Ausländische Berufsqualifikation als Erzieherin oder Erzieher Anerkennung

You have a foreign professional qualification as an educator? In order to be able to work in the profession in Germany, you need the recognition of your professional qualification.

The profession of educator is regulated in Germany. This means that in order to work in the profession without restrictions, you must provide proof of a specific qualification.

You can apply for recognition of your professional qualification as proof of a foreign qualification. You can also apply for the recognition procedure from abroad.

In the recognition procedure, the competent authority compares your professional qualification from abroad with the professional qualification in the selected federal state. The procedure is called: equivalence assessment.

You will receive a notification of the result of the equivalence assessment. The notification will state your professional qualifications. If you lack professional qualifications for recognition, the notification will also state the main differences.

In addition to the equivalence of professional qualifications, you must also meet other requirements in order to work as an educator:

• Personal aptitude
• Health suitability

You often only have to prove these requirements at a later date.

• Application form
• Proof of identity

  e.g. identity card or passport

• Marriage certificate (if your name has changed due to marriage)
• Proof of your professional qualification

  For example, certificates, professional certificate.

• Evidence of the content and duration of your training

  For example, Diploma Supplement, Transcript of Records.

• Perhaps: information about an already submitted application for recognition.

  Then indicate the office to which you submitted the application.

• If available: Proof that you are allowed to work as an educator in your country of training.

  The documents are required in the original language and in German or English translation.

  We do not recommend sending original documents by post.

• You have a completed professional qualification as an educator from abroad.
• You want to work as an educator in Bremen.

You can submit the application with the documents to the responsible office, send it by post or send it electronically.

The responsible office will receive the application. It will confirm that the application has been received within one month at the latest. Once the competent office has received all the documents from you, it will process your application.

The competent authority will then check: Is your professional qualification equivalent to the professional qualification in Bremen? For example, the content and duration of the training are important for the comparison. The competent authority will also take into account your professional experience, other certificates of competence and qualifications.

To work as an educator, you must also meet other requirements. These include, for example, your personal suitability, your health suitability and your German language skills. The competent authority will only check the other requirements after determining equivalence. Some requirements are only important when you are hired and will then be checked by future employers. You may have to submit additional documents for this.

If your qualification is equivalent and you meet all other requirements, you will receive state recognition. You may use the professional title of state-recognized educator. You will then have the same professional rights as a person with the German professional qualification.

Your professional qualification will be recognized.

Are there significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? Then your professional qualification will not be recognized.

In most cases, you can then take a compensatory measure. This allows you to compensate for the main differences.

There are various compensation measures:

• Adaptation course: You complete several modules at a technical college, make up any missing practical hours in a facility (e.g. daycare center) and complete a final technical interview with presentation.
• Aptitude test: The aptitude test is a practical test. Written and oral work may also be required.

You can choose between an adaptation period or an aptitude test.

If you successfully complete the compensation measure, you will receive recognition.

Working as a pedagogical specialist

You may be able to work as a so-called educational specialist without state recognition as an educator. You can then work in a childcare facility, for example. The responsible office or your employer will inform you about this possibility.

Further counseling services

There are many other advisory services. You can find them on the Recognition in Germany portal.

Ask an IQ advice center for personal advice on this procedure and your qualification. The advisors will also help you with your documents before you submit your application. The advice is free of charge.

You can also call the hotline of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. The hotline will answer your questions on the subject of "Working and living in Germany".

Telephone number: +49 30 1815-1111 Office hours: Monday to Friday 08:00 - 18:00 (CET)

If you are abroad: You can also reach the Central Service Center for Professional Recognition (ZSBA) via the hotline. This offers you in-depth advice and support in the recognition procedure and provides location advice.