Recognition counselling
Have you completed vocational training abroad? Recognising your training can give you the opportunity to work in Schleswig-Holstein. We support you with recognition and qualification counselling in the application process for recognition and in drawing up a qualification plan.
Your path to professional recognition in Schleswig-Holstein
Advantages of recognition
Recognised qualifications increase your chances on the job market because they make it easier to find a suitable job. They can also lead to a higher salary. They also enable you to practise certain professions, for example as a doctor, teacher or carer. Recognised qualifications also make it easier to enter courses or degree programmes and provide official confirmation of your training.
The recognition procedure usually includes an assessment of the equivalence of your foreign professional qualification compared to a German reference profession. You must submit certain documents that document the duration and content of your training, your professional experience and other knowledge and skills.
Here's what you should know about the professional recognition process
Non-regulated professions: If you already have a residence permit or come from the EU/EEA/Switzerland, recognition of your qualification to practice a non-regulated profession is not mandatory. Nevertheless, it is recommended to carry out a recognition procedure in these cases as well, as this can increase your chances on the labour market and offer you better salary opportunities.
Regulated professions: Recognition of your qualification is required to practise a regulated profession. Regulated professions are those in which the activities are legally protected and additional requirements for professional authorisation apply. This mainly concerns professions in the health, safety or social sector, such as doctors or teachers, but also professional titles such as engineers, specialists and master craftsmen.
Possible outcomes of the recognition procedure include full recognition of your professional qualification, partial recognition with indications of differences to the German reference profession, or in some cases, no recognition if significant differences exist and cannot be compensated.The duration of the recognition procedure is usually 3 to 4 months and fees of up to 600 euros may be incurred. We can also advise you on possible funding options for these costs. For more information on the recognition procedure and the required documents, please visit the official website for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications.
We support people with foreign professional or academic qualifications from the following districts and towns:
- Dithmarschen
- Rendsburg-Eckernförde
- Southern Ostholstein
- Neumünster
- Steinburg
- Segeberg
- Lübeck
- Pinneberg
- Stormarn
- Herzogtum Lauenburg
Our services include preparation for the recognition procedure, help with the application and support with the necessary qualification measures:
The recognition centres Zentrale Bildungs- und Beratungsstelle für Migrant:innen e.V. (ZBBS) and Frauennetzwerk zur Arbeitssituation e. V. are responsible for other regions.