Apply for entry in the register of craftsmen with an exemption permit

If taking the master craftsman's examination in order to practice a craft requiring a license is an unreasonable burden for you, you may be eligible for registration on the craft roll on the basis of an exemption permit.

Registration in the Register of Craftsmen is necessary if you wish to operate a craft requiring a license in Germany.

Registration in the Register of Craftsmen is possible for

• natural or legal persons and
• partnerships with legal capacity.

This also applies if

• you wish to carry out a significant part of a craft requiring a license on a self-employed basis.
• you wish to carry out several trades requiring a license independently. In this case, you will need to be entered in the Register of Craftsmen for each craft requiring a license.

The management of a craft business must have the professional requirements (proof of qualification) for practicing the craft requiring a license. Both the owners of a skilled crafts business and employed persons are eligible as management. In the latter case, the application for registration must be submitted together with a manager's declaration and supplementary documents.

If the master craftsman examination represents an unreasonable burden for you, you can also apply for entry in the register of craftsmen with an exemption permit.

Reasons for exemption may include

• advanced age,
• family situations,
• serious illness or disability,
• the presence of other examinations,
• long waiting times for master craftsman examinations.

Each exceptional reason is examined on a case-by-case basis. In addition, you must provide evidence of the knowledge and skills required to practise the trade.
The exemption permit can be issued with additional conditions. For example, a temporary exemption may be granted if it is only temporarily unreasonable to take the master craftsman's examination.

The Chamber of Skilled Crafts in Hesse in whose district the main commercial establishment is located is responsible.

Sole proprietorship:

• Copy of identity card or comparable identification document
• Exemption permit for entry in the register of craftsmen
• Copy of the business registration (can be submitted after entry in the register of craftsmen)

Companies under civil law (GbR):

• Copies of the identity cards or comparable identification documents of the partners or authorized representatives
• Copy of the articles of association (if not concluded informally)
• Exemption permit for entry in the register of craftsmen
• Copy of the business registration (can be submitted after entry in the register of craftsmen)

Commercial partnerships with legal capacity, general partnerships (OHG), limited partnerships (KG) and corresponding foreign company forms:

• Copies of the identity cards or comparable identification documents of the shareholders or persons authorized to represent the company
• for proof of the company's legal form if the company is based in Germany:
  • for companies entered in the commercial register: extract from the register, for OHGs additionally a copy of the articles of association
  • if no entry has been made in the register: copy of the articles of association
• for proof of the corporate legal form in the case of foreign legal forms:
  • Extract from the relevant foreign register for companies entered in registers, otherwise
• Copy of the articles of association
• Exemption permit for entry in the register of craftsmen
• Copy of the business registration (can be submitted after entry in the register of craftsmen)

Legal entities - limited liability company (GmbH), limited liability entrepreneurial company (UG), public limited company (AG), registered cooperative (eG):

• Copies of the identity cards or comparable identification documents of the persons authorized to represent the company
• for proof of the company's legal form if the company is based in Germany:
  • Extract from the commercial or cooperative register
• For proof of the legal form of the company in the case of foreign legal forms
  • Extract from the relevant foreign register
• Copy of the business registration (can be submitted later after entry in the register of craftsmen)

Details of the company management

• If a manager is employed, the following documents must also be submitted:
• Manager's declaration
• Proof of management activity (copy of employment contract)
• Proof of social insurance for the manager
• Exemption permit for entry in the register of craftsmen

• The master craftsman's examination must represent an unreasonable burden for you.
• You must have the knowledge and skills to practise the trade.
• On the basis of the granted exemption permit, you can have the craft roll entry made.

§ Section 6 (1) of the Crafts Code (HWO)
§ Section 7 (3) of the Crafts Code (HWO)

You must apply for entry in the Register of Craftsmen online or in writing to the Chamber of Crafts responsible for you.

Online application:

• Various administrative portals of the federal states offer online applications.
• The chambers of skilled crafts also offer online access to their administrative procedures.

Written application:

• Go to the website of your local Chamber of Skilled Crafts and download the application form. You are also welcome to contact your Chamber of Skilled Crafts directly and have the required documents sent to you.
• Complete the form in full and send it together with the required documents to your local Chamber of Skilled Crafts.
• The application, reason for exemption and supporting documents will be checked by the Chamber of Skilled Crafts.
• The Chamber of Skilled Crafts will decide on your application and inform you accordingly.

If the decision is positive, you can be entered in the Register of Craftsmen. Together with the notification of registration, the company receives the so-called craftsman's card.

You can only practice a craft requiring a license if you are entered in the register of craftsmen. You must therefore apply for the necessary exemption permit for entry in the register of craftsmen at an early stage.

The specific fee can be found in the Chamber of Crafts' schedule of fees, which is available on the Chamber's website.