Applying for recognition of a foreign professional qualification for training or further training in the field of agriculture

You can have a training qualification or further education qualification from abroad officially recognized in Germany. The procedure for recognition is called: equivalence assessment.
Please note: Your qualification must be recognized by the state in the country in which you trained. Informal or non-formal qualifications cannot be officially recognized in Germany.

There are over 30 different training qualifications and advanced training qualifications in the field of agriculture in Germany.
You apply for recognition from the competent authority in the federal state in which you wish to work. In the agricultural sector, the chambers of agriculture are normally responsible.

To apply for an equivalence assessment, you must identify a German training qualification or further training qualification. This is the so-called reference occupation. It must match your foreign professional qualification. You should therefore seek advice before submitting your application. When assessing equivalence, the competent authority will compare your qualification with a specific German qualification. Important criteria for the comparison are the content and duration of the training.

You will receive a decision on the outcome of the procedure. The decision will state any existing and any missing professional qualifications. The decision enables employers to better assess your professional qualifications.

You can also apply for equivalence assessment from abroad.

Requirements

• You have a state-recognized professional qualification from abroad.
• Your qualification must match a German training qualification or further training qualification in the field of agriculture.
• You want to work in Germany.

What documents do I need?

• Application form from the competent authority
• Proof of identity (identity card or passport)
• Marriage certificate
  
  • if your name has changed due to marriage
• Curriculum vitae
• Proof of your professional qualification
  
  • for example certificates, professional certificate
• Training certificates
• Proof of your relevant professional experience
• Proof of other relevant knowledge
• Have you ever applied for recognition?
  
  • Then indicate the office to which you have submitted the application.
• Maybe:
  
  • Are you from a third country and do not yet live or work in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland? Then you must provide proof: You want to work in the profession in Germany. Proof includes, for example, applications for a job, invitations to job interviews, personal declaration
• If your documents are not in German, you must submit German translations of your documents.
  
  • Translations must be carried out by translators who are publicly appointed or authorized.