Apply for exemption from registration in the register of craftsmen

You must submit your application for an exemption permit and for entry in the Register of Craftsmen electronically via the online procedure or in writing to your local Chamber of Crafts. Online applications are also available via administrative portals. The following procedural steps are involved:

1. Application

• Go to the website of your local Chamber of Skilled Crafts and download the application forms for an exemption permit and for entry in the Register of Skilled Crafts. You are also welcome to contact your Chamber of Skilled Crafts directly and have the necessary documents sent to you.
• Complete the forms in full and send them together with the required documents to your local Chamber of Skilled Crafts.

Alternatively, you can apply online via administrative portals.

1. Carrying out the administrative procedure for granting an exemption permit

• The procedure for granting an exemption permit checks whether the following criteria are met:
• Existence of an exceptional reason (reason why taking a master craftsman examination appears to be an undue hardship, such as family reasons, advanced age or a special opportunity to take over a business)
• Proof of the necessary knowledge and skills (the scope of the proof depends on the previous qualification and on whether the exemption permit is applied for the entire craft or only for a sub-area).

1. Decision on application

If the legal requirements are met, you will be granted an exemption. On this basis, you can then be entered in the Register of Craftsmen. The exemption permit can be issued for an unlimited or limited period of time. A time limit applies in particular if the permit is issued with the requirement to take the master craftsman's examination within a certain period of time.

1. Entry in the Register of Craftsmen

On the basis of a granted exemption permit, entry in the register of craftsmen can be made. Together with the notification of registration, the company receives the so-called craftsman's card (§ 10 Para. 2 HwO).

More information

A granted exemption permit for registration in the register of skilled crafts does not entitle you to use the title of master craftsman.

• Application for the granting of an exemption for the entry in the register of craftsmen
• Evidence for the exception reason
• Evidence of knowledge and skills relevant to the trade

• handwerk:digital
  handwerk:digital offers you the possibility to submit your applications to the responsible Chamber of Crafts online. The login is done with the OSI account, which is available to citizens and companies alike.

The specific fee results from the fee schedule of the Chamber of Crafts, which is available on the Chamber's website.

What deadlines must be paid attention to?

You can only practice a craft requiring a license if you are entered in the register of craftsmen. An exemption permit must therefore be applied for in good time.

• § 8 Handwerksordnung (HwO)

• Kontaktdaten der Handwerkskammern
• Liste aller zulassungspflichtigen Handwerksberufe
• Gebührenordnung der Handwerkskammer
• Datenschutzinformation zur Leistung