Bundesportal | Social Work and Social Care Professions; Applying for Recognition of a Foreign Qualification

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Publisher

Bavaria

Last update or date of publication

June 23, 2026

Certain social education and social care professions are regulated by the state in Bavaria. This means that you must have your foreign qualification recognized if you wish to work permanently in this profession in Bavaria. Other social education and social care professions are not regulated. Recognition of your qualification is not strictly required to begin working, but it may be advisable. You can apply for recognition at the Bavarian State Office for Schools.

The following professions arestate-regulated in Bavaria:

State-recognized early childhood educator (Bachelor Professional in Social Work)
State-certified special education caregiver (Bachelor Professional in Social Work)
State-recognized special education teacher (Bachelor Professional in Social Work)

To practice one of these professions permanently in Bavaria, you must apply for recognition of your foreign qualification.

In accordance with the Bavarian Professional Qualifications Assessment Act (BayBQFG), you may apply for a determination of equivalence provided that you have successfully completed vocational training abroad and are authorized to practice the profession in the country where you received your training.

In some cases, it may be possible to begin working—for example, under fixed-term or temporary contracts—even without formal recognition of your foreign qualification. In such cases, the decision to hire is made by the respective employer, the institution’s governing body, or the competent supervisory authority.

The following professions are not state-regulated in Bavaria:

State-recognized Family Caregiver (Bachelor Professional in Social Work)
State-certified Child Care Worker
State-recognized remedial care assistant
State-certified social care worker

To work in one of these professions in Bavaria, recognition of your foreign qualification is not strictly required.

It is often possible to begin working in these professions even without formal recognition of your foreign qualification. The decision to hire is generally made by the employer, the facility operator, or the relevant regulatory authority.

A recognition procedure may be helpful in making your foreign qualification more transparent and easier for the employer to assess.

Under the Bavarian Professional Qualifications Assessment Act (BayBQFG), you may apply for a determination of equivalence provided that you have successfully completed vocational training abroad.

The following documents must be submitted:
- Signed application form
- if applicable: decision on professional recognition (issued by another competent authority)
- For individuals who are not nationals of the EU/EEA/Switzerland or who reside outside these countries: Declaration of intent to work (e.g., proof of having applied for an entry visa for employment purposes, proof of contact with the employer)
- Proof of identity (ID card or passport, photo page only—serial numbers and the photo may be blacked out)
- if applicable: Proof of name change (marriage certificate)
- Resume in table format with detailed information on schooling, vocational training, continuing education, and professional experience
- Diploma from the last general education school attended (prior to entering vocational school) – with translation*
- Proof of foreign vocational qualification (diploma, exam certificate, degree, etc.)—with translation*
- Supplementary documents regarding vocational qualifications (e.g., scope and essential content of the theoretical subjects taught / scope and essential content of the practical training / overview of subjects and number of class hours at the school (class schedule))—with translation*
- if applicable: Diploma Supplement —with translation*
- if applicable: Proof of relevant professional experience in the learned profession (e.g., employment certificates, work records, letters of reference)
- if applicable: other proof of qualifications (e.g., additional qualifications obtained, continuing education/training, retraining)
*Translations:

Please submit all of the above-mentioned educational documents (including supplementary materials) in the original language as well as in German or English translation. Documents in English do not need to be translated.

Translations must be prepared by a person who is publicly appointed or sworn in as an interpreter or translator in Germany or abroad. You can find court-sworn translators in Germany here: www.justiz-dolmetscher.de.

In general, you may submit documents in electronic form (PDF files) or as simple copies. In certain cases, officially certified copies or originals are required in addition. We will notify you separately if this is necessary.

Papierantrag (ausfüllbar): Antrag auf Gleichwertigkeitsfeststellung einer ausländischen beruflichen Qualifikation nach dem Bayerischen Berufsqualifikationsfeststellungsgesetz (BayBQFG).

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Preconditions

You may submit an application for a determination of equivalence in accordance with the Bavarian Act on the Determination of Professional Qualifications (BayBQFG), provided that you

have successfully completed vocational training abroad and—in the case of regulated professions—are authorized to practice the profession in the country where you received your training, and
intend to pursue gainful employment in Bavaria

An application may be submitted regardless of nationality or immigration status.

In addition, sufficient German language skills are required to practice the profession.

