Authority for urban development and housing

Apply for recognition as a structural engineer

Prerequisites

• You have completed a degree in civil engineering, ideally with a focus on statics, structural engineering or structural engineering.
• You have several years of professional experience in structural engineering (usually at least 5 years).
• You have extensive practical experience in preparing and checking static calculations as well as in supporting construction projects.
• You have proven technical skills and are able to assess complex projects.
• You have no economic or personal interests in the construction projects you are reviewing.
• You can demonstrate your skills in an exam or by submitting work samples.
• After the provisional recognition, you will complete a kind of “trainee period” in which you will carry out further examinations under supervision.
• Once these requirements have been met, you will be finally recognized as a structural engineer.

Documents required

Please attach the following documents to your application:

• graduation certificate in civil engineering
• Certificates of your previous work in structural engineering (at least 5 years)
• Evidence of independently created or verified static calculations and projects that demonstrate your specialist knowledge (digital folder with at least 8 and a maximum of 10 projects)
• Certificates or evidence of further training in the field of structural engineering and structural planning (if available)
• current certificate of good conduct to prove your reliability
• CV with emphasis on professional positions and experience
• Written declaration that you are working independently and without commercial interests on the projects to be reviewed
• If necessary, you can obtain further documents from the responsible authority.

Please note

As a test engineer, you check the static calculations and ensure that all materials, components and structures can withstand the loads.

They work closely with architects, construction companies and developers to ensure that the planning is implemented correctly.

They check whether building regulations and safety standards are being followed to prevent risks such as collapses.

With your expertise, you make a significant contribution to ensuring that buildings are safe, stable and durable.

If you move your place of business from Hamburg to another federal state, your recognition as a test engineer will be withdrawn.

Deadlines

You need official recognition from the responsible body before you can work as a structural engineer.

Procedure

• You fill out the application form for recognition as a structural engineer and submit it to the responsible authority along with the required documents.
• The responsible authority will examine your application and documents. If necessary, it will request further documents or information from you.
• The responsible body checks whether you meet the general and special requirements according to the Testing Ordinance.
• You demonstrate in a practical procedure or examination that you have the necessary skills. This includes preparing and checking static proofs as well as specialist knowledge of building regulations.
• If you have successfully passed all exams, you will receive provisional recognition as a structural engineer.
• You will complete a two-year candidate period during which you will be supervised by the Structural Engineering Testing Institute.
• If you have successfully completed the candidate period, you will receive your recognition as a structural engineering test engineer.
• They are subject to the technical supervision of the testing center for structural engineering and assume tasks in the field of building supervision.

Processing time

The recognition procedure usually takes 3 months.


The candidate period following provisional recognition lasts 2 years.

Fees

The fees for recognition are EUR 500.00 per subject area.


During the candidate period, additional project-dependent support costs will be incurred.

Payment methods available

• Bill

Legal remedies

contradiction

Legal basis

§ 6 of the Ordinance on Testing Engineers, Testing Experts and Technical Tests (Testing Ordinance - PVO)


https://epub.sub.uni-hamburg.de/epub/volltexte/2009/3709/pdf/pruefverregulation_pvo.pdf