Certification
Formal
recognition of professional qualifications based on work experience
Recognition of professional qualifications through experience: Your path to certification!
You have years of professional experience but no formal qualification? Recognition of professional experience allows you the opportunity to have your skills officially certified. Find out now about your options and start your journey towards a recognised qualification. For further questions, contact us.
The topic briefly and concisely
Professional recognition based on work experience allows you to have your skills officially recognised, which significantly enhances your career opportunities.
The BVaDiG forms the legal basis for recognition, and the IHK and Chamber of Crafts are the competent authorities. The costs range between 1,000 and 1,800 euros, but there are funding opportunities.
Meet the requirements (minimum age, professional experience) and submit the necessary documents to benefit from the advantages of professional recognition and increase your salary prospects by up to 20%.
Learn how to get your years of professional experience officially recognized – even without formal education. We will show you the requirements, procedures, and benefits!
You have years of professional experience but no formal vocational qualification? Recognition of professional experience offers you the opportunity to have your skills officially recognised. This is an important step to enhance your career opportunities and demonstrate your expertise. We will show you how to turn your practical experience into a recognised qualification.
What does recognition of professional experience mean?
Recognition of professional experience is a process where your professional skills and knowledge, gained through practical work, are formally assessed and recognised. Unlike traditional education, where theoretical knowledge and practical skills are learned in a structured training programme, recognition is based on evidence of your existing skills. This process is particularly relevant for career changers and individuals who have accumulated extensive experience over their professional life but do not hold a formal qualification.
Why is recognition of professional experience important?
Recognition of your professional experience offers numerous benefits. Firstly, it significantly enhances your career prospects. With an official confirmation of your skills, you can position yourself better in the job market and credibly convey your abilities to potential employers. Additionally, recognition can also improve your salary expectations, as you can now officially prove your qualifications. For employers, recognising professional experience also offers advantages, as they gain access to a larger pool of qualified professionals and facilitate the integration of career changers.
At Mentoc, we are happy to assist you in having your documents professionally translated and certified for the recognition process. This ensures that your documents meet formal requirements and present your skills in the best possible way. Contact us for a non-binding consultation!
BVaDiG paves the way for the validation of professional competencies
The legal foundations for professional recognition based on work experience are anchored in the Vocational Training Validation and Digitalization Act (BVaDiG). This law allows professional competencies to be validated even without formal education. It sets the framework conditions for recognizing professional experience and defines the responsible institutions and contact points.
The Vocational Training Validation and Digitalization Act (BVaDiG)
The BVaDiG is a significant milestone for the recognition of professional experience in Germany. It enables the validation of professional competencies acquired through practical work, even without formal education. Key points of the law include a minimum age of 25 years and proof of sufficient work experience. The law also promotes the digitalization of training documents and administrative processes, aimed at making procedures more efficient. Most regulations of the BVaDiG have been in force since 1 January 2025 (TK).
Relevant Institutions and Contact Points
Various institutions and contact points are responsible for professional recognition based on work experience. The IHK (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) offers assessment procedures for competency evaluation and facilitates external examinations as an alternative path to professional qualification (IHK Hamburg). The Chamber of Crafts offers validation procedures specifically for craft professions and provides advice and support in the recognition process (HWK Berlin). The Central Service Point for Professional Recognition (ZSBA) assists individuals living abroad who seek information on professional recognition in Germany (wirtschaft.nrw).
Minimum age and professional experience: Requirements for recognition
To have your professional experience recognised, you must meet certain requirements. These relate not only to your age and residence but also to the type and duration of your professional experience. Adhering to these criteria is crucial for the success of your application.
Minimum Age and Residence
An important criterion is the minimum age of 25 years. This was introduced to prevent young people from bypassing dual training and instead directly seeking recognition of their professional qualifications. Additionally, you must have your residence in Germany or have gained relevant professional experience in Germany. The location plays an important role in the process, as the responsible authorities are usually organised regionally.
Required Professional Experience
The duration of the required professional experience depends on the regular training period of the respective profession. Generally, the 1.5 times the regular training period is required. This means, for example, if the regular training period is 2 years, you must prove 3 years of professional experience. To verify your professional experience, you usually need employment references and job descriptions. It is important that you can convincingly demonstrate your professional skills, for instance, by describing projects you were involved in or tasks you independently took on.
IHK and Chamber of Crafts: This is how the recognition process works
The recognition process can vary depending on the responsible authority. However, there are two main routes: the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) determination process and the Chamber of Crafts validation process. Both procedures aim to assess your skills and determine the extent to which they are comparable to a formal professional qualification.
IHK Determination Process
The IHK determination process involves several steps. First, you submit an application to the relevant IHK. Following this, a competence assessment takes place, where your skills and knowledge are evaluated. After the assessment, you receive a certification that officially acknowledges your competencies. The IHK can issue you a certificate of full comparability, a notice of predominant comparability, or a statement of partial comparability (especially for people with disabilities) (IHK Hamburg).
Chamber of Crafts Validation Process
The Chamber of Crafts validation process is similar to the IHK process but is specifically tailored for craft professions. A key component is the determination tandem, an expert team that assesses your competencies through practical and oral tasks. For example, the Chamber of Crafts Berlin offers comprehensive advice and support throughout the recognition process (HWK Berlin).
