Apply for recognition as an architect with professional qualification from abroad

Have you obtained a degree as an architect abroad and gained professional experience? If you would like to practice your profession in Germany, you can apply for registration in the list of architects in your federal state.

The profession of architect is regulated in Germany. The professional title is particularly protected. This means: You need to be registered in the list of architects if you want to use the professional title "architect" in Germany.

You can also apply for jobs on the labor market without being registered in the corresponding list of architects and perform the activities of an architect. However, you are then not allowed to use the professional title "architect" and are also not authorized to submit building documents. If you are registered in the list of architects, you are also entitled to submit building plans, for example. This means that you may sign building plans as the responsible person. You can also apply for registration in the list of architects in Germany with a degree obtained abroad. This will be arranged by the responsible state chamber of architects after reviewing your documents.

The responsible state chamber of architects compares your professional qualification from abroad with the professional qualification in the selected federal state. The procedure is called: determination of equivalence.

Note: If you have acquired your professional qualifications in a state of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or in Switzerland, automatic recognition often applies. In this case, no individual equivalence assessment is carried out.

• Curriculum vitae with information on completed training courses and professional experience
• Proof of identity (identity card or passport)
• Proof of your professional qualification (e.g. certificates, professional diploma)
• Evidence of the content and duration of your education (e.g. Diploma Supplement, Transcript of Records) Evidence of further education and certificates of professional experience
• Additional evidence of relevant professional experience and other proof of qualifications
• Declaration of whether an application for equivalence has already been submitted
• Certificate of establishment or registration certificate of residence in the respective federal state
• If applicable: proof of your personal suitability (for example, certificate of good conduct, criminal record extract, certificate of good standing)
• Perhaps: Certificate evaluation of the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)
  
  

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

• Equivalence of your professional qualification
• You must have at least 2 years of professional experience as an architect.
  
  

In order to use the professional title "architect", you must meet other requirements in addition to the equivalence of your professional qualification. You may have to prove these requirements at a later date:

• Your place of business or main residence must be in the respective federal state or your predominant work must take place there. Or: You want to live or work in the federal state soon.
• Personal suitability

• Appeal
• For more information on how to file an appeal, please refer to the Recognition Notice.
• Action before the administrative court

• First, you submit your application and the required documents to the Chamber of Architects in the state in which you wish to work.
• If necessary, you will be asked to provide missing documents.
• If you have acquired your professional qualification in a state of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or in Switzerland, automatic recognition often applies. In this case, no individual equivalence check is carried out.
• If automatic recognition does not apply or you have acquired your professional qualification in a third country, the competent body will carry out an equivalence test. The competent body checks whether your foreign professional qualification is equivalent to the German professional qualification as an architect.
• If your professional qualification is recognized and you meet the other requirements, you will be entered in the list of architects. You can then use the professional title "architect" in Germany. You will receive a notice to this effect.

If significant differences are found, the equivalence of your professional qualification as an architect will not be certified. Then the following happens:

• You will receive a statement of reasons.
• You can take a compensatory measure to prove the missing knowledge. You can often choose between an adaptation course or an aptitude test.
  
  

If you successfully complete the compensatory measure and meet the other requirements, you will be entered in the list of architects. You may then use the professional title "architect".

You can take legal action (for example, file an objection) against the decision of the competent body within a certain period of time. The decision will then be reviewed. Details on this can be found in the appeal instructions at the end of your decision. We recommend that you first talk to the responsible office before taking legal action against the decision.

There is no deadline.