification. They then apply directly to potential employers (e.g. in science or research).

Depending on your place of residence or your intended place of work, the respective medical association is responsible.

The addresses and contact details of the medical associations in NRW can be found in the following list:

Medical Association of North Rhine-Westphalia
Tersteegenstraße 9
40474 Düsseldorf
Tel.: +49 211 4302 0
Fax: +49 211 4302 1200
E-mail: aerztekammer@aekno.de
www.aekno.de

All the necessary information on the application procedure and the application form can be found [here] (https://www.aekno.de/aerzte/weiterbildung/antraege-und-merkblaetter/checkliste-zur-Ausländerrecognition).

Medical Association of Westphalia-Lippe
Garden Street 210 - 214
48147 Münster
Tel.: +49 251 929 0
Fax: +49 251 929 2999
E-mail: postein@aekwl.de
www.aekwl.de

Contact persons:

Mrs Bettina Köhler
Tel.: +49 251 929 2307
Fax: +49 251 929 2349
E-mail: weiterbildung@aekwl.de

Mr Günter Meis
Tel.: +49 251 929 2305
Fax: +49 251 929 2349
E-mail: weiterbildung@aekwl.de

All necessary information on the application procedure and the application form can be found [here] (https://www.aekwl.de/fuer-mfa/nach-der-ausbildung/Auslaenderische-Abluesse/).

Dentist

If you want to practice the dental profession in Germany without restriction, you need a state permit, the approval. The licence entitles you to pursue your profession independently. It is granted for an indefinite period and is valid for the entire Federal Republic of Germany.

Psychotherapist

If you want to practice the profession of psychotherapist without restriction in Germany, you need a state permit, the license. The licence entitles you to pursue your profession independently. She will
granted for an indefinite period and is valid for the entire Federal Republic of Germany.

Pharmacist or pharmacist

If you want to practice the profession of pharmacist in Germany without restriction, you need a state permit, the approval. The licence entitles you to pursue your profession independently. It is granted for an indefinite period and is valid for the entire Federal Republic of Germany.

Veterinarian

If you want to practice the veterinary profession in Germany without restrictions, you need a state permit, the approval. The licence entitles you to exercise your profession independently. It is granted for an indefinite period and is valid for the entire Federal Republic of Germany.

In order to be able to work in this profession in Germany, your professional qualification must therefore be recognised. The recognition procedure is called the granting of the approval.

Requirements for the recognition of your professional qualification:

health suitability
personal suitability
Recognition of the equivalence of your professional qualification
German language skills at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (You do not need a language certificate when applying, you can prove your knowledge of German at a later date.)

You have to pay money for the procedure. The responsible body will inform you of the exact costs.

Documents for my application:

The procedure for recognising your professional qualification differs depending on whether you are a citizen of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, whether you come from a third country or whether you are a late resettler. In the following, all three procedures are described with the respective prerequisites.

If you are a citizen of the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you must submit the following documents in order to apply for recognition of your professional qualification:

Application form from the competent body or informal application if there is no application form
Proof of identity (e.g. passport or identity card)
marriage certificate (if your name has changed due to marriage)
CV
Evidence of your professional qualification (e.g. certificates, professional certificate)
information about an application for recognition that has already been submitted (it is necessary to mention the body to which you have already submitted an application)

If you are from a third country and do not yet work in the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you will also need the following documents:

Proof that you want to work in the profession in Germany. The following are suitable for this purpose:
Evidence of applications for a job and invitations to interviews
Proof of your application for an entry visa for gainful employment
personal statement about your project
Proof of your personal suitability (documents may not be more than three months old at the time of application):
certificate of good conduct from Germany and
Certificate of good conduct from your country of origin (e.g. extract from the criminal record, Certificate of Good Standing)
Proof of your health suitability (documents may not be more than three months old at the time of application)
medical certificate from Germany and
medical certificate from your country of origin
Proof of your German language skills (language certificate)

If you obtained your professional qualification before a certain date (reference date), you must also submit the following documents:

Certificate of conformity
If there is no certificate of conformity: Evidence of the content and duration of your training (e.g. list of subjects and grades, study book, diploma supplement, transcript of records)

The competent authority will inform you if and when you should submit these documents.

The competent authority will inform you which documents you need to present in the original or which you can hand in as a copy. Some copies must be officially certified. We recommend: Do not send originals by post.

You must provide your documents in German. Translations must be made by publicly appointed or authorised translators.

If you are a late resettler, you can choose between two procedures for professional recognition:

You submit a request for the procedure described here.
You submit an application for the procedure under the Federal Displaced Persons Act (§ 10 BVFG).

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

My steps to recognition:

I submit an application to the competent body. How does that work?

You can submit the application with the documents to the competent body, send it electronically by de-mail or by post to the competent body. Do not send originals by post. Sometimes you can also send the application by e-mail – ask your competent body beforehand.

At a later stage in the recognition process, you may need to provide the original documents or the certified copies.