External Examination
Another way to obtain a professional qualification is through the external examination. This option is available to individuals who can prove at least 4.5 years of work experience in the relevant field. Preparation courses, such as those offered by the Technical Academy North, can help you prepare optimally for the exam (Technische Akademie Nord). To register, you need important documents such as an application, a CV, and employment references.
CV and certificates: How to prepare your application
For your application for professional recognition, you will need various documents and evidence. These are required to verify your identity, your qualifications, and your professional experience. Careful preparation and compilation of the documents are critical for the success of your application.
Required Documents
The required documents typically include a CV in German, certified copies of identification and qualifications, as well as references as proof of your professional experience. You may also need training content (curriculum) to detail your knowledge and skills. It is important that you submit all documents completely and correctly to avoid delays in the process.
Important Information
Ensure that you submit certified copies of your original documents. You can have these made, for example, by a notary or an authority. If your documents are not in German, you will need translations by certified translators. At Mentoc, we offer you professional translations and certifications of your documents to ensure that they comply with formal requirements. Learn more about our translation services.
Full or partial recognition: Your next steps
After completing the recognition procedure, you will receive a notice containing the result of your application review. This result may be full recognition, partial recognition, or a rejection. Depending on the outcome, different subsequent steps will follow.
Full Recognition
With full recognition, you will receive a certificate or notice of equivalence for your professional qualification. This serves as official proof of your competencies and allows you to position yourself accordingly in the job market. Additionally, it opens up opportunities for further education, for example, pursuing a Bachelor's Professional degree or trainer qualifications.
Partial Recognition
If you receive partial recognition, it means your qualification does not fully match a German professional qualification. In this case, you will receive a notice with conditions that highlights deficiencies and the necessary qualification measures. To achieve full recognition, you can undertake an adaptation qualification, such as further training courses or a company-based adaptation qualification (anerkennung-in-deutschland.de).
No Recognition
If your application for professional recognition is rejected, the reasons for the rejection will be outlined in the notice. In this situation, you have the option to improve your qualifications and submit a new application. It is advisable to seek guidance beforehand to increase your application's chances of success.
1,000 to 1,800 Euros: How to Fund the Recognition Process
The recognition process usually involves costs. These can vary depending on the scope of comparability and the responsible authority. However, there are funding opportunities available to assist you with financing the process.
Fees for the Recognition Process
The fees for the recognition process can vary depending on the responsible authority and the scope of comparability. For example, at the IHK, the costs range from €1,000 to €1,800. It is advisable to inform yourself in advance about the exact costs and, if necessary, obtain a cost estimate.
Funding Opportunities
There are various funding opportunities available to assist you with financing the recognition process. The IQ Network NRW offers consultation on financial support (wirtschaft.nrw). Find out about the different programmes and determine whether you meet the requirements for funding.
Recognising skills: Professional recognition for people with disabilities
Occupational recognition based on professional experience is also open to people with disabilities. Special regulations apply to accommodate their individual needs. The aim is to acknowledge their skills and facilitate their access to the job market.
Special Regulations
For people with disabilities, there are certain special regulations in occupational recognition. For example, there is no age limit when partial comparability exists. Furthermore, the examination conditions are adjusted to meet individual needs. The Chamber of Crafts Berlin offers alternative assessment options for people with disabilities (HWK Berlin).
Aim
The aim of occupational recognition for people with disabilities is to acknowledge their skills, even if there is only partial comparability with a formal qualification. This enables them to utilise their competencies in the job market and achieve their career goals.
Recognition of professional qualifications secures skilled workers: taking advantage of future opportunities
More useful links
IHK Hamburg offers information on the assessment procedure and external examination as alternative routes to vocational qualification.
HWK Berlin provides information on validation procedures specifically for craft occupations and offers advice in the recognition process.
wirtschaft.nrw (Central Office for Professional Recognition (ZSBA)) supports individuals living abroad who want to learn about professional recognition in Germany.
anerkennung-in-deutschland.de provides information on the next steps after receiving the notice of recognition.
FAQ
What are the benefits of recognition of professional experience?
Recognition of professional experience offers improved career opportunities, higher salary prospects, and an official validation of your skills. This allows you to better position yourself in the job market.
Who can apply for the recognition of professional experience?
Individuals without formal qualifications but with extensive work experience in a specific field can apply for recognition. Typically, a minimum age of 25 and residency in Germany are required.
Which institutions are responsible for the recognition process?
The Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and the Chamber of Crafts are the main points of contact for recognition. The Central Service Point for Recognition (ZSBA) supports individuals living abroad.
Which documents are required for the application?
Generally, you need a C.V. in German, certified copies of IDs and qualifications, and job references as proof of your professional experience. Occasionally, training content (curriculum) is also required.
What happens if my qualification is only partially recognized?
If partially recognized, you will receive a notice with conditions outlining deficits and necessary qualification measures. You can then undertake an adaptation qualification to achieve full recognition.
How much does the recognition process cost?
The costs of the recognition process can range between €1,000 and €1,800, depending on the responsible authority and the extent of comparability. However, there are funding options available to assist with financing.
Are there special regulations for people with disabilities?
Yes, there are special regulations for people with disabilities, such as no age limit in cases of partial comparability and adjusted examination conditions.
What is the Vocational Education Validation and Digitization Act (BVaDiG)?
The BVaDiG is legislation that enables the validation of professional skills even without formal education. It sets the framework for recognizing professional experience and promotes the digitization of training documents.
