Apply for exemption from registration in the register of craftsmen

Registration in the register of skilled crafts is required if you wish to operate a skilled craft subject to licensing on a self-employed basis in Germany or if you wish to act as a company manager.

This also applies if

• you want to practice a significant part of a craft subject to licensing on a self-employed basis.
• you want to practice several crafts subject to licensing on a self-employed basis. In this case, you need to be entered in the register of skilled crafts for each skilled craft subject to registration.

In order to be entered in the register of skilled crafts, you must usually pass a master craftsman's examination. If taking the master craftsman's examination is an unreasonable burden for you and you have knowledge and skills equivalent to those of a master craftsman, you can apply for an exemption from registration in the register of skilled crafts.

Reasons for exemption can be, among others:

• advanced age,
• family situations,
• serious illness or disability,
• existence of other examinations,
• long waiting periods for master examinations.

Each exceptional reason is examined on a case-by-case basis. In addition, you must demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to practice the craft.

The exemption permit can be issued with ancillary conditions. For example, granting with a time-limited exemption is conceivable if taking the master craftsman's examination is only temporarily unreasonable.

Requirements

• The master's examination must be an unreasonable burden for you.
• You must have knowledge and skills to practice the craft.

What documents do I need?

• Application for the granting of an exemption for the entry in the register of craftsmen
• Evidence for the exception reason
• Evidence of knowledge and skills relevant to the trade