The competent body will process my request. What does that mean?

The competent authority receives the application. It will confirm to you at the latest after one month that the application has arrived. Once the competent body has received all the documents from you, it will process your application.

The competent body shall carry out an equivalence test: It compares your professional qualification with the German professional qualification. Your professional experience, other qualifications and qualifications will be taken into account.

The maximum duration of the recognition procedure is four months. In the end, the competent authority will send you a notice with the result.

For professional qualifications from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, the procedure is often shorter. It will take a maximum of three months. To do this, you must meet the requirements for automatic recognition.

Note: The so-called automatic recognition often applies to your profession. Then the procedure is shorter or costs less. You must also submit an application to the competent body for automatic recognition.

The competent authority shall inform me of the result in a decision. What results are possible?

Result: recognition

Your professional qualification and the German professional qualification are equivalent. They also meet all other requirements. Your professional qualification will be recognised. You will receive the approval and a certificate for it. You have the same professional rights as a person with the German professional qualification.

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

There are significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification. You could not balance these differences with your professional experience and other knowledge in the profession. Therefore, your professional qualification is not equivalent to the German professional qualification and is therefore not recognised. You will not receive a license.

In most cases, you can take a compensatory action. This allows you to compensate for the significant differences.

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

Your professional qualifications are equivalent. But you do not meet all the other requirements for granting the licence. You may still have to prove that you are personally suitable or have certain knowledge of German. The competent body will inform you which evidence is missing.

These three results are possible. You can take legal action against the result or the decision of the competent body. Details of this procedure can be found in the notice of appeal at the end of your decision. We recommend: Talk to a counseling center first before you object or complain. Further information on legal remedies can be found [here] (https://www.lanuv.nrw.de/landesamt/zustigige-behoerde-fuer-certified-berufe/rufsankenn-veterarztaerztin).

I don't get any recognition. What can I do?

Fitness test as compensatory measure

If your professional qualification is not equivalent, you can take an aptitude test with which you can compensate for significant differences. Significant differences are listed in your notice.

If you successfully pass the aptitude test, you will receive a certificate. You must submit this certificate to the competent authority. The competent body checks the certificate and any other requirements (e.g. your personal suitability or health suitability). If you meet all the requirements, your professional qualification will be recognised. You will receive the licence and have the same professional rights as a person with the German professional qualification.

If you come from a third country, you may enter Germany for the compensatory measure. Please ask for advice on entry, e.g. on the hotline ‘Working and living in Germany’.

Consultation

If you do not meet all the requirements, you can check with the responsible body about your options. The competent body will help you, for example, if you have not been able to prove your personal aptitude or your knowledge of German.

Working without recognition: Occupational permit

If you have obtained your professional qualification in a third country, you can work without a licence for a limited period of time. You can apply for the so-called professional permit. With the professional permit, you may work under the supervision of a person with a licence. You must meet the following requirements for a professional permit:

Proof of your professional qualification
health suitability
personal suitability
Knowledge of German

You can apply for a professional permit from the competent authority. However, with a professional qualification from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, you will only receive a professional permit in rare cases.

You can also use the professional permit to prepare for a compensatory measure for recognition.

Working without recognition: Freedom to provide services

If you only want to offer services in Germany sometimes and for a short time, then you usually do not need recognition. You must then meet the following requirements:

be established in another EU, EEA or Swiss country
prove your professional qualification
notify or register your activity in writing with the competent body

Legal basis

Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications (Professional Qualifications Directive)
Federal Veterinary Regulations (BTÄO)
Ordinance on the Approval of Veterinarians (TAppV)

Learn more

Deadlines in the Federal Veterinary Regulations
List of national advisory centres in the EU, EEA and Switzerland
The national advice centre in your country will inform you about the certificate of conformity.

The competent body for application procedures in North Rhine-Westphalia is:

State Office for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection (LANUV)

Leibnizstraße 10
45659 Recklinghausen

The contact details can be found [here](https://www.lanuv.nrw.de/landesamt/attended-behoerde-for-certified-professions/professional recognition-veterinary physician).

Information on redress can be found here.

Veterinarian: Recognition of a training title

Obligation to notify

You have a notification obligation if you want to complete further education. This means that you must inform the Veterinary Chamber in writing before starting the training.

Competent bodies

Which Veterinary Chamber is responsible for you depends on your place of residence or your intended place of activity. The addresses and contact details of veterinarians in North Rhine-Westphalia can be found in the following list:

North Rhine-Westphalia Chamber of Veterinarians
St. Töniser Straße 15
47906 Kempen
Tel.: +49 2152 20558 0
Fax: +49 2152 20558-50
E-mail: info@tk-nr.de
www.tieraerztekammer-nordrhein.de

All necessary information on the application procedure and the application form can be found [here] (https://www.tieraerztekammer-nordrhein.de/tieraerzte/fachtierarzt-additional name/).

