You can hand in the application with the documents to the relevant office or send it by mail. Do not send originals. Sometimes you can send the application electronically. The competent body will inform you.
The competent body receives the application. It will confirm to you after one month at the latest that the application has arrived. When the competent body has received all the documents from you, it will process your application.
The competent body then checks: Is your professional qualification equivalent to the professional qualification in your federal state? The content of the training and the duration of the training, for example, are important for the comparison. The competent body also takes into account your professional experience, further certificates of competence and qualifications.
During the equivalency test, the competent body often also checks:
- Have you completed a course of study at a university? Or have you completed training at the same level?
- In your studies, did you primarily take exams in the subjects of mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology (STEM subjects)?
- Did your studies last at least 3 years?
- Are you allowed to work as an engineer in your country of education?
You may have to submit additional documents for this. The competent office will inform you.
The competent office will then check other requirements for the use of the professional title. These include, for example, your place of residence or your intention to work in the chosen state.
If your qualification is equivalent and you meet all other requirements, your professional qualification will be recognized. You are allowed to use the professional title "Ingenieurin" or "Ingenieur". You will receive a certificate to this effect. Then you have the same professional rights as a person with the German professional qualification.
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 make a compensatory measure. This allows you to compensate for the essential differences.
There are different compensatory measures:
- Adaptation course: you work as an engineer. In this, a qualified person supervises them. You may have to do additional training.
- Aptitude test: In the aptitude test, only the areas in which significant differences have been identified are tested.
Often you can choose between an adjustment course or a proficiency test. If you successfully complete the compensatory measure, you will receive recognition. You will be allowed to use the professional title "Ingenieurin" or "Ingenieur".
In some federal states, you may not be able to take a compensatory measure with a qualification from a third country. In that case, you can take an educational measure. For example, you can take courses or do continuing education. You have to organize the participation in the courses yourself. After that, you can submit a new application. The responsible office will inform you about your options.
