Registration in the Register of Craftsmen - Exemption according to § 8 of the Crafts Code (HwO)

An exemption permit for entry in the register of craftsmen in accordance with § 8 HwO can be granted if there is a reason for exception and your master-like knowledge and skills in the requested craft as well as in the commercial and legal area are proven.
With an exemption permit, you meet the requirements for entry in the register of craftsmen for a craft subject to licensing. However, an exemption does not entitle you to use the master craftsman title and to train in the relevant trade.

An exemption may be limited to a partial activity of a craft.

Tip: The crafts subject to approval are listed in Annex A to the Crafts Code.

To the Chamber of Crafts in whose district your future business premises are located.

You can also complete the procedure electronically via the Point of Single Contact.

A separate platform has been developed for online applications. On the so-called service platform you can submit your applications electronically and much more! You are welcome to get your own impression of the application in advance without registering beforehand. To do this, use the simulation. In order to make full use of the online application, you must first register with the online application process.
 

Online application procedure of the Point of Single Contact Hesse

Reason for exception

An exceptional reason for an unlimited exemption exists if you cannot exceptionally be expected to take the master craftsman's examination for taking up self-employment in the applied trade. Examples include:

• advanced age (47 years)
• Serious illness or disability
• Existence of other tests
• Long waiting times for master craftsman examinations

Your overall situation will be taken into account. Lack of time or money and professional overstrain are usually no exception.
An exception for a temporary exemption may exist, for example, in the case of:

• prolonged unemployment
• Opportunity to take over a business

In the case of a temporary exemption, the master craftsman's examination must be completed within a period of usually no more than 2 years. The time limit depends on the respective circumstances. A binding commitment to take the master craftsman's examination and admission to the master craftsman's examination must be proven.

Certificate of competence

The granting of an unlimited as well as a temporary exemption requires proof of master-like knowledge and skills in the (partial) craft concerned as well as sufficient commercial and legal knowledge. Submitted training and employment references and other evidence may be considered.

If sufficient proof of qualification is not possible in this way, you can prove the required knowledge and skills in a competence test. The examiner is commissioned by the competent Chamber of Crafts. The costs of the competence test are to be borne by you.

You must submit the application for an exemption to the competent Chamber of Crafts together with all documents justifying the application.

If you agree to this, the Chamber of Crafts can obtain an opinion from the competent guild or professional association on your application.
 

After you have received the exemption, you can be entered in the Register of Craftsmen or you can work as a technical manager in another company.