Veterinary Chamber of Westphalia-Lippe
Ms Rochell
Goebenstraße 50
48151 Münster
Tel.: +49 251 53594 20
E-mail: rochell@tieraerztekammer-wl.de
www.tieraerztekammer-wl.de

All necessary information on the application procedure can be found [here](https://www.tieraerztekammer-wl.de/fileadmin/user_upload/tak/02_Fuer_Tieraerzte/02.6_Legal bases/Publication_Homepage_WBO_Notes.pdf).

Various non-academic health professions

The following information relates to the following non-academic health professions:

Dietitians
Occupational therapists
Midwives and midwives
Speech therapists
Nursing assistants
Orthoptists
Health and paediatric nurses
Physiotherapists
nurses
Podiatrists
masseurs,
Med. Bathing masters
Emergency paramedics
Medical-technical laboratory assistants
Medical-technical radiology assistants
Medical-technical assistants for functional diagnostics
Pharmaceutical-technical assistants
Caregivers for the elderly
Elderly care workers

State permission to use the professional designation: Request

The professions listed are regulated in Germany. This means that you need a state permit if you want to work in one of these professions in Germany without restriction.

You must submit a separate application to the competent authority for permission to use the professional title in a health profession. You can apply if you have successfully passed the examination in one of the above-mentioned training occupations or if your professional qualification acquired abroad has been recognised as equivalent by the competent authority.

State permission to use the professional designation: Conditions

In order to obtain a permit to use the professional title in a health profession, you must meet the following requirements:

you have the required training and passed the state examination or you have a professional qualification for the health profession from the EU, the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland or a third country.
You are suitable for health, i.e. that you can work mentally and physically in the health profession.
You are reliable for working in the healthcare profession and have no criminal record.
You have the necessary knowledge of German (normally level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

State permission to use the professional designation: Documents

In order to enable the competent authority to verify the conditions for granting the authorisation, the following documents shall be submitted:

Application for the use of the professional title
Certificate of state examination or proof of equivalence of foreign professional qualification
Excerpt from the criminal record or certificate of good conduct from your country of origin as proof of your reliability (the proof may not be more than three months old at the time of application).
medical certificate of your health (The certificate may not be more than three months old at the time of application. The proof may be from an authority in your country of training.)
Traineeship certificate, if required by law

Recognition as an anaesthetic assistant (ATA)

Would you like to be recognised as an Anesthesiological Assistant (ATA)? Since 1 January 2022, the Münster district government has been responsible for the applications for equivalence for ATA in North Rhine-Westphalia:

District Government of Münster
Division 241 ZAG-PuG
Domplatz 1 - 3
48128 Münster

Tel. + 49 251 411 2444
E-mail: pug-recognition@bezreg-muenster.nrw.de

Information on the recognition of other professions can be found on the recognition portal: https://www.recognition-in-deutschland.de/

Recognition as Operational Assistant (OTA)

Would you like to be recognised as an Operational Assistant (OTA)? Since 1 January 2022, the Münster district government has been responsible for the applications for equivalence for OTA in North Rhine-Westphalia:

District Government of Münster
Division 241 ZAG-PuG
Domplatz 1 - 3
48128 Münster

Tel. + 49 251 411 2444
E-mail: pug-recognition@bezreg-muenster.nrw.de

Information on the recognition of other professions can be found on the recognition portal: https://www.recognition-in-deutschland.de/

Naturopath and naturopath in the field of physiotherapy

The practice of medicine is generally reserved for licensed doctors. However, it is possible to practice medicine professionally without having a licence to become a doctor. A licence within the meaning of Section 1(1) of the Heilpraktikergesetz (HeilprG) is required for this.

This permit opens up a wide range of medical activities. However, it is also possible to obtain a permit limited to the field of physiotherapy.

The contact details of the competent authority as well as information on the application and the application can be found [here] (https://www.bra.nrw.de/umwelt-gesundheit-arbeitsschutz/gesundheit-und-pflege/heilpraktikerinnen). The application may be submitted electronically by de-mail to the competent authority. Information on redress can be found here. The catalogue of criteria for the granting of the restricted naturopath's permit for the field of physiotherapy can be found here.

Naturopath and naturopath in the field of psychotherapy

If you want to practice medicine without being a doctor, you need a naturopath's license. This can be limited to the field of psychotherapy.

Medicine is practised when you detect, cure or alleviate illnesses and bodily harm in people, whether professionally or professionally – even if you do so in the service of others (§ 1 Abs. 2 Heilpraktikergesetz). Psychotherapy is also the practice of medicine within the meaning of this definition.

Unlike other non-academic health professions, there is no state-regulated training for naturopaths. Rather, it is up to the candidates themselves how they acquire the knowledge and skills required by the profession of ‘healing practitioner (psychotherapy)’. This can be done either by self-study or by attending a private school for naturopaths. However, since this is not a training profession, there is also no state examination regulations. Nevertheless, the authorisation to practise ‘medicine in the field of psychotherapy’ is subject to certain conditions.

