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Social pedagogue; application for permission to use the professional title for professional qualifications from abroad

You can apply for state recognition as a social pedagogue.

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Zentrum Bayern Familie und Soziales - Anerkennungsstelle für Sozial- und Kindheitspädagogen

Zentrum Bayern Familie und Soziales

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Georg-Eydel-Str. 13
97082 Würzburg

Postal address

Postfach 5309

97003 Würzburg

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Procedure details

You have obtained a university degree abroad in the field of social pedagogy or social work. You would like to have this degree recognized in Bavaria and receive state recognition as a social pedagogue.

In Bavaria, you have a legal right to an individual assessment as to whether you are permitted to use the above professional titles on the basis of your foreign degree.

State recognition is a prerequisite for certain work activities if this is required in terms of the requirement for skilled workers in the respective social security codes. This applies in particular to sovereign tasks and to activities based on guidelines that require this qualification.

State-recognized social pedagogues are persons subject to professional secrecy within the meaning of Section 203 of the German Criminal Code.

State recognition may also be relevant for the pay scale.

The Recognition Office for Social and Childhood Educators checks the requirements for obtaining state recognition. The existing professional qualifications are presented positively.

If there are significant differences between your professional qualifications and the content of your studies in Bavaria, it will be explained what measures can be taken to compensate for these.
Once the compensation measures have been completed or if all requirements are immediately met, the recognition office will grant state recognition.

Employers decide on the one hand whether they will only fill the respective position with an applicant with state recognition and on the other hand on the professional and personal suitability of the applicant.

Further information on the requirements, the examination procedure and data protection in the recognition procedure can be found in the information sheets (see "Further links").

  • You have obtained a university degree in the field of social pedagogy or social work abroad.
  • In the country of training, you are authorized to practice the corresponding profession in the field of social pedagogy or social work.
  • With regard to the skills and knowledge imparted , there are no significant differences between your degree completed abroad and the corresponding course of study at a university in the Free State of Bavaria.
  • Only suitable foreign degrees in the field of social pedagogy/social work can lead to state recognition. It is not possible to convert degrees from other disciplines into these qualifications.
  • Knowledge of the relevant German legal areas, knowledge of administration and knowledge of social management must be demonstrated. If such knowledge is lacking, it can be acquired in appropriate adaptation measures.
    German language skills of at least B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) are also required (further information can be found at: "Further links" - "Pedagogical degree abroad - information sheets and further information").
  • Persons who have committed certain criminal offenses are not eligible for state recognition. A list of the relevant criminal offenses within the meaning of the Criminal Code (StGB) can be found in the information sheet (see "Further links" - "Teacher training degree abroad - information sheets and further information").
  • The payment of an advance on fees is a prerequisite for the examination of your documents.
  • With the Recognition Guide of the Zentrum Bayern Familie und Soziales (ZBFS), you can check whether you should submit an application for state recognition as a social pedagogue. (see under "Further links")

  • You must submit the following documents:

    • Proof of identity, e.g. identity card or passport
    • Curriculum vitae in German
    • Diploma certificate in the original language and a certified German translation
    • Complete certificate showing the combination of subjects completed and all subjects with details of ECTS or hours in the original language and in a certified German translation
    • If you have completed an internship of more than 600 hours: Proof of the internship in the original language and in a certified German translation
    • Only if the profession in the field of social work / social pedagogy is regulated in the country of training:
      Proof of full professional authorization in the country of training, e.g. via a state examination or an entry in a professional register or a specialist examination in the original language and in a certified German translation
    • In the case of professional experience in the field of social work / social pedagogy: Proof of professional experience in the field of social work / social pedagogy, e.g. certificate of employment, certificate of employment, employment contract in the original language and in a certified German translation
    • If German is not your native language: proof of German language proficiency at B2 level
      Proof can also be submitted after the application has been submitted.
      The following certificates are accepted:
      • Goethe Institute - B2 certificate
      • TELC certificate B2
      • Test of German as a foreign language (TestDaF)
      • German language test for university entrance (DSH)
      • ÖSD certificate B2
    • Other certificates of qualification in the original language and in a certified German translation

    For all documents, it is usually sufficient to send simple copies when applying in paper form or a scan of these documents if you choose to apply online.

Start of proceedings

  • The procedure begins upon receipt of an application.
  • The recognition body confirms receipt of the application within one month, checks receipt of the advance payment of EUR 150.00 and requests any missing documents.

