Hamburg Institute for Vocational Education and Training (HIBB)

Apply for recognition of a foreign professional qualification under the BQFG

Prerequisites

You live and work in Hamburg and have a foreign qualification in one of the following professions:

• Social-educational assistance,
• Biological-Technical Assistance (BTA),
• Chemical-Technical Assistant (CTA),
• Commercial assistance with a focus on foreign languages,
• Media industry or event and leisure industry,
• Housekeeper (school-based training),
• Design assistance for technical communication and
• Product design or screen design,
• Costume master or costume mistress,
• Technician (further training) in the fields of civil engineering,
• Chemical engineering, electrical engineering,
• Paint and varnish technology, aviation technology,
• wood technology,
• Body and vehicle construction technology,
• Mechanical engineering,
• Mechatronics,
• Environmental protection technology

Documents required

• All documents not in German or English must also be submitted in a German translation. This translation must be issued by a sworn translator.
• The documents submitted must not be the originals; submit only copies. If you no longer have some documents, please provide a written explanation.
• Documents to be submitted:
  • Application form - fully completed and signed
  • Current CV
  • Identity card or passport
  • Proof of residence in Hamburg (for example, by confirmation of registration) or of employment in Hamburg
  • If you don’t live in Hamburg yet:
    • Proof that you intend to live or work in Hamburg. For example, through applications, an entry visa for employment, a personal statement, or similar.
  • If your name has changed:
    • Name change certificate or marriage certificate
  • School leaving certificate (not required for academic qualifications)
  • Proof of your qualification: 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)
  • Proof of professional experience (e.g. employment certificate or work book)
  • Notices or letters from other recognition bodies or authorities (if applicable)

Please note

Deadlines

No

Procedure

You can apply for professional recognition in writing or online.

If you wish to apply for professional recognition in writing:

• You fill out the application form and send it to the responsible authority along with a copy of all required documents.
• The responsible authority will examine your application and documents.
• If necessary, you will request further documents.
• You will receive notification of the decision on your application.

If your qualification is equivalent:

• You will receive state recognition in your chosen profession.
• They are allowed to use the professional title and have the same rights as a person with a German professional qualification.

If your qualifications are not equivalent:

• Your professional qualifications are partially recognized. You can then take a compensatory measure to compensate for the identified differences.
• There are various compensatory measures; if you successfully complete the compensatory measures, you will receive full recognition.

If you want to apply for professional recognition online:

• You fill out the application form and send it by email with all required documents to the responsible office.
• The remaining steps correspond to those for the written application.

Processing time

The statutory processing period is a maximum of 3 months.

Fees

No

Legal remedies

Contradiction

Legal basis

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


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




Hamburg Law on the Determination of the Equivalence of Foreign Professional Qualifications (Hamburg Professional Qualifications Determination Act - HmbBQFG) of 19 June 2012


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




Training and examination regulations of the vocational school for the respective reference occupation