Hints

Application under the Federal Displaced Persons Act (BVFG)

Late repatriates may alternatively submit an application for a determination of equivalence under the Federal Displaced Persons Act (BVFG). Under this free procedure—unlike the procedure under the Bavarian Professional Qualifications Recognition Act (BayBQFG)—professional experience cannot be taken into account.

Eligible individuals under the BVFG may choose whether to submit an application under the BayBQFG or the BVFG. A procedure under the BVFG can only be initiated if late repatriate status is proven by a late repatriate certificate (certificate pursuant to Section 15 BVFG).

Further information is available on the website of the Federal Office of Administration (BVA): https://www.bva.bund.de/DE/Services/Buerger/Migration-Integration/Spaetaussiedler/03_Registrierung_bis_Bescheinigung/03_4_Bescheinigungsverfahren/03_4_Bescheinigungsverfahren_node.html

If you wish to submit an application in accordance with the BVFG, please contact us using the contact information provided and send us your proof of status as a late repatriate as well as details regarding your foreign qualification (name of the qualification and country of origin). We will then let you know what additional documents we require from you.

The recognition procedure under the Bavarian Act on the Assessment of Professional Qualifications (BayBQFG) is subject to a fee.

The Bavarian State Office for Schools charges a fee of between 200.00 and 600.00 EUR, plus out-of-pocket expenses, for conducting the recognition process, depending on the amount of work involved.

If significant differences need to be addressed (see procedure), additional fees ranging from 50.00 to 100.00 EUR, plus out-of-pocket expenses, will be charged for the issuance of a final decision.

Costs for the adaptation course/aptitude test: The amount depends on the nature of the significant differences and can therefore vary considerably. These costs are billed separately by the organizations conducting the program.

You must cover any additional costs, such as those for translations and certifications, yourself.

Unemployed applicants and job seekers should check with their respective local employment agencies or job centers before submitting their application to determine whether the employment agency may cover these costs.

Under certain conditions, you can apply for a subsidy to cover these costs. For more information on financial assistance options, visit: https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/de/pro/finanzielle-foerderung.php

Basis for legal action

Bayerisches Gesetz über die Feststellung der Gleichwertigkeit ausländischer Berufsqualifikationen (Bayerisches Berufsqualifikationsfeststellungsgesetz - BayBQFG)

Gesetz über die Angelegenheiten der Vertriebenen und Flüchtlinge (Bundesvertriebenengesetz - BVFG)

Legal Remedies

You may file an appeal (administrative court action) against the decision of the competent authority. This allows you to challenge the decision in court so that it can be reviewed. Details can be found in the information on legal remedies at the end of your notice. However, it is recommended that you clarify any disputed issues with the competent authority before filing an appeal.

Procedure

You can submit your application for recognition of your foreign qualification in writing or electronically via the secure communication platform to the Certificate Recognition Office of the Bavarian State Office for Schools.

First, an assessment will be conducted to determine whether your foreign qualification can be matched to the reference occupation you specified. If necessary, the State Office for Schools will inform you which other agency is responsible for your case. In this case, you may withdraw your application free of charge.

As part of the equivalency assessment of your foreign qualification, the State Office for Schools will examine, in particular, whether you are authorized to practice the profession in the country where you received your training and whether there are significant differences between the foreign qualification and the corresponding Bavarian vocational training program.

Evidence of relevant professional experience (from abroad or from Germany) as well as other proof of competence (e.g., additional qualifications or continuing education and training) will also be taken into account.

For professions regulated by the state in the Free State of Bavaria (see description), the following applies:

If there are significant differences but the qualification content is comparable, these differences can be addressed through a compensatory measure. In this case, you may choose between an adaptation course and an aptitude test.
If no significant differences are identified or if the compensatory measure has been fully completed, your foreign qualification may be deemed fully equivalent.

For professions not regulated by the state in the Free State of Bavaria (see description), the following applies:

If no significant differences are identified, your foreign qualification may be deemed fully equivalent.
If significant differences exist but the qualification content is comparable, the decision will describe the existing qualifications as well as the differences from the Bavarian qualification.

Deadlines

none

Processing time

The State Office of Education will confirm receipt of your application within one month and, if necessary, inform you of any additional documents that may be required. Once all required documents have been submitted, a decision will be made within three months. In justified cases, this deadline may be extended appropriately.