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SOCIAL EDUCATION WORKER, SOCIAL WORKER (M/F) (BY:

SOCIAL EDUCATION WORKER (F/M))
GERMAN: SOZIALPÄDAGOGE/SOZIALPÄDAGOGIN, SOZIALARBEITER/IN
(BY: SOZIALPÄDAGOGE/SOZIALPÄDAGOGIN)

Every federal state in Germany regulates the requirements for this profession itself. This means that the procedure and the
requirements may be different in another federal state. The location in which you work is important. The information below refers
to the location you chose before.

Competent authority in charge of recognition procedure

Zentrum Bayern Familie und Soziales - Region Unterfranken - Anerkennungsstelle für Sozial- und
Kindheitspädagogen
Georg-Eydel-Str. 13
97082 Würzburg

Phone: 0931/4107-500
Fax: 0931/4107-111
E-mail: sozkipaedg@zbfs.bayern.de
https://www.zbfs.bayern.de/familie/berufsabschluss/index.php

Professional Recognition
DO I NEED TO HAVE MY PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS RECOGNIZED?

Yes, you require recognition of your foreign professional qualification. The occupations of social education worker and social
worker are regulated in Germany. The job title “State-recognised social education worker/social worker” is protected. You require
formal authorisation to use the job title.

You are not permitted to refer to yourself as a “State-recognised social education worker/social worker” until your professional
qualification from abroad has been recognised.

ARE THERE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WITHOUT A FORMAL RECOGNITION OF YOUR FOREIGN QUALIFICATION?

Yes, there is an opportunity for you to work without formal recognition in the field of social education. For example, you can work
as a member of staff with independent providers or private institutions. In this case the employer themselves assesses your
professional qualification and your personal suitability. However you are not permitted to refer to yourself as “State-recognised
social education worker/social worker”.

Tip: The Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) can assess your certificate. A certificate assessment by the ZAB could improve
your chances on the German labour market. Following the assessment, the ZAB issues you with written confirmation. This written
confirmation enables employers to better understand your foreign professional qualification. Further information regarding
certificate assessment is available here.

Please note: Certificate assessment does not replace recognition of your professional qualification. However you are not
permitted use the assessment of higher education certificates to refer to yourself as “State-recognised social education
worker/social worker”. You can only receive recognition of your professional qualification from the competent authority.

ARE THERE FURTHER CONDITIONS OF ACCESS TO THE OCCUPATION?

Yes, in addition to the recognition of your professional qualification you must also meet the following requirements. These are:

Personal suitability
(This means for example that you have committed no criminal acts and are reliable.)
Knowledge of German
Knowledge of relevant German legal areas and knowledge of the government administration

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Information on the procedure

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCEDURE?

All persons who have a university degree in their country of origin which qualifies them to work as a social education worker may
apply. Your nationality or the country in which you acquired your professional qualification are irrelevant. The application can also
be made from abroad.

However you must provide evidence that you are seeking to work in Bavaria as a “State-recognised social education
worker/social worker” if

You do not live in the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland and
You are not a citizen of a country in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland

HOW DOES THE PROCEDURE WORK?

Please note: In the past it was possible in Germany to take a degree in “Social Work” or a degree in “Social education”. There is
now generally one degree for both in Germany. This means that you can normally apply for recognition of both job titles.

You apply in writing to the competent authority.

If you are entitled to apply, a check is made to establish whether you have submitted your documents in full. If this is not the
case, you will be asked to resubmit the missing documents.
The competent authority compares your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification of
“State-recognised social education worker/social worker”.
The competent authority checks whether any substantial differences exist between your foreign professional qualification
and the German professional qualification of “State recognised social education worker/social worker”.
The competent authority also checks whether your foreign qualification has been acquired at a recognised higher education
institution and whether it qualifies you for comparable activities (such as the “Social work” course).
The competent authority also checks whether regulations exist governing the “social education worker” occupation in the
country of training.

“Substantial differences” means

The content of your foreign qualification is different. The German qualification has different content and emphases.
The duration of your foreign qualification is much shorter than in the case of the German qualification.

You can compensate for substantial differences in whole or in part using knowledge, experience and skills. The competent
authority will take into account your practical professional experience in this process (from abroad or in Germany).

WHAT RESULTS ARE POSSIBLE?

No substantial differences are established and all further requirements are met. In this case your foreign professional
qualification is recognised. You receive formal authorisation to use the job title and you are permitted to refer to yourself as
“State-recognised social education worker/social worker”. You are treated in law in exactly the same way as individuals with
a corresponding German professional qualification.
Substantial differences have been established. In this case your foreign professional qualification is not recognised.
However, you are able to complete a compensation measure and compensate for the differences. The compensation
measure is an adaptation period or an aptitude test:
Adaptation period: The adaptation period is a practical second-chance programme. This means that you are
supported by a qualified individual in this profession at work. You will often attend a course or seminar in parallel to
this. The duration depends on the differences established between your foreign qualification and the German
qualification.
The adaptation period lasts for a maximum of 3 years.
Aptitude test: The aptitude test checks your competency for the profession. An aptitude test is not a new final
examination. In the aptitude test, only those differences are checked which were established by the competent
authority.

