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Recognition of Social Education professions earned abroad

Erzieherin mit Kindern

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Link to contact information

Professional qualifications in the fields of social work/social education, early childhood or special needs education that are earned abroad may be officially recognised upon application subject to the provisions of the Act on the Recognition of Social Education and Social Service Professions in the Federal State of Berlin.

Contents

Consulting - Office hours

We will be happy to advise you on applications for equivalence assessment of social pedagogical qualifications acquired abroad.

Thu: 10-12 a.m.
Tel. +49 30 90227-5514
E-Mail: anerkennung.sozialberufe@senbjf.berlin.de

General Information for applications

Please note: You must always submit your application in the federal state in which you are resident. Applicants residing in Berlin have to send their complete application documents by post to:

Senatsverwaltung für Bildung, Jugend und Familie
V F 11
Bernhard-Weiß-Straße 6
10178 Berlin

Please do not send your application documents by e-mail, as receipt cannot be guaranteed with large amounts of data.

Translations
No German translation is required for documents from English-speaking countries. In the case of an alphabet other than Latin: Necessary transliterations in Latin letters according to ISO standard of degree title, training programme and job title

Other pedagogical professional qualifications
Other pedagogical professional qualifications (teachers, educationalists, psychologists, speech therapists, etc.) cannot be equated. The granting of state recognition in a socio-educational profession is not possible.

The recognition of foreign social pedagogical professional qualifications at a glance

The recognition of foreign social pedagogical professional qualifications at a glance
Anerkennung ausländischer sozialpädagogischer Berufsabschlüsse

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Foreign academic diplomas

The Social Education professions

  • Early childhood educator
  • Social worker/ Social education worker (B.A.)
  • Special needs educator (B.A.)

are regulated by state recognition. The equivalence of your professional qualification with the professions listed above is assessed upon application. Please submit the necessary supporting documents as simple, legible copies in good quality.

The following application documents will be required

In addition, the following personal documents are required for the application

  • proof of name change (e.g. marriage certificate)
  • original diploma of the professional qualification
  • overview of subjects and grades in the original language (e.g. diploma supplement, study book)
  • if applicable, proof of relevant professional experience (e.g. job references) and other proof of qualifications (e.g. further training)
  • if the profession is regulated in the country of training: certificate of authorisation to practise the profession
  • Translations of theese personal documents in German by a publicly appointed or sworn interpreter or translator. In the case of an alphabet other than Latin: Necessary transliterations in Latin letters according to ISO standard of degree title, degree programme and job title
  • Application Form: Recognition of foreign academic diplomas

    PDF-Document (235.8 kB)

    Download
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Foreign diplomas from vocational trainings

The Social Education professions

  • Child and youth care worker
  • Special needs educator

are regulated by state recognition. The equivalence of your professional qualification with the professions listed above is assessed upon application. Please submit the necessary supporting documents as simple, legible copies in good quality.

The following application documents will be required

In addition, the following personal documents are required for the application

  • proof of name change (e.g. marriage certificate)
  • original diploma of the professional qualification
  • overview of subjects and grades in the original language (e.g. diploma supplement, study book)
  • if applicable, proof of relevant professional experience (e.g. job references) and other proof of qualifications (e.g. further training)
  • if the profession is regulated in the country of training: certificate of authorisation to practise the profession
  • Translations of theese personal documents in German by a publicly appointed or sworn interpreter or translator. In the case of an alphabet other than Latin: Necessary transliterations in Latin letters according to ISO standard of degree title, degree programme and job title
  • Application Form: Recognition of foreign diplomas from vocational trainings

    PDF-Document (145.3 kB)

    Download
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Frequently asked questions

  • Who can help me with my application?

    Initial contact points at the Network Integration by Qualification (Netzwerk Integration durch Qualifizierung) will assist you in the application procedure. erhalten.

  • What German language skills do I need to prove?

    No proof of German language skills is required at the time of application. German language skills at level C 1 are required for state recognition.

  • What is a transliteration and where can I find sworn/authorised translators?

    If you are training or studying in a country where a writing system other than Latin is used (e.g. Cyrillic or Greek alphabet):

    In the translation of the certificate or diploma and the attachment to the diploma into German, a transliteration of the degree title, the degree programme and the job title is also required. This means that these designations must also be noted in the German translation in the original language, but in Latin letters. The translator should be made aware of the necessary transliterations.

    Here you can find sworn/authorised translators

  • How long will it take to process my application?

    If all application documents have been submitted, it will normally take three months.

  • How much do I have to pay for the official recognition?

    An administrative fee in the total amount of EUR 96 for the recognition of higher education qualifications and EUR 100 for the recognition of qualifications from technical school will be charged.

    Please note: From 1 January 2025, an administrative fee totalling 196 Euro will be charged for university qualifications and 145 Euro for technical college qualifications. The date of receipt applies.

  • Can I also apply for recognition online?

    Via the Point of Single Contact EA Berlin you can fill in and submit your application online.

    Ask for consultation by phone if you are not sure which reference occupation you should apply for:

    Tuesday from 14 to 16 h
    Thursday from 10 to 12 h

Legal bases

Senatsverwaltung für Bildung, Jugend und Familie

Bernhard-Weiß-Straße 6
10178 Berlin

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Further information about this

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