Hamburg Institute for Vocational Education and Training (HIBB)

Apply for professional recognition of a foreign qualification as an educator

Prerequisites

You have completed training or studies in the pedagogical field abroad.

You would like to work as an educator in Hamburg.

Documents required

• Application form completely filled out and signed
• Current curriculum vitae
• ID card or passport
• Proof of residence in Hamburg (e.g. through registration confirmation) or of employment in Hamburg
• You don't live in Hamburg yet? Then you have to prove: You want to live or work in Hamburg (e.g. through applications, entry visa for employment, personal declaration)
• Name change certificate or marriage certificate (if your name changed through marriage)
• School leaving certificate
• Proof of your qualifications: diploma, training certificate or degree
• Evidence of the content and duration of the training: e.g. subject lists, grade overview, diploma supplement, transcript of records, etc.
• Proof of professional experience: e.g. job reference or work book
• Notifications/letters from other recognition bodies or authorities (if available)

Please also submit the German translation of your documents. This translation should be issued by a sworn translator. No translation is necessary for English documents.

Please do not submit original documents, but copies.

If you no longer have some documents, please provide a written explanation. We can find a solution together.

Deadlines

No

Procedure

The application:

You can apply for professional recognition in writing or online. You can either send your application by post or by email.

Please fill out the application form and send it to us. Please attach copies of all required documents to your application. As soon as we receive your application, you will receive a confirmation of receipt by email.

The processing:

Once we have received all of your documents, your application will be reviewed. The following will be checked: Are your professional qualifications equivalent to the professional qualifications of the kindergarten teacher in Hamburg? The content of the training and the duration of the training are important factors for this comparison. Your professional experience and further training will also be taken into account. You will then receive a notification with the decision on your application and further information for you. We will then be happy to offer you a consultation appointment.

The result:

If your qualification is equivalent, you will receive state recognition. You can use the job title of state-recognized educator. You will then have the same professional rights as a person with a German professional qualification. Your professional qualification will be recognized.

Are there significant but compensable differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? In this case, your professional qualification will be partially recognized. You can then take a compensatory measure. This will allow you to compensate for the significant differences.

There are various compensatory measures:

• Adaptation course: You complete additional training at a technical college or other further training.

• Aptitude test: You take an exam.

• Practice: You work and gain professional experience.

You can choose between an adaptation course or an aptitude test. If you successfully complete the compensation measure, you will receive full recognition.

Processing time

The statutory processing period is a maximum of 3 months.

Fees

There are no costs

Legal remedies

An objection can be lodged against the decision of equivalence determination within one month of notification. A wholly or partially unsuccessful objection procedure is subject to a fee.

Legal basis

Title: Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of September 7, 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications


URL: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32005L0036




Name: Hamburg Act on Determining the Equivalence of Foreign Professional Qualifications (Hamburg Occupational Qualification Determination Act - HmbBQFG) of June 19, 2012




URL: https://www.landesrecht-hamburg.de/bsha/document/jlr-BQFGHApG1/part/G


Name: Training and examination regulations of the technical school for social education and the technical school for curative education (APO-FSH) from July 16, 2002


URL: https://www.landesrecht-hamburg.de/bsha/document/jlr-SozP%C3%A4dFSchulAPOHFRAME/part/R