You can choose to complete either the adaptation period or the aptitude test.

Once you successfully complete the compensation measure and all other requirements are met, your professional
qualification is recognised as equivalent. You received formal authorisation to use the job title of “State-recognised social
education worker/social worker”.

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An appeal against the decision of the competent authority is permitted. This means you can take legal action against the decision
in order to have this decision reviewed. Details regarding this are to be found in the appeal instruction at the end of your
assessment notification. However, it is recommended that you clarify disputed issues with the competent authority before
submitting the appeal.

WHICH DOCUMENTS DO I NEED?

The following documents must normally be submitted:

The completed and signed application form (see “INSTRUCTIONS AND FORMS”)
Proof of identity (e.g. your passport or your personal identification)
Your curriculum vitae in the form of a table and in German (list of your training courses and your professional practice)
Degree certificate from the higher education institution including summary of subjects and documentation of the length of
the specialist placement in days (an officially certified copy of the original and the German translation). If available – The
“Lisbon certificate” from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).
Evidence of your foreign vocational qualification (an officially certified copy of the original AND the German translation).
Evidence of your professional practical experience as social education worker or social worker (e.g. references from
employers (an officially certified copy of the original AND the German translation).
Evidence of your other qualifications (e.g. continuing vocational training education, courses, seminars) (an officially
certified copy of the original AND the German translation).
Possibly certification that you are permitted to work in your country of training as social education worker or social worker
and are recognised by the state (an officially certified copy of the original AND the German translation).
Evidence of your knowledge of German (see “IS KNOWLEDGE OF GERMAN REQUIRED”)? (An officially certified copy of
the original AND the German translation).
Evidence of your knowledge of relevant German legal areas and of your knowledge of the government administration.
Evidence showing that you are seeking to work in Bavaria as a “State-recognised social education worker/social worker”
(e.g. evidence that you have applied for your work visa. Or evidence that you have spoken to potential employers. Or a
business concept.)
(See “ARE THERE FURTHER CONDITIONS OF ACCESS TO THE OCCUPATION?”)
If your place of residence is in an EU/EEA state or in Switzerland, or you are a citizen of one of these states, this evidence is
not necessary.

The competent authority will inform you of which documents you must submit as originals or as copies. We recommend that you:
Only hand over officially certified copies of your certificates and documents to the competent authority no originals. "Officially
certified” means: Aa public authority confirms that the copy is identical to the original. For example, a public authority is the city
administration, the commune or the mayor's office. The public authority compares the original to the copy. If the original and the
copy are identical, the authority stamps the copy and signs it with date and signature. In doing so, the authority is identifying the
copy as genuine.

If your documents are not available in German, you must submit German translations of your documents. The translations must
be prepared by translators who are publicly appointed or authorised in Germany. The translations must be prepared from the
original or from the certified copies. This must be certified by the translator. Publicly appointed or authorised translators in
Germany can be found here.

You will find further information on the required documents here.

HOW LONG WILL THE PROCEDURE TAKE

If your documents have been submitted in full, the procedure currently takes approximately 4 weeks to clarify whether and which
compensation measure is necessary. If however further information is required or your documents are not complete, the process
may also take longer. Overall the procedure takes between 4 and 12 weeks from making the application through to issuing of
state recognition. This period can be extended once. You must be informed with a justification of an extension to the period. For
individuals with a professional qualification from the EU, the EEA or from Switzerland, the procedure may take a maximum of one
month longer. This also applies if your training has already been recognised in one of these states.

WHAT DOES THE PROCEDURE COST?

The procedure costs between €360 and €1,080. The competent authority will inform you of the exact costs. The competent
authority will inform you of the exact costs. The costs often depend on the time and effort involved in processing. If you apply, you
must pay part of the costs (€150).

Additional costs may be incurred (e.g. for translations, certifications or compensation measures). These costs differ depending
on the individual.

It may be possible for you to receive financial support. Further information is available here.

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INFORMATION & FORMS OF THE COMPETENT AUTHORITIES

Information about the procedure and forms

DO I NEED KNOWLEGE OF GERMAN?

Yes, you need knowledge of German at language level B2 under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
(GER). Information about the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (GER) is available here.

You are able to provide evidence of your knowledge of German by means of various certificates, e.g.:

Language diploma from a Goethe-Institut or

„German as a foreign language test“ (TestDaF).

Evidence of sufficient knowledge of German can also be provided if you attended school in Germany and achieved at least grade
4 in the school-leaving certificate from a lower-level/intermediate-level secondary school. In exceptional cases, a sufficient level of
language can also be demonstrated using other evidence.

Application

You can apply for recognition directly to the competent authority. Seek advice from an IQ counselling centre before making the
application. Counselling services near you are available here.

The application can also be sent to the single point of contact. They will help you and forward your application to the competent
authority which carries out the recognition procedure. Further information is available here .

You can normally also submit your application electronically. However, in this case evidence and other documents can only be
sent if these have been issued or recognised in a member state of the European Union or of the European Economic Area.

Legal Basis

Bayerisches Berufsqualifikationsfeststellungsgesetz – BayBQFG

Bayerisches Sozial- und Kindheitspädagogengesