Architektenkammer - Recht zur Führung der Berufsbezeichnung „Architektin“ / „Architekt“ (Hochbau); ausländische Qualifikation, Niederlassung

If you wish to settle permanently in Thuringia and use the professional title "architect", you must be entered in the list of architects. You must apply for registration.

The professional title "architect" is regulated in Thuringia. This means that the use of this professional title is bound by legal regulations (Thuringian Chamber of Architects and Engineers Act - ThürAIKG -) to the possession of certain professional qualifications.

If you wish to settle permanently in Thuringia and use the professional title of "architect", you must be entered in the corresponding list of architects at the Thuringian Chamber of Architects. You must apply for registration.

Registration in the list of architects and thus the authorization to use the professional title "architect" is helpful for the exercise of a professional activity, but is not a mandatory requirement. This means that you can also apply for a job on the job market and work as an architect (e.g. as an employee in an architect's office) without being entered in the relevant list of architects. However, you may not then use the legally protected professional title of "architect" and are not authorized to submit building plans.

As a rule, you will need the following documents in particular:

• Proof of main residence, professional establishment or place of predominant professional activity in Thuringia
• Proof of identity
• Proof of citizenship
• Proof of training acquired abroad
• Proof of relevant professional experience
• Further documents, if applicable

As a rule, copies of all documents and certificates must be submitted. All documents and certificates must be translated into German by a publicly appointed or sworn interpreter or translator.

At least EUR 150 up to a maximum of EUR 400

The prerequisite for entry in the list of architects is generally a university degree in architecture. In addition, further registration requirements may have to be met, such as the exercise of at least two years of full-time practical work in the main professional tasks in the field of architecture (professional internship) and - in the case of self-employed work - the conclusion of professional liability insurance.

The assessment (equivalence / significant differences) of a foreign professional qualification in relation to a German reference qualification can only be considered as part of a registration procedure; the ThürAIKG does not provide for an independent recognition procedure with a final decision on the merits.

Qualifications from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland

For EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and persons treated as such (e.g. family members, spouses of EU citizens, third-country nationals with long-term residence status), the principle of automatic recognition of specific statutory training certificates applies to professions whose minimum requirements are harmonized at EU level (structural architects). Automatic recognition means that the qualification is not individually checked for (content-related) equivalence with the corresponding German qualification (reference qualification).

If the requirements for automatic recognition are not met, an individual assessment is possible. Accordingly, for EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and persons treated as such (see above), proof of training that is required in an EU/EEA state/Switzerland (regulated profession) is sufficient to obtain permission to use the professional title "architect" in that state; if the profession is not regulated in the country of origin, the guarantee of knowledge provided by the regulation is replaced by proof of one year's professional experience or by any regulated training provided. If the foreign professional qualification differs significantly from the registration requirements applicable to graduates in architecture (building construction) from a German university, the Chamber of Architects will impose compensatory measures (aptitude test, adaptation course).

In the case of (non-equivalent) third-country nationals, recognition of their training certificates requires that their equivalence with the corresponding German qualification (reference qualification) is established beforehand. If there are significant differences, the Chamber of Architects will impose compensatory measures (aptitude test, adaptation course).

Qualifications from third countries

The prerequisite for the recognition of training certificates issued in third countries is that their equivalence with the corresponding German qualification (reference qualification) is established beforehand. If there are significant differences, the Chamber of Architects will impose compensatory measures (aptitude test, adaptation course).

Registration procedures can also be processed via the technical systems of the single point of contact:

The Chamber of Architects shall decide on the application for entry in the list of architects within three months of receipt of the complete documentation. In individual cases, the deadline may be extended once by up to one month if this is justified due to the special nature of the matter.

No deadlines need to be observed.

The recognition and qualification advice centers of the "Integration through Qualification" network (IQ network) will be happy to advise and support you before, during and after the recognition procedure.

No review in preliminary proceedings (opposition proceedings) is required before an administrative court action is brought against a decision of the registration committee at the Chamber of Architects.

• Right to use the professional title "architect" (building construction); foreign qualifications, establishment
• The use of the professional title "architect" is linked to the possession of certain professional qualifications.
• Anyone wishing to use the professional title must apply for registration with the Chamber of Architects.
• A written application must be submitted together with the required documents.
• Application also possible online.
• Fees apply.
• Responsible: Thuringia Chamber of Architects

Please contact the Thuringia Chamber of Architects.

The Thuringian application system for administrative services (ThAVEL) provides you with the necessary application document on a virtual desk.

You can also submit your informal application in writing to the competent authority.