School development / control and advice

Apply for recognition of a foreign professional qualification

Prerequisites

Documents required

Submit clearly legible, labeled, and sorted color PDF scans. Combine related documents into a single PDF file (e.g., diploma documents). Do not send individual pages. Also submit a German translation of your documents. The translation must be certified by a sworn translator. English documents do not require a translation.

- Application form (does not apply to online procedures)

- Proof of your residence in Hamburg (e.g. registration certificate or proof of residence)

- Current and complete CV

- Proof of identity (e.g. identity card or passport)

- Name change certificate or marriage certificate (only in case of name change)

- School leaving certificate (not required for academic degrees)

- Proof of your professional qualifications (e.g. diploma, training certificate or university degree)

- Evidence of the content and duration of vocational training (e.g. subject lists, grade overview, diploma supplement)

- Evidence of your professional experience (e.g., work references or employment record book)

You don't yet live in Hamburg? Please submit your application in the German federal state where you live or work (or will work). Applications may only be submitted in one federal state. We are only responsible if you live or work (or will work) in Hamburg. Please send us supporting documentation: for example, at least two employer responses to your job applications in Hamburg or a Hamburg employment contract. We also accept the location consultation provided by the Central Service Point for Professional Recognition (ZSBA). Additionally, we request a personal statement explaining why and when you will be moving to Hamburg.

Deadlines

No.

Procedure

The authority is reviewing your application in accordance with the Hamburg Professional Qualifications Assessment Act (HmbBQFG). This procedure is called the determination of equivalence.
It will be assessed whether you have completed vocational training and whether your professional qualification is comparable in content to the German qualification. You will receive a notification with the result and further information. We are happy to advise you on your options and answer your questions. If your qualification is equivalent, you will receive state recognition. If there are significant but compensable differences, your professional qualification will be partially recognized. You can then complete one of the following compensatory measures: an adaptation course, an aptitude test, and/or practical experience.
You can apply if you live or work (or will work) in Hamburg.
Important: You may only submit your application to an official recognition body. You can apply for professional recognition by email or via the website www.Anerkennung-in-Deutschland.de. The form can be found on the HIBB website. Please note the information regarding the required documents.

Processing time

The statutory processing time is a maximum of 3 months.

Fees

There are no costs involved.

Legal remedies

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

Legal basis

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


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




Hamburg Law on the Determination of the Equivalence of Foreign Professional Qualifications (Hamburg Professional Qualifications Assessment Act - HmbBQFG)


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




Training and Examination Regulations for Vocational Schools - General Part - (APO-AT)


https://hibb.hamburg.de/beratung-recht/gesetze-verordnungen-und-richtlinien/




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


Due to the large number of professions, the individual training and examination regulations cannot be listed here.