Beantragung einer Ausnahmebewilligung zur Eintragung in die Handwerksrolle

Would you like to be entered in the Register of Craftsmen as the owner or manager of a business, but the master craftsman's examination is an unreasonable burden? Then you may be able to apply for an exemption.

You must be entered in the Register of Craftsmen if you want to operate a craft requiring a license on your own or if you want to work as a company manager.

This also applies if

• you want to carry out a significant part of a craft requiring a license independently
• you want to carry out several trades requiring a license independently. In this case, you need to be entered in the register of craftsmen for each craft requiring a license

As a rule, you must provide proof of a master craftsman's examination or equivalent relevant qualification for entry in the register of craftsmen. If taking the master craftsman's examination is an unreasonable burden for you and you have the necessary knowledge and skills, you can apply for an exemption permit for entry in the register of craftsmen.

Reasons for exemption may include

• advanced age
• illness
• long waiting times for master craftsman examinations

Each reason for exemption is examined on a case-by-case basis. The exemption permit can be issued with conditions and ancillary provisions. For example, a temporary exemption may be granted if taking the master craftsman examination is only temporarily unreasonable.

• Application for an exemption permit
• Proof of the reason for the exemption
• Proof of the necessary knowledge and skills relevant to the trade

The master craftsman examination must represent an unreasonable burden for you. You must have the necessary knowledge and skills to practice the trade.

The specific fee can be found in the Chamber of Crafts' schedule of fees, which is available on the Chamber's website.

You must submit your application for an exemption permit electronically via the online procedure or in writing to your local Chamber of Skilled Crafts. Online applications are also available via administrative portals. The following procedural steps are involved:

1. Application

• Go to the website of your local Chamber of Skilled Crafts and download the application forms for an exemption permit. You are also welcome to contact your Chamber of Skilled Crafts directly and have the required documents sent to you
• Complete the forms in full and send them to your local Chamber of Skilled Crafts together with the required documents
• Alternatively, you can apply online via administrative portals

1. Carrying out the administrative procedure for granting an exemption permit

The procedure for granting an exemption permit checks whether the following criteria are met:

• Existence of a reason for exemption
• Proof of the necessary knowledge and skills (the scope of the proof depends on the previous qualification and on whether the exemption permit is applied for the entire craft or only for a sub-area).

1. Decision on application

If the legal requirements are met, you will be granted an exemption permit. The exemption permit can be issued for an unlimited or limited period of time.

1. Trade register entry

On the basis of a granted exemption permit, you can be entered in the trade register. Together with the notification of registration, the company receives the so-called craftsman's card (§ 10 Para. 2 HwO).

• Entry in the register of craftsmen with an exemption permit
• Without a corresponding qualification (e.g. master craftsman's examination etc.) in the craft requiring a license, an entry in the register of craftsmen can be made on the basis of an exemption permit if taking the master craftsman's examination represents an unreasonable burden (reason for exemption), which may be the case, for example, with
  • advanced age
  • illness
  • long waiting times for master craftsman examinations
• Proof of the necessary knowledge and skills ("similar to a master craftsman")
• The exemption permit can be issued with conditions and ancillary provisions, e.g. with a time limit or restriction
• The application for an exemption permit and further information can be obtained from the local Chamber of Skilled Crafts in whose district the commercial establishment is located