Basics of professional recognition

For some professions (so-called regulated professions), recognition is even mandatory in order to be able to work in Germany. In regulated professions, you need recognition of your professional qualification in order to practice the profession or to use the professional title. Without recognition, you may not work in these professions in Germany with your vocational qualification obtained abroad. In Germany, these professions include doctors, educators, engineers, nurses, teachers or lawyers.

A list of regulated professions can be found at the bottom of the page under the section ‘Downloads on professional recognition’. You can also check in the European Commission database whether your profession is a regulated profession, see here.

In non-regulated professions, recognition for the exercise of the profession is not required. In these professions, you are allowed to apply and work directly on the labour market. However, an assessment of your degree can still be helpful in making your foreign qualification more understandable to employers and companies. In addition, you will have access to professional training with a degree recognised as equivalent.

Further information can be found on the website Recognition in Germany

Foreign university degrees that do not lead to a regulated profession are not regulated by the Federal Recognition Act. Graduates of these courses can apply directly to the German labour market. However, in order to have better career opportunities in Germany, they have the opportunity to have their university degree assessed by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB), see here.

The responsibility for the recognition of school certificates, educational certificates or diplomas in NRW is distributed among various authorities and organisations. Information on responsibilities can be found here.

For the examination of the university admission qualification, foreign nationals with foreign educational qualifications contact the German university of their choice directly. The recognition of study and examination achievements is usually carried out by the universities. In the case of nationwide numerus clausus subjects, the evaluation is carried out by the Foundation for University Admission. The conduct of an academic degree is regulated by state law. Information is available from the [Ministry of Science and Culture in North Rhine-Westphalia] (https://www.mkw.nrw/).

We recommend that you seek professional recognition advice before submitting your application. This allows you to avoid errors in the application or delays in processing.

The counselling services are free of charge.

Central Service Centre for Professional Recognition

Are you still abroad? Then you can call or write to the hotline ‘Working and living in Germany’ for an initial consultation. The Central Service Centre for Professional Recognition (ZSBA) is at your disposal for in-depth advice and support in the recognition process. The ZSBA helps with the application process. She advises you on qualification opportunities and job market prospects and accompanies you through the recognition process until your entry into Germany.

Do you already live in North Rhine-Westphalia? Then you can contact the IQ network in NRW. The IQ counselling centres in North Rhine-Westphalia are pleased to support you on your way to professional recognition:

• We accompany you in the procedures for the recognition of your professional or academic degree.
• We will inform you about financial support options.
• We help with the mediation and support of suitable measures that
  Equivalence of your financial statements.

Anyone who has learned a profession abroad can have their professional qualifications recognised in Germany. However, the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) also allows employees who have been working in a profession for a long time without a degree to take an examination for this profession without having to undergo all vocational training.

The German government’s multilingual ‘Make it in Germany’ portal is aimed at professionals from abroad. It informs those interested in immigration how they can successfully make their way to Germany – from preparations in the country of origin to arrival and the first steps in Germany.