Requirements

Completion of 25 years of age at the time of verification
completed school education (at least primary school or equivalent)
health suitability for the exercise of the profession
Proof of personal reliability, in particular no serious criminal or moral misconduct (document by presentation of a police certificate of good conduct document type O)
Evidence that the practice of medicine by you does not pose a danger to potential patients. You need sufficient basic knowledge or skills in the field of psychotherapy, which is tested in a written and oral examination or decided according to the file.

Required documents

Application for permission to practise medicine in the field of psychotherapy
tabular CV
Photocopy of ID card (both sides)
Proof of a successful completion of at least the secondary school or of an equivalent degree in certified photocopy
official certificate of good conduct for submission to authorities pursuant to Section 30(5) BZRG (document type O - Residents' Registration Office, Citizens' Office). The certificate must not be older than three months at the time of application.
Medical certificate certifying that you are physically and psychologically fit to carry out the intended activity. The certificate must not be older than three months at the time of application.
if applicable, evidence of ongoing or completed training in the field of psychotherapy

Please refer to the relevant information pages of the competent authorities to find out which documents you have to submit specifically or, if necessary, additionally when submitting your application.

fees

Fees are charged for carrying out the naturopath examination and the decision on the granting of permission. The amount of these fees is determined by the Fees Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) in conjunction with the General Administrative Fees Regulation (AVerwGebO) of North Rhine-Westphalia.

For an examination according to the file, 130 euros are charged in accordance with subheading 10.14.12 a) of the AVerwGebO NRW.

For the execution of the written (210 Euro) and oral (90 Euro) verification, administrative fees of 300 Euro will be charged. In addition, a payment for the co-sponsors is to be paid up to approximately 200 euros. The amount shall be determined at the end of the verification at the level of the costs actually incurred. The total amount of the fees to be paid will be charged to you upon completion of the procedure.

For an examination according to the file, 130 euros are charged in accordance with subheading 10.14.12 a) of the AVerwGebO NRW.

The administrative fee for the positive decision to grant permission for the professional practice of medicine without approval and approval costs 60 euros in accordance with subheading 10.14.13 AVerwGebO NRW.

If your application is rejected because you cannot prove the required knowledge, you will have to pay an administrative fee of 45 euros. This applies under Section 15(2) of the Fees Act (GebG) NRW, which states that the fee must be reduced by a quarter compared to the fee for the positive decision.

Appeal

Competent bodies

Administrative district Arnsberg: [lower health authority Dortmund](https://www.dortmund.de/en/leben_in_dortmund/health/health office/adult/medical practitioner/index.html)
Administrative district Detmold/Cologne: lower health authority Cologne
Administrative district of Düsseldorf (with the exception of the cities of Düsseldorf, Solingen and Wuppertal): [lower health authority Krefeld](https://www.krefeld.de/en/services/medical practitioner/)
Administrative district of Münster (for the cities of Münster and Gelsenkirchen and for the districts of Coesfeld, Warendorf and Recklinghausen): [lower health authority Recklinghausen](https://www.kreis-re.de/content/buergerservice/health_und_ernaehrung/health administration/index.asp?seite=offer&id=17373)

Food chemist and chemist

The profession of food chemist is regulated in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). The professional titles ‘State-certified food chemist’ and ‘State-certified food chemist’ are protected in NRW. You need formal permission to use this job title.

You must meet the following conditions to be able to call yourself a ‘State-certified food chemist’ or ‘State-certified food chemist’:

personal suitability
health suitability
German language skills
for persons from the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland: at least two years of professional experience in official food control or quality assurance
for persons who have obtained their professional qualification abroad: Recognition of qualifications

The competent authority for granting the right to use the professional title is:

State Office for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection (LANUV)
Leibnizstraße 10
45659 Recklinghausen
Tel.: +49 2361 305 0
Fax: +49 2361 305 3215
E-mail: poststelle@lanuv.nrw.de
www.lanuv.nrw.de

[The application form can be found here.](https://www.lanuv.nrw.de/fileadmin/lanuv/consumer/training/pdf/application_job title_LMC.pdf)

Disinfector or Disinfector

Disinfectors disinfect rooms, objects and surfaces to prevent the establishment or spread of pathogens.

Disinfector is a training or further education in the field of public health, which is regulated by state law. The minimum duration of the training is 130 hours. The training is divided into a theoretical part of 100 hours and a practical part of 30 hours.

Further information can be found here.

Health Inspector / Hygiene Inspector / Hygiene Inspector

Hygiene inspectors take over control and consulting tasks in the Public Health Service. They are mainly active in the areas of infection protection and disease prevention, environmental hygiene and hygiene in hospitals and other community facilities. They work primarily with local health administration authorities, in particular in health offices.

Training as a hygiene inspector takes three years. It is divided into a practical and a theoretical part. The practical part of at least 3,700 hours is completed at the health office and in external assignments. The theoretical part of the training lasts 900 hours. The trainees complete this course at the Academy for Public Health (AÖGW) in Düsseldorf or Berlin.

