Publisher: Federal Institue for Vocational Education and Training

Funded through the "Integration Through Qualification - IQ" programme with funds from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the
Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Federal Employment Agency.
www.recognition-in-germany.de
Physics laboratory technician (m/f)
Competent authority in charge of
recognition procedure
Comment to the competent authority
The German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) are responsible for the reference occupation you have
selected. One central office has been established for all German federal states. Please contact the IHK FOSA.
Special regulations apply in the IHK districts of Hanover and Braunschweig. If you work or wish to work in this
district, the responsible authority for your application is the IHK Hanover.
IHK FOSA
Ulmenstrae 52g
90443 Nrnberg
Phone: (0911) 815060
Fax: 0911 81506100
E-mail: info@ihk-fosa.de
www.ihk-fosa.de
Industrie- und Handelskammer Hannover
Schiffgraben 49
30175 Hannover
Phone: (0511) 3107-0
Fax: (0511) 3107-333
E-mail: info@hannover.ihk.de
www.hannover.ihk.de
Before submitting an application to the IHK FOSA or to the Hanover Chamber of Industry and Commerce, we
recommend that you use the advice service provided by your local Chamber of Industry and Commerce,
either in person or by telephone. You can find your local Chamber of Industry and Commerce here as well as
details of the relevant contact partners who will be able to answer any questions regarding recognition and
applications.
Professional Recognition
DO I NEED TO HAVE MY PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS RECOGNIZED
The selected occupation is a so-called training occupation which is not regulated in Germany. You can also
practice this profession without a state licence.
You also, however, have the option of having your qualification assessed for equivalence with a German
Publisher: Federal Institue for Vocational Education and Training
Funded through the "Integration Through Qualification - IQ" programme with funds from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the
Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Federal Employment Agency.
qualification.
This delivers benefits
G The notice of equivalence you will receive is an official and legally secure document which confirms
equivalence of the foreign qualification with the relevant German reference qualification and confers the same
legal rights as a German qualification.
G Regardless of whether you obtain full or partial equivalence for your vocational qualification, the procedure will
make it easier for employers to evaluate your qualification. This will increase your chances on the jobs market.
G The assessment notice will assist you in making progress within your occupation.
Information on the procedure
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THEPROCEDURE?
You may apply for a procedure to investigate the equivalence of your vocational qualification if:
G you are able to show that you have completed a vocational qualification which was not obtained in Germany
and
G you wish to work in Germany.
It is not necessary to hold German citizenship or a residence permit for Germany in order to obtain recognition of
your professional or vocational qualification. There is also no need for you to be resident in Germany at the time
when you apply. You may submit your application before entering the country from abroad. Prior to initiating a
recognition procedure, you should, however, clarify whether you are entitled to migrate to Germany in order to work
here.
For interested parties abroad Prior to initiating a recognition procedure, you should, however, clarify whether
you are entitled to migrate to Germany in order to work here. You can use the Migration Check service to
verify your status. Further information on starting work in Germany is available here.
Application forms for a recognition procedure are available on the Internet sites of the competent bodies or by
direct enquiry to the competent bodies themselves.
If you are an ethnic German resettler(an immigrant of German descent from the successor states of the
former Soviet Union and other Eastern European states), you may choose between the new procedure in
accordance with the Vocational Qualifications Assessment Law (BQFG) or the recognition procedure
pursuant to the Federal Expellees Act (BVFG). More information is available here. For details ask your local
Industrie- und Handelskammer (IHK).
WHAT FORM DOES THE PROCEDURE TAKE?
G Your foreign vocational qualification is compared with a German vocational qualification.
G The competent authority examines whether there are significant differences between your foreign vocational
qualification and the German vocational qualification.
G As well as looking at your vocational qualification, it will also consider the occupational practice you have
gained in Germany or abroad.
G The procedure is subject to a charge. The relevant competent authority will provide information regarding
costs.
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE OUTCOMES?
Publisher: Federal Institue for Vocational Education and Training
Funded through the "Integration Through Qualification - IQ" programme with funds from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the
Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Federal Employment Agency.
G If your vocational qualification is recognised as possessing full equivalence, you will enjoy the same rights as
holders of the relevant German reference qualification.
G The partial equivalence of your qualification will be certified if there are significant differences between your
qualification and the German reference qualification. The assessment notice issued by the competent
authority includes a detailed description of your existing vocational skills and of the knowledge which is
missing. This is f assistance on the jobs market, facilitates targeted continuing training or second-chance
qualification and enables a new application to be made at a later point if appropriate.
WHICH DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED?
G Tabular summary in German of the training courses you have completed including previous occupational
activity if relevant
G Proof of identity (identity card or passport)
G Proof of vocational qualification
G Proof of your relevant occupational experience
G Evidence of other qualifications (e.g. continuing vocational training courses)
G A declaration that you have not previously submitted an application for assessment of equivalence
G Evidence of intention to work in Germany (does not apply to nationals of the EU/EEA/Switzerland and to
persons resident in the EU/EEA/Switzerland)
The competent authority may require certified copies of documents or the original documents themselves. Simple
copies of your documents may also suffice in some cases. Ask your competent authority.
You should submit German translations of your documents. Translations must be made by interpreters or
translators who are publicly authorised or certified in Germany or abroad. The competent authority may also decide
that no translations are needed. Ask your competent authority.
HOW LONG DOES THE PROCEDURE TAKE?
G The competent authority will begin the equivalence assessment procedure when all documents have been
received in completed form.
G A decision will be made within 3 months of receipt of all documents. The decision deadline may be extended
on a single occasion in difficult cases.
WHAT IS THE COST OF THE PROCEDURE?
G The procedure is subject to a charge. The fees for submitting an application range from 100 to 600. The
actual amount of the fee payable is based on the amount of time and expense incurred. This may vary from
occupation to occupation and from federal state to federal state.
G Costs of fees and other costs such as translation and certification of documents must in all cases be borne by
the applicants themselves. In some circumstances and on an individual case basis, these fees may be paid by
other bodies (e.g. German Social Security Code II and III ).
G If the required evidence cannot be submitted, it is possible for a skills analysis to be carried out ( 14 BQFG)
for the purpose of ascertaining occupational competences (e.g. via a specialist oral examination or work
sample). In such cases, an applicant may incur further costs.
G The competent authority may require fees to be paid in advance. Ask your competent authority.
G Prior to submitting an application, unemployed applicants or applicants registered as job seekers should seek
clarification from their local Employment Office or Job Centre whether the labour administration authorities will
meet the costs of the procedure. The labour administration authorities will only provide such support if it is of
the view that recognition of a foreign training qualification is necessary in order for the holder to be integrated
into the labour market. Adaptation measures such as continuing training courses or examination preparations
may also be funded in these cases.
Legal Basis
Publisher: Federal Institue for Vocational Education and Training
Funded through the "Integration Through Qualification - IQ" programme with funds from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the
Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Federal Employment Agency.
G Law to assess the equivalency of professional qualifications (BQFG)
Counselling Services
See http://netzwerk-iq.de for a list of guidance services or click on 'Counselling'.
Occupational profile
Fields of work
Physics laboratory technicians work in physics laboratories and in workshops within the electrical, metalworking,
chemical and ceramics industries. They also find employment in laboratories at research institutes.
Professional experience
G Conduct measurements and series of tests including using data processing
G Prepare measurements and series of tests
G Select appropriate measuring equipment and apparatus, configure such equipment and apparatus as required
for specific tasks and assignments
G Combine or assemble measuring equipment and apparatus
G Operate measuring equipment and apparatus
G Conduct calculations of measurements and series of tests
G Evaluate and interpret data obtained from measurements and series of tests, in particular using electronic
data processing systems and document results
G Handle materials and equipment professionally according due consideration to safety and environmental
protection regulations
G Be in possession of a broad basic education and be able to present fundamental scientific correlations within
fields of work