Apply for state recognition as an elementary school teacher from abroad

The profession of early childhood educator is regulated in Germany. This means that you must have a specific qualification in order to work in the profession. If you have a foreign professional qualification as an elementary pedagogue or childhood educator, you can work in this profession in your chosen federal state under certain conditions.

profession in the chosen federal state. To do this, you must submit an application with all the necessary documents to the Senatorial Authority for Children and Education - Department 31.

In the recognition procedure, the office compares your professional qualification from abroad with the professional qualification in the selected federal state and issues an equivalence assessment. You will receive feedback after your application has been reviewed. If your professional qualification is equivalent and you meet the other requirements, you will receive state recognition. You may then use the professional title "state-recognized elementary teacher" or "state-recognized elementary teacher".

If you do not have the professional qualifications required for recognition, the essential differences will be listed in the notification. You can then take a compensatory measure.

Please note that in the federal state of Bremen, equivalence is only possible with the qualification "state-recognized elementary teacher" or "state-recognized elementary teacher".

Requirements

• Equivalence of your professional qualification
• You must be authorized to practice the profession in the country in which you trained.

You must also meet the other requirements for state recognition. These are usually

• Personal suitability: you are reliable to work as a childhood educator and have no criminal record.
• Health suitability: You are mentally and physically able to work in the profession.
• You have German language skills at the required language level C1.

What documents do I need?

• Documents required for recognition as an elementary teacher
  
  • Application form
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Proof of identity (identity card or passport)
  • Proof of your professional qualification
  • Proof of training
  • Proof of professional experience as an elementary school teacher
  • Proof of other qualifications
  • Certificate that the profession may be practiced in the country of training
  • Information on applications for recognition that have already been submitted. Then state the body to which you have submitted the application.

  You usually submit these documents later. The competent authority will inform you when you should submit the documents:
  

  • Proof of your personal suitability: for example, criminal record extract or certificate of good conduct
  • Proof of your German language skills: Language certificate C1

  If your documents are not in German, you must submit German translations of your documents. The translations must be made by translators who are publicly appointed or authorized.