Anerkennung der Gleichwertigkeit ausländischer nicht reglementierter Berufsfachschulabschlüsse und Fachschulabschlüsse beantragen

If you can prove that you have completed vocational training abroad and want to work in Thuringia, you can apply for recognition of the equivalence of professional qualifications acquired abroad.

If you would like to work in Thuringia, you can apply for a procedure to check the equivalence of your professional qualification. Recognition can be helpful for your work in Germany.

• Application form
• Tabular list of completed training and further education and employment in German language
• Proof of identity (simple copy of identity card or passport, if applicable with residence permit; proof of name change if applicable; officially registered residential address)
• Proof of education acquired in the original language and in German translation (original of the final certificates, including the respective subject and grade overviews)
• Proof of intention to work, e.g. proof of application for an entry visa for gainful employment, proof of contact with potential employers or a business concept
• Proof of relevant professional experience or other proof of qualifications
• Proof of income, if a review of the fee reduction is desired

• You must have obtained a professional qualification abroad.
• The professional qualification must be evidenced by certificates.
• The professional qualification obtained abroad must meet the equivalence requirements. This is the case if

1. the training certificate acquired abroad demonstrates the ability to perform comparable professional activities as the corresponding training certificate regulated by state law,
2. the applicant is authorized to practice a profession regulated in Thuringia as well as in the country of training in the country of training or the authorization to take up or practice the respective profession was denied for reasons that do not prevent the admission or practice in Thuringia, and
3. there are no significant differences between the proven professional qualifications and the corresponding state-regulated professional training.

In the case of significant differences, compensatory measures (adaptation course or aptitude test) serve to achieve equivalence.

• You can apply in writing for recognition of the equivalence of your professional qualification acquired abroad.
• To do so, complete the application form and send it by post to the Thuringian Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (TMBJS), Department 24, together with the documents required for the examination of the application.
• The TMBJS will first check your application for completeness of the documents and send a confirmation of receipt within 2 weeks of receipt of the application. If the documents are not complete, they will be requested in the confirmation of receipt.
• Once the documents are complete, the application will be reviewed and processed within three months.
• Once the application has been processed, you will receive a notification with the result of the examination and a certificate of recognition of the foreign school-leaving qualification. The original documents you submitted will also be returned to you with the notification.
• If a fee is payable, this will be specified in the notification and must be paid within 30 days.

There is no deadline.

You can lodge an appeal against the authority's decision with the competent administrative court (named in the decision) within one month of notification.

• Determining the equivalence of foreign professional qualifications in the area of non-regulated vocational school qualifications and technical school qualifications
• Anyone wishing to work in Thuringia can apply for a procedure to check the equivalence of their professional qualifications. Recognition can be helpful for working in Germany.
• Documents required:
  • Application
  • Tabular list of completed training and further education and employment in the German language
  • Proof of identity (simple copy of identity card or passport, if applicable with residence permit; proof of name change if applicable; officially registered residential address)
  • Proof of education acquired in the original language and in German translation (original of the final certificates, including the respective subject and grade overviews)
  • Proof of intention to work, e.g. proof of application for an entry visa for gainful employment, proof of contact with potential employers or a business concept
  • Proof of relevant professional experience or other proof of qualifications
  • Proof of income, if a review of the fee reduction is desired
• Fees will be charged.
• Responsible: Thuringian Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport - Department 24

Please contact the Thuringian Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport - Department 24.

Forms available: yes

Written form required: yes

Informal application possible: no

Personal appearance necessary: no

Online services available: no