The training authority is the district or the district-free city. She recruits the trainees, assigns them to the practical training of the lower health authority and sends them to the Academy of Public Health for the theoretical course.

Further information can be found on the [website of the Academy of Public Health] (https://www.akademie-oegw.de/aus-und-weiterbildung/hygienekontrolleur/-in).

Curative pedagogue or curative pedagogue

The profession of curative educator is regulated in Germany, i.e. the professional titles ‘State-recognised curative educator’ and ‘State-recognised curative educator’ are protected. You can obtain this authorization if you meet the following requirements:

You may only call yourself ‘State-recognised curative educator’ or ‘State-recognised curative educator’ if:

your professional qualification has been recognised

and

you have been granted state recognition.

In order to obtain state recognition, you must meet other requirements in addition to the recognition of your professional qualification. These are, on the one hand, German language skills and, on the other hand, personal suitability.

Note: In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), on the one hand, there is university studies with the academic degrees ‘State-recognised curative educator’ and ‘State-recognised curative educator’. On the other hand, there is also a specialist school education with the academic degree ‘State-recognised curative educator’ and ‘State-recognised curative educator’. This distinction is important for the selection of the competent body and for the procedure.

If you have completed university studies with the academic qualification ‘State-recognised curative educator’ or ‘State-recognised curative educator’, the competent body for the equivalence test is the district government in which your permanent residence is located. Here you can find out which district government is responsible for your place of residence.

Further information on the recognition procedure can be found here:

[District Government of Arnsberg](https://www.bra.nrw.de/environmental health and safety at work/health and care/recognition-foreign-education-degrees-of-social professions)
[District Government of Detmold](https://www.bezreg-detmold.nrw.de/we-ueber-us/organisational structure/department-2/dezernat-24/social professions)
[District Government of Düsseldorf](https://www.brd.nrw.de/topics/health-social/social affairs/decision-on-the-authority-to-receive-or-exercise)
[District Government of Cologne](https://www.bezreg-koeln.nrw.de/system/files/media/document/file/health_and_social_recognition_medical professions_form_application_notification_vocational qualification.pdf)
District Government of Münster

If you have completed a specialised school education with the academic qualification ‘State-recognised curative educator’ or ‘State-recognised curative educator’, the competent body for the equivalence test depends on the country in which you have completed your specialised school education:

The [District Government of Arnsberg] (https://www.bra.nrw.de/bildung-schule/schulformen-Abschlussesse/recognition-auslaenderischer-fachschul-und-berufsfachschulabschlesse) is responsible for the equivalence examination of technical school qualifications from Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
The [District Government of Detmold] (https://www.bezreg-detmold.nrw.de/wir-ueber-us/organisational structure/department-4/dezernat-48/recognition-of-foreign-0) is responsible for the equivalence examination of technical school diplomas from Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary and the countries that emerged from the former USSR.
The [District Government of Düsseldorf] (https://www.brd.nrw.de/services/recognition-auslaendischer-bildungsnachweise) is responsible for the equivalence examination of specialist school diplomas from Greece, Austria, Switzerland, Turkey and the countries that emerged from the former Yugoslavia.
The [District Government of Cologne] (https://www.bezreg-koeln.nrw.de/topics/school-and-education/recognition-of-certificates-and-education-degrees/foreign) is responsible for the equivalence examination of vocational qualifications from Belgium, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.
The [District Government of Münster] (https://www.bezreg-muenster.de/en/schule_und_bildung/schulrecht_schulorganisation_abschluesse_sprachen/recognition_von_bildungs_und_berufsnachweisen/Auslaendische_bildungsnachweise/index.html) is responsible for the equivalence examination of vocational qualifications from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and all non-European countries (with the exception of the former Yugoslavia and the former USSR).

teacher; Also: Special pedagogical teaching positions

The profession of teacher is regulated by the state in Germany. This means that you have a certain education and must meet certain requirements. Only then can you obtain a qualification for a teacher's office, which opens up access to professional practice.

The training includes a teacher training course (degree through the First State Examination) and pedagogical-practical training within the preparatory service (degree through the Second State Examination). In North Rhine-Westphalia, teachers usually have training in two subjects. There are the following teaching positions (teaching qualifications):

Teaching at primary schools
Teaching at primary, real, secondary and comprehensive schools
Teacher training at grammar schools and comprehensive schools
Teacher training at vocational colleges
Teacher's Office for Special Needs Education

If you have obtained a teacher qualification abroad and would like to obtain the qualification for one of the teaching positions in North Rhine-Westphalia, your foreign professional qualification must be recognised by the competent district government. In addition to the recognition of your foreign teacher training, you must meet other requirements for access to the profession. These are:

Personal suitability
health suitability
Knowledge of the German language, which allows use in the classroom and the perception of all activities of a teacher

In NRW, the district government of Arnsberg is responsible for the recognition of teaching qualifications obtained in countries of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) or in Switzerland:

Arnsberg district government
Seibertzstraße 1
59821 Arnsberg
Telephone: +49 2931 82 0
Fax: +49 2931 82 2520
E-mail: poststelle@bezreg-arnsberg.nrw.de
www.bra.nrw.de

Here you will find the [application form and further information on the recognition of teaching qualifications] (https://www.bezreg-detmold.nrw.de/we-ueber-us/organisational structure/department-4/dezernat-46/recognition-lehramt) obtained in EU or EEA countries or in Switzerland.
Here you can ask the point of single contact to coordinate the procedure.

In North Rhine-Westphalia, the district government of Detmold is responsible for the recognition of teaching qualifications obtained in third countries (i.e. not in EU or EEA countries or Switzerland):

Detmold district government
Leopoldstraße 15
32756 Detmold
Telephone: +49 5231 71 0
Fax: +49 5231 71 1295
E-mail: poststelle@bezreg-detmold.nrw.de
www.bezreg-detmold.nrw.de

Further [information and the application form for recognition of teaching qualifications] (https://www.bezreg-detmold.nrw.de/wir-ueber-us/organisational structure/department-4/dezernat-46#paragraph_text_6810) acquired in third countries (i.e. not in EU or EEA countries or Switzerland) can be found here.

Please send your application directly to the responsible body.

Social worker; Social pedagogue / social pedagogue

The professions of social worker and social pedagogue are regulated in Germany. This means that the professional titles ‘State-recognised social worker/social pedagogue’ and ‘State-recognised social worker/social pedagogue’ are protected. To use the job title, you need a formal authorization. You can obtain this if you meet the following requirements:

Your professional qualification has been recognised

and

the state recognition has been granted to you

Note: It used to be possible to study ‘social work’ or ‘social pedagogy’ in Germany. Today in Germany there is usually a study for both. This means that you can usually apply for recognition for both job titles.

The competent body for the equivalence test is the district government in whose administrative district your permanent residence is located. Here you can find out which district government is responsible for your place of residence.

Further information on the recognition procedure can be found here:

[District Government of Arnsberg](https://www.bra.nrw.de/environmental health and safety at work/health and care/recognition-foreign-education-degrees-of-social professions)
[District Government of Detmold](https://www.bezreg-detmold.nrw.de/we-ueber-us/organisational structure/department-2/dezernat-24/social professions)
[District Government of Düsseldorf](https://www.brd.nrw.de/services/recognition-foreign-education certificates)
[District Government of Cologne](https://www.bezreg-koeln.nrw.de/topics/health-and-social/recognition-of-equivalence-foreign-education conclusions)
District Government of Münster

Interpreter

In principle, you can also work as an interpreter in Germany without formal recognition. However, you will not be able to interpret for courts, public prosecutors or notaries. You can only do this with a general sworn oath as an interpreter or interpreter. You must apply for this general oath.

The competent body for the application in NRW is the Higher Regional Court in whose area of business you have your main residence or professional establishment. If you have neither a place of business nor a place of residence in NRW, the President of the Higher Regional Court, in whose district you wish to exercise your activity predominantly, has jurisdiction.

This is:

In the area of business of the President of the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf:
The President of the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf
Cecilienallee 3
40474 Düsseldorf
In the area of business of the President of the Higher Regional Court of Hamm:
The President of the Higher Regional Court of Hamm
Heßlerstraße 53
59065 Hamm
In the area of business of the President of the Higher Regional Court of Cologne:
The President of the Higher Regional Court of Cologne
Reichenspergerplatz 1
50670 Cologne

You can determine which Higher Regional Court is responsible for you [here](https://www.justiz.nrw/Courts_Authorities/Numbers_Facts/Authority Concentration/olg.pdf).

For the General Sworn Sworn Sworn Sworn Sworn Sworn Sworn Sworn Sworn Sworn Sworn Sworn Sworn Sworn Sworn Sworn Sworn Sworn Sworn Sworn Sworn Sworn Sworn Sworn These are you if you have completed an interpreter exam at a university, university of applied sciences, chamber of industry and commerce (IHK) or another state or state-recognised exam. The Higher Regional Court checks whether your qualification from abroad meets the requirements for professional suitability.

In addition to professional competence as an interpreter, you must also meet other requirements in NRW. So you also have to be personally suitable and reliable. This means in detail:

you live in orderly economic conditions, i.e. you have no financial problems.
You have not committed any crimes and have not been convicted in the last five years.
You are flexible, i.e. you are ready to accept short-term orders if necessary.

Any person who satisfies the above conditions may go through the procedure. It is irrelevant what nationality you have or in which country you have obtained your professional qualification. As a rule, you can also apply from abroad.

Further information on the procedure and the application form can be found on the [Justice Portal NRW] page (https://www.justiz.nrw.de/courts_authorities/addresses/interpreters__u_uebersetzer/index.php).

