Apply for state recognition as a farrier's apprentice farrier

If you would like to work as a farrier's apprentice, you will need state recognition.
You can find out more here.

In the Federal Republic of Germany, the shoeing of hooves and claws is an activity that requires state recognition as a certified farrier. This means that animal welfare concerns are also taken into account.
The quality of the farrier's work has a direct influence on the health of hoofed and cloven-hoofed animals.

Specialist training at farriery schools may only be carried out by certified and state-approved farriery instructors.

Examination certificates in the field of farriery and horseshoeing obtained outside of Germany can be treated equally in accordance with the Farriery Recognition Ordinance. This ordinance also regulates the procedure for state recognition for persons with equivalent examination certificates.

For the equivalence of examination certificates obtained abroad and state recognition for persons with equivalent examination certificates, please contact the Giessen Regional Council directly.

The Giessen Regional Council is responsible.

For further training completed in Germany:

• Identification document (e.g. passport or identity card)
• State recognition as a farrier or blacksmith
• Proof of having worked as a farrier for at least five years
• Proof of annual attendance at further training events during this period
• Proof of the required professional and occupational pedagogical knowledge,
• Proof of successfully passing the examination to become an apprentice farrier

For persons with examination certificates obtained outside Germany:

• Clarification of the required documents by contacting the Giessen Regional Council

• Forms available: No
• Written form required: Yes
• Informal application possible: No
• Personal appearance necessary: No

State recognition as an apprentice farrier is granted if the following requirements are met:

• State recognition as a farrier,
• at least five years' experience as a farrier,
• annual attendance of further training courses during this period,
• the required professional and occupational pedagogical knowledge and
• a successfully passed examination to become an apprentice farrier.

Appeal (appeal may be excluded depending on national law), administrative court action

• You submit the application, including the required evidence, to the competent authority.
• They will check whether all the requirements for state recognition have been met.
• If the examination is positive, you will be granted state recognition as an apprentice farrier.

You may only commence work as a farrier's apprentice after receiving state recognition.
You do not have to meet any deadlines for the application.

The competent authority confirms receipt of the documents to the applicant within one month and informs the applicant whether any documents are missing for the decision.
A decision on equal status and state recognition must be made no later than three months after submission of the complete documents. This deadline may be extended by one month in justified cases that are particularly difficult to assess.
If there is any doubt as to the authenticity of the certificates and training certificates submitted or the rights conferred by them, the competent authority or body in the country of origin may verify the authenticity or the rights conferred by them; the expiry of the deadline is suspended for this period.

Additional costs may also be incurred (e.g. for translations or notarizations). These costs may vary depending on the scope of the application.

plus shipping costs: Fee from 100,00 EUR to 500,00 EUR (Information on cost composition can be found here)

Anyone who intentionally or negligently carries out farriery and hoof trimming as a farrier or the specialist training at farriery schools as a farriery instructor without the required state recognition is acting in breach of the regulations.