Chambers as contact points for training and advanced training professions
Various authorities in Germany are responsible for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications. As a general rule, the institution that is responsible for training and qualifying individuals to practise a certain profession in Germany is also responsible for assessing and recognising foreign qualifications in that field.
Tip: use the recognition finder at the portal "Recognition in Germany" to find the competent body in question. There you can find the right contact person for all vocational qualifications, which are in the federal responsibility.
In the following you will find all other contact points divided according to the area to which the professional qualification can be assigned.
Contact points for professional qualifications in the industry and trade sector
© IHK FOSA
IHK FOSA (Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foreign Skills Approval): national competence center of the German chambers of industry and commerce for recognition of foreign vocational qualifications. Responsible for applicants who do not live or work in the Braunschweig, Hanover or Wuppertal regions.
© IHK Wuppertal-Solingen-Remscheid
IHK Wuppertal: Responsible for applicants who live or work in the Wuppertal region.
© IHK Hannover
IHK Hannover: Responsible for applicants who live or work in the regions of Hannover and Braunschweig.
Contact points for professional qualifications in the craft sector
© Zentralverband des deutschen Handwerks
Chambers of Skilled Crafts: In the crafts sector, the regional chambers carry out recognition procedures. A comprehensive list of competent chambers is available on the website of the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts.
Contact points for liberal professions
For professional qualifications in the field of the so-called liberal professions (e.g. pharmaceutical technicians, dental technicians, medical physicists)
© Bundesverband der Freien Berufe
Chambers and associations of the liberal professions: A list of chambers and associations of liberal professions is available on the website of the federal association of liberal professions, in German.
Contact points for professional qualifications in the field of agriculture
© Verband der Landwirtschaftskammern
Chambers of Agriculture: A comprehensive list of competent chambers of agriculture is available on the website of the German Confederation of the Chambers of Agriculture, in German.
Contact points for professional qualifications in maritime shipping or sea transport
© Berufsbildungsstelle Seeschifffahrt e.V.
You can find out more at the Maritime Vocational Training Center.
Further contact points for applicants and companies
IQ network: the local offices of the “Integration through Qualification” (IQ) network will provide you with information on the recognition process for foreign professional qualifications and establish which authority is responsible for the assessment. If required, they will also help international qualified professionals with their application.
Online recognition portal: You can use the recognition finder on the “Recognition in Germany” portal to determine the relevant competent body and contact them for advice. The portal also provides an overview of numerous offers of advice in Germany and abroad. The website is published by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Education and Research.
For a complete overview of contact points relating to professional recognition, please visit our section "Foreign skilled workers".
