Ausländische Berufsqualifikation Anerkennung als Erzieherin/Erzieher

Do you have a foreign professional qualification as an educator? In order to work in this profession in Germany, you need to have your professional qualification recognized.

If you want to work as an educator in Germany, you must apply for equivalence of your training with the German training "Staatlich anerkannte Erzieherin/Staatlich anerkannter Erzieher".

1. Completed application form (not required for online applications)
2. Hand-signed tabular presentation of your educational and professional background (curriculum vitae) in German,
3. Copy of the school-leaving certificate in German
4. Copies of training certificates in the original language and as a German translation:
   1. Final documents (e.g. diploma), including attachments if applicable, in the original language and as a German translation
   2. Proof of training content (subject table, explanations and curricular requirements, if applicable, etc.) in the original language and as a German translation
   3. Certificate from the competent authority that you are directly authorized to practice the profession in the country of training in the original language and as a German translation.
5. Copies of evidence of relevant professional experience in Germany or abroad in the form of job references/work books in the original language and as a German translation. The evidence should provide information about the activities and the scope of activities.
6. Proof of identity (identity card, passport or residence permit)

Translations in German are also required for documents in languages other than German. The translations must be prepared or at least certified by a translator publicly appointed/sworn in Germany.

English-language certificates do not need to be translated.

The Regional State Office for Schools and Education reserves the right to request officially certified copies of the above-mentioned documents.

The following requirements must be met for the professional qualification obtained abroad to be recognized:

• the professional qualification obtained entitles the holder to exercise professional activities comparable to those of an educator in the country in which it was obtained, and

• there are no significant differences between the professional qualification obtained in the country of origin and the corresponding vocational training in Lower Saxony.

For recognition purposes, the Regional State Office for Schools and Education Lüneburg will check on the basis of your certificates whether and to what extent your foreign qualification corresponds to a German qualification for the profession of educator. This check is based on defined formal criteria, such as the content, subject focus and duration of the training. Your relevant professional experience is also taken into account, as are other relevant qualifications. The decision on the application is made in writing.

If there are significant differences, a compensation measure (adaptation period or aptitude test) is required before the professional qualification acquired abroad can be recognized. The scope of the compensation measure is determined by the Regional State Office for Schools and Education Lüneburg in a notification.

Further information can be found on the portalrecognition-in-germany.de

This internet portal provides quick and easy answers to questions about recognition, for example

• Do I have to have my professional qualification recognized?

• Is recognition worthwhile for me?

• Can I submit the application? Do I have a formal right to it?

• Which authority do I need to contact?

• What does the procedure look like?

• What documents are required? What form must the documents take?

• How long does the procedure take?

• What does the procedure cost?

• Which laws are relevant to my case?

The processing time is generally up to 3 months, provided that the application documents are complete. An extension may be necessary in individual cases.

The deadline for submitting the application begins when the responsible office confirms that the required documents are complete.

Applicants do not have to observe any deadlines.

Recognition procedures for the reference qualification as a "state-recognized childhood educator" can be applied for at the relevant universities:

In the event of a rejection of the recognition applied for, administrative legal action may be taken.

The rejection will be accompanied by specific information on legal remedies, indicating the deadline for taking legal action and the competent administrative court.

Foreign professional qualification Recognition as an educator

Even with a qualification obtained abroad, you can apply for the right to use the professional title "State-recognized educator" in Germany.

The Regional State Office for Schools and Education in Lüneburg is responsible for this.

Responsibility lies with the Regional State Office for Schools and Education Lüneburg.