Hamburg Institute for Vocational Education and Training (HIBB)

Apply for recognition as a social education assistant with professional qualifications from abroad

Prerequisites

They live and work in Hamburg.

You have obtained your professional qualification as a social education assistant abroad.

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 (not applicable 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.

Please note

Deadlines

no

Procedure

- You submit your application to the relevant authority.

- The responsible authority will review your application and may request missing documents or information from you.

- The responsible authority compares whether your professional qualification is equivalent to the German professional qualification.

- If the competent authority identifies significant differences, you may be able to compensate for these by providing evidence of your professional experience, other knowledge, skills or competences.

- If you cannot compensate for the significant differences, you can take a compensatory measure (for example, an adaptation course or a knowledge test).

- You can also waive an equivalence assessment and implement a compensatory measure directly.

If your professional qualification is equivalent or you have been able to compensate for the substantial differences, and you meet the other requirements, your foreign professional qualification will be recognized. The responsible authority can confirm the result to you in writing.

- You will receive permission to use the professional title.

Processing time

The statutory processing time 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 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/




https://www.landesrecht-hamburg.de/bsha/document/jlr-SPABerFSchulAPOHA2007rahmen