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

You apply for recognition at the competent office in the federal state in which you would like to work. The procedure for recognition is called: Gleichwertigkeitsfeststellung (BQFG Land). Please note: Your qualification must be state-recognized in the state of your training. Informal or non-formal qualifications cannot be officially recognized in Germany.

There are about 200 vocational school degrees and technical college degrees in Germany. To apply for an equivalence determination, you must identify a German training qualification or continuing education qualification. This German qualification must match your professional qualification. We therefore recommend that you: Get advice before submitting your application!

In Bremen, equivalences can be issued for the following degrees:

• Business economist
• Movement teacher for gymnastics, dance and sports
• Biological-technical assistant
• Chemical-technical assistant
• Specialist for home economics and family care
• Foreign language correspondent
• Technical design assistant - graphics
• Gymnastics and dance teacher
• Curative education nurse
• Information technology assistant
• Commercial assistant - foreign languages
• Commercial assistant - information processing
• Pediatric nurse
• Mathematical-technical assistant
• Nursing assistant - geriatric nursing assistance
• Nursing assistant - special education nursing assistant
• Pharmaceutical-technical assistant
• Physical-technical assistant
• Social pedagogical assistant
• Technician - chemical engineering
• Technician - Electrical Engineering
• Technician - Food technology
• Technician - Mechanical engineering
• Technician - Mechatronics
• Technician - Wind energy technology

In the equivalence assessment, the competent body compares your professional qualification with a specific German professional qualification in the federal state in which you would like to work. Important criteria in the comparison are the content and duration of the training.

You will receive a notification of the result of the procedure. The notification will list existing professional qualifications and any professional qualifications that are still missing. The certificate enables employers to better assess your professional qualifications. This can make it easier for you to find a job. For professionals abroad outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, a recognition procedure is usually a prerequisite for the issuance of a visa.

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

You can also apply for an 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.