The administrative procedure may be carried out electronically. Electronic documents can be sent securely and confidentially to the competent authority via the [electronic judicial and administrative mailbox] (https://egvp.justiz.de/) (EGVP). Special rules apply to linguists from EU countries, which are listed in the notes on temporary registration (see above link to the NRW e-Justice Portal).

If you wish, you can also have the procedure electronically coordinated by the [Point of Single Contact NRW] (/ticket-system-ea/).

Translator

Basically, you can also work as a translator in Germany without formal recognition. However, you will not be able to translate for courts, public prosecutors or notaries. You can only do this with an empowerment. To do so, you must apply for authorisation as a translator.

This is:

In the area of business of the President of the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf:
The President of the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf
Cecilienallee 3
40474 Düsseldorf
In the area of business of the President of the Higher Regional Court of Hamm:
The President of the Higher Regional Court of Hamm
Heßlerstraße 53
59065 Hamm
In the area of business of the President of the Higher Regional Court of Cologne:
The President of the Higher Regional Court of Cologne
Reichenspergerplatz 1
50670 Cologne

You can find out which Higher Regional Court is responsible for you [here] (https://www.justizadressen.nrw.de/en/justiz/suche).

You do not need to have your professional qualification recognised in advance in order to be authorised. However, an important prerequisite for the authorisation as a translator is that you are technically suitable. You are technically suitable if you have completed a translator examination at a university, university of applied sciences, chamber of industry and commerce (IHK) or another state or state-recognised examination. The Higher Regional Court checks whether your qualification from abroad meets the requirements for professional suitability.

In addition to professional competence as a translator, you must also meet other requirements in NRW. So you also have to be personally suitable and reliable. This means in detail:

you live in orderly economic conditions, i.e. you have no financial problems.
You have not committed any crimes and have not been convicted in the last five years.
You are flexible, i.e. you are ready to accept short-term orders if necessary.

The administrative procedure may be carried out electronically. Electronic documents can be sent securely and confidentially to the competent authority via the electronic judicial and administrative mailbox (EGVP). Special regulations apply to language mediators from EU countries, which are listed in the notes on temporary registration (see above link to the NRW e-Justice Portal).

Here you can also have the procedure electronically coordinated by the NRW Single Point of Contact.

Lawyer

The legal profession is regulated in Germany. That is to say, the taking up or pursuit of that profession is bound by State rules to the possession of certain qualifications.

The competent body for recognition is:

Joint Examination Office of the federal states of Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland and Thuringia for the acceptance of the aptitude test for admission to the bar
Martin Luther square 40
40212 Düsseldorf
Telephone: +49 211 8792 276
Fax: +49 211 8792 418
E-mail: ljpa@jm.nrw.de
www.justiz.nrw.de/courts_authorities/landesjustizpruefungsamt

In principle, foreign legal degrees are not recognised in Germany. However, it is possible to be admitted to the legal preparatory service if the applicants have foreign qualifications and the necessary knowledge of German law. European lawyers can be admitted to the German legal profession under certain conditions.

If you have obtained your legal degree in the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you can seek access to the Legal Preparatory Service (Referendariat). At the end of this preparatory service, you can apply for admission as a lawyer after successfully passing the Second State Examination in Law, or for admission as a European lawyer. If you are granted this authorisation, you can pursue an activity under your original professional title. In addition, you have the possibility to be admitted as a German lawyer – under certain conditions. In both cases, the equivalence of your foreign professional qualification with the German degree must be determined by the competent body.

The prerequisite for working as a lawyer is that you are qualified to hold a German judicial office (Section 5 of the German Judicial Act; DRiG). This means that you must have successfully passed two state legal exams. In Germany, the First State Examination in Law completes the study of law, the Second State Examination completes the preparatory service (referendariat) following the study. In addition, admission to the bar is required by the Bar Association.

The prerequisite for practicing as a European lawyer is that you are registered with the competent body in your country of origin as a European lawyer and are admitted by the German Bar Association. Then you can work in Germany under the job title of your country of origin. After three years, you can then be admitted to the German Bar if you can prove knowledge of German law or present sufficiently processed cases.

Further information on the procedure and the application form can be found here (https://www.justiz.nrw.de/courts_authorities/landesjustizpruefungsamt/ausl_jur_abschluesse/index.php).

If you wish, you can also have the procedure electronically coordinated by the [Point of Single Contact NRW] (/ticket-system-ea/).

European lawyer

The legal profession is regulated in Germany. This means that the taking up or pursuit of this profession is subject to the possession of certain qualifications by state regulations.

The competent body for recognition is:

If you have obtained your legal degree in the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you can pursue the following:

access to the preparatory legal service (referendariat) – at the end of the preparatory service, you can apply for admission to the lawyer after successfully passing the Second State Legal Examination – or
admission as a European lawyer - if you are granted this admission, you can pursue an activity under your original professional title and also have the opportunity to be admitted as a German lawyer under certain conditions.

In both cases, the equivalence of your foreign professional qualification with the German degree must be determined by the competent body.

The prerequisite for the practice of the profession is that you are registered with the competent body in your country of origin as a European lawyer and admitted by the German Bar Association. Then you can work in Germany under the job title of your country of origin. After three years, you can then be admitted to the German Bar if you can prove knowledge of German law or present sufficiently processed cases.

Further information on the procedure and the application form can be found [here]
(https://www.justiz.nrw.de/courts_authorities/landesjustizpruefungsamt/ausl_jur_abschluesse/index.php).

If you wish, you can also have the procedure electronically coordinated by the [Point of Single Contact NRW] (/ticket-system-ea/).

Tax consultant

The profession of tax consultant is regulated in Germany. That is to say, the taking up or pursuit of that profession is bound by State rules to the possession of certain qualifications.

The competent body for recognition is:

Joint Audit Office of the Chambers of Tax Advisors Düsseldorf, Cologne and Westfalen-Lippe
Grafenberger Allee 100
40237 Düsseldorf
Telephone: +49 211 5989 4410
Fax: +49 211 5989 4450
E-mail: mail@steuerberaterpruefung-nrw.de
www.steuerberaterpruefung-nrw.de

If you have obtained your certificate of competence or training in the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you can take an aptitude test for a tax consultant (shortened tax consultant examination) to recognise your profession.

The procedure is as follows:

You submit an application for admission to the aptitude test with the necessary documents to the Chamber of Tax Advisors. The Chamber of Tax Advisors then compares your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification and examines the requirements for admission to the aptitude test.

The results of the test may be as follows:

your professional qualification and practice have all the contents of the aptitude test - the aptitude test is not necessary for you.
You must take the aptitude test - the Chamber of Tax Advisors will inform you of the date and place of the aptitude test in a decision. The aptitude test may take place a maximum of six months after the decision of the Chamber of Tax Advisors.

Admission to the aptitude test in accordance with § 37a Abs. 2 Steuerberatungsgesetz (StBerG) requires that the qualifications required therein have been obtained in a state of the EU (Member State) or a state from the EEA (Contracting State) or Switzerland.

However, persons who only have evidence of formal qualifications from other countries may in any case apply for admission to the regular tax advisor examination, provided that they meet the requirements of § 36 StBerG.

In principle, all applicants have the right to choose between the tax consultant examination and the aptitude test. If both the prerequisites for admission to the tax consultant examination and the prerequisites for admission to the aptitude test are met, applicants are free to choose which form of examination they wish to apply for. In practice, the majority decides to apply for the regular tax advisor examination.

Admission to the aptitude test must be requested in writing on an official form of the respective competent Chamber of Tax Advisors. The application must be accompanied by the documents required by law. An application deadline is not to be observed for the application for admission to the aptitude test. However, applications for admission to the regular tax advisor examination are subject to deadlines and must be submitted to the competent chamber of tax advisors by 30 April of the respective year. Fees are charged for the processing of an application for admission to the examination and for participation in the examination.

The application and the documents to be attached, if they come from applicants, must be submitted in German. Other documents must be submitted with a certified translation into German.

Further information on the procedure and the application form can be found here.

If you wish, you can also have the procedure electronically coordinated by the [Point of Single Contact NRW] (/ticket-system-ea/).

Traffic psychology consultants

Psychologists may provide traffic psychological counselling for probationary driving licence holders in accordance with Section 2a(7) of the Road Traffic Act (StVG). However, you will need confirmation from the Traffic Psychology Section of the Professional Association of German Psychologists e.V.

Competent body for the application procedure:

German Psychologist Academy
At the Köllnische Park 2
10179 Berlin
Tel.: +49 30 209166 0
E-mail: info@psychologenakademie.de
www.psychologenakademie.de

Expiry Application and Evidence

In order to receive the confirmation as a traffic psychology consultant, an application in written form including all required evidence (in copy) must be submitted to the German Psychologist Academy. There are forms for this. The same applies to an intended extension of the confirmation. Applications, including attachments, can be found in PDF format on the [website](https://www.psychologenakademie.de/certificate/traffic psychologist consultant/) of the German Psychologist Academy.

All necessary information on the application process can be found here.

Application form: [First application](https://www.psychologenakademie.de/wp-content/uploads/first application traffic psychology consultant.pdf)

Application form: [Request for extension](https://www.psychologenakademie.de/wp-content/uploads/request for extension-traffic psychologist-consultant.pdf)

Finder of recognition

With the help of the recognition finder, you can search for the local authority responsible for your equivalence test and find out about the procedure. It is only necessary to enter the reference profession and the place where you want to work.

To the recognition finder

Cookies are used on this site.

This website uses cookies. Some cookies are technically necessary, others are used to analyze user behavior in order to optimize the offer. You can find an explanation of the cookies used in our Privacy Policy. You can also find further information in our Imprint.