Apply for recognition of vocational and technical school qualifications with a foreign professional qualification

You apply for recognition at the competent authority in the federal state in which you wish to work. The procedure for recognition is called: Equivalency assessment (BQFG Land). Please note: Your qualification must be state-recognized in the state in which you trained. Informal or non-formal qualifications cannot be officially recognized in Germany.

There are around 200 vocational and technical school qualifications in Germany. To apply for an equivalence assessment, you must identify a German training qualification or further education qualification. This German qualification must match your professional qualification. We therefore recommend that you do this: Seek advice before submitting your application!

In Bremen, equivalence certificates can be issued for the following qualifications:

• Business economist
• Business economist - personal services
• Movement teacher for gymnastics, dance and sport
• Biological-technical assistant
• Chemical-technical assistant
• Home economics and family care specialist
• Foreign language correspondent
• Health sports teacher and movement therapist
• Technical design assistant - graphics
• Information technology assistant
• Commercial assistant - foreign languages
• Commercial assistant - information processing
• Childcare assistant
• Mathematical-technical assistant
• Nursing assistant - geriatric care assistant
• Nursing assistant - curative education assistant
• Pharmaceutical-technical assistant
• Socio-educational assistant
• Technician - chemical engineering
• Technician - Electrical engineering
• Technician - Computer science
• Technician - Food Technology
• Technician - Mechanical Engineering
• Technician - Mechatronics

When determining equivalence, the competent authority compares your professional qualification with a specific German professional qualification in the federal state in which you wish to work. Important criteria in the comparison are the content and duration of the training.

You will receive a decision on the outcome of the procedure. The decision will state your existing professional qualifications and any missing professional qualifications. The decision enables employers to better assess your professional qualifications. This can make it easier for you to find a job. For skilled workers abroad outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, a recognition procedure is usually a prerequisite for obtaining a visa.

You can obtain initial advice on the application, procedure, costs, duration and possibilities for financial support, for example, from the advice centers of the IQ network ("Integration through Qualification").

You can also apply for equivalence assessment from abroad.

Requirements

• You have a state-recognized professional qualification from abroad.
• Your professional qualification must match a vocational school diploma or technical school diploma in your federal state.

What documents do I need?

• Proof of identity
  

  e.g. identity card or passport

• Marriage certificate (if your name has changed due to marriage)
• Information on applications for recognition already submitted
  

  Indicate the office to which you submitted the application.

• Perhaps: information about an already submitted application for recognition.
  

  Then indicate the office to which you submitted the application.

• Notes on the documents
  

  If your documents are not in German, you must submit German translations of your documents. The translations must be made by translators who are publicly appointed or authorized.

  You can submit the documents in written form (mail or e-mail) or in person.

  We advise against sending original documents by mail.