Behördlicher Sachkundenachweis zum Betäuben oder Töten von Wirbeltieren erhalten

Killing and related activities may only be carried out by persons who have the necessary knowledge and skills (expertise).

If you handle vertebrate animals in connection with a business activity (e.g. as operator or employee of a slaughterhouse or on behalf of a company), you must be in possession of an official certificate of competence for handling vertebrate animals in the context of slaughtering, in particular looking after, caring for, immobilizing, stunning, slaughtering or killing. You can apply for this certificate at the competent authority.

The official certificate of competence specifies the activities for which it is valid, the animal species and the type of equipment.

Identity card

Depending on how you prove the required expertise:
- Proof of having successfully passed the examination (original examination certificate)
- Proof (copy) of an equivalent qualification

For the issuance of the ID card:
- a recent photograph (passport photo)
- Declaration that you have not committed any violations of animal protection law in the last three years (ask/request form from the competent authority).

Ask the competent authority which documents you have to submit in the specific case. Further information on the required documents can be found on the application form.

The certificate of competence is issued by the competent body if you have demonstrated the necessary expertise in the context of a successful examination or a qualification recognized as equivalent. Only training courses and examinations from organizations that have been officially commissioned to do so can be recognized.

You must not have committed any violations of animal protection law in the last 3 years.

A fee of 25 EUR is charged for the issuance of the certificate of competence.

The application is made in writing, either by means of a form provided by the authority or an informal application.
- Then fill out the form completely or formulate your application for the official certificate of competence and attach the required supporting documents.
- Submit the application documents to your competent authority.
- The competent authority will examine your application and issue an official certificate of competence for the animal categories and stunning and killing procedures for which you have been able to prove your competence.
- Finally, you will receive by mail your official certificate of competence or, if applicable, information about the rejection of your application.

Notify changes
If there are any changes to your information, notify your competent authority of these changes.

A decision on the application for a certificate of competence is made within 20 working days. The period begins with the receipt of the complete documents. It may be reasonably extended once if justified by the difficulty of the matter.

The official certificate of competence is valid indefinitely.

Various training institutes are commissioned by the state authorities to conduct courses in the killing of vertebrate animals. Find out about this directly from the respective provider or from the responsible veterinary and food control office.

In the case of not insignificant violations of the legal requirements, the withdrawal of the certificate of competence must be expected.

In connection with the killing and stunning of vertebrates and other animals, requirements are also placed on the expertise or knowledge and skills of the person in the case of non-entrepreneurial activities. Please ask your responsible veterinary and food monitoring office which requirements you have to fulfill within the scope of the intended activity.

You can appeal against the decision on your application or against a decision that was not made in due time in accordance with the Administrative Court Code (objection, if necessary action before the Administrative Court).

• Certificate of competence for killing vertebrate animals Certificate
• Anyone who cares for, restrains, stuns, slaughters or kills animals must have the knowledge and skills (expertise) necessary to do so.
• Requirements:
  • The certificate of expertise is issued by the competent body if the necessary expertise has been demonstrated in the course of a successful examination or a qualification recognized as equivalent. Only training courses and examinations conducted by organizations that have been officially commissioned to do so can be recognized.
  • You must not have committed any violations of animal protection law in the last 3 years.
• The official certificate of competence is valid for an unlimited period of time.
• A fee of 25 EUR is charged for the issuance of the certificate. However, it can be withdrawn if conditions of the ordinance have been violated and facts indicate that this will continue to be the case in the future.
• Responsible: the veterinary and food control office of the county or city in which the activity is to take place.

Contact the competent veterinary and food control office of the county or city in which the activity is to take place. There you will also find out which organizations are officially commissioned to carry out training and examinations to obtain the expertise.

The request can be made informally.