Procedure

  • The recognition body checks the requirements for the granting of state recognition on the basis of the documents submitted.
  • The main criteria are the skills and knowledge acquired during the individual studies completed abroad.
  • Other methods and sources of information may also be used by the recognition body (e.g. research in the country of training).
  • If the documents are not sufficient, further information or documents may be requested from the applicant.
  • A determination will be made as to whether there are significant differences between the individual degree and the qualifying course content in Bavaria. The existence of other special requirements for the granting of state recognition will also be examined. Proven professional experience and other qualifications will be taken into account.

Completion of the procedure

After receipt of the complete documents and the advance payment, the recognition body must decide on the application within three months by means of a decision.

The following outcomes are possible:

  • If no significant differences are found and all other special requirements are met: State recognition is granted and a corresponding certificate is issued.
  • There are no significant differences, but the special requirements for state recognition have not yet been met:
    State recognition is not yet granted. However, the equivalence of the professional qualification is established in a legally binding decision and it is explained which compensatory measures can be used to compensate for the deficits for state recognition. You will be offered a corresponding adaptation period.
    Upon request, a separate certificate of equivalence will be issued.
    After successful completion of the adaptation period, state recognition will be granted and a corresponding certificate issued.
  • There are significant differences and the special requirements for state recognition are not met:
    State recognition is not yet granted. A legally binding decision is issued stating which compensatory measures can be used to compensate for significant differences or deficits. You will be offered a corresponding adaptation period. After successful completion of the adaptation course, state recognition will be granted and a corresponding certificate issued.
  • If the course of study completed abroad does not qualify the applicant for comparable activities as a qualifying course of study in the Free State of Bavaria, the application will be rejected.
  • If the applicant does not comply with his/her obligation to cooperate and the facts of the case cannot be clarified as a result, the application will be rejected.

Compensatory measures

  • If there are significant differences between the foreign degree course completed and the corresponding degree course in Bavaria regulated by state law, compensatory measures are necessary.
  • The areas of study for which compensatory measures are necessary will be determined by the Recognition Office in a decision. This entitles you to take part in the corresponding compensatory measures.
  • Compensatory measures are offered as an adaptation course with proof of performance.
  • You are entitled to advice on which teaching institutions offer the relevant compensation measures.
  • After completing the adaptation course, you can submit a follow-up application for state recognition by submitting the certificates of achievement you have acquired.

The costs generally amount to EUR 360.00 to 600.00. The costs depend on the amount of work involved.

An advance payment of EUR 150.00 must be made immediately after the application has been submitted. You will be informed of the amount of the remaining payment in the notification.

A fee of EUR 12.00 will be charged for issuing the certificate of authorization to use the professional title.

Further costs will be incurred for any necessary compensatory measures.

none

You will receive confirmation of receipt within one month of receipt of the application.

Within three months of receipt of the complete documents and the advance payment, you will receive a decision that can be appealed.

Please note: The three-month period may be extended once if this is justified by the special nature of the matter.

Recognition grant

It is possible to apply for a recognition grant from the "Zentralen Förderstelle Chemnitz". The application for the recognition grant must be submitted before applying for professional recognition under the BayBQFG. Information on this can be found under "Further links" - "Recognition grant".

Translations

Translations must be carried out by interpreters or translators who are publicly appointed or sworn. They do not have to be publicly appointed or sworn in Germany; a translation by an interpreter or translator who is publicly appointed or sworn in abroad is sufficient. You can find a database of sworn or publicly appointed translators and interpreters in Germany under "Further links" - "Interpreter and translator bank").

Notarizations

A certification confirms that the copy corresponds to the original. Certifications can be obtained from the authority that issued the original document. In addition, the authorities of the Free State of Bavaria, the municipalities and associations of municipalities and other legal entities under public law subject to the supervision of the Free State of Bavaria as well as notaries are authorized to certify copies or make certified copies. In order to save costs, not every single page has to be certified; documents can also be certified in summarized form.

Note for employers

The obligation of the respective employing organization to check the professional and personal suitability of applicants for an assigned position remains unaffected by state recognition.

This applies in particular to the examination of reliability within the meaning of Art. 1 Para. 1 No. 2 and Art. 2 Para. 1 No. 2 of the Bavarian Social and Childhood Educators Act.

Claims based on a determination made in accordance with the provisions of the Bavarian Professional Qualifications Assessment Act and the Bavarian Social and Childhood Educators Act cannot be derived from the recognition body in this respect.

An appeal against the decision may be lodged with the competent administrative court within one month of its notification.

Status: 14.01.2025
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Familie, Arbeit und Soziales
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