The Professional Recognition Department of the Hamburg Institute for Vocational Education and Training (HIBB) is responsible for the recognition of professional qualifications from other countries.
This is how the recognition of professional qualifications works at HIBB:
The authority will examine your application on the basis of the Professional Qualifications Assessment Act of the Federal State of Hamburg (HmbBQFG). Anyone who lives or works in Hamburg or intends to do so can submit an application. The application for recognition can also be submitted from abroad. In the recognition procedure, the Professional Recognition Department compares the professional qualification obtained abroad with the professional qualification in Hamburg. This procedure is called equivalence assessment.
The application:
You can apply for professional recognition in writing or online, i.e. you can send your application either by post or by e-mail. The application form can be found in the Downloads section.
Please send us the completed application form. Please include copies of all required documents with your application. We will confirm receipt of your application by e-mail.
The process:
Once we have received all your documents, your application will be examined. It will be assessed whether your professional qualification is equivalent to the German professional qualification for which you are applying. For example, the content and duration of the training are important in this comparison. Your work experience, further training and other qualifications will also be taken into account.
If the result is positive, you will be invited to a personal appointment to present your original documents. No personal appointment is required if you have submitted certified copies of your documents.
The result:
You will receive a notice with the decision on your application and further information. If your qualification is equivalent, you will be officially recognised in your chosen profession. You will then be officially entitled to use the professional title. This gives you the same professional rights as a person with the German professional qualification. Your professional qualification is recognised.
Are there significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification that can, however, be compensated for? In this case, your professional qualification will be partially recognised. You can then complete a compensation measure. This will enable you to compensate for the differences identified.
There are different compensation measures:
- Adaptation period: You are in employment and, in parallel, take a course or training.
- Aptitude test: You take an exam to prove your competences.
- Additional practical experience: You gain practical experience to compensate for the identified deficits.
You can choose between an adaptation period or an aptitude test. If you successfully complete the compensation measures, you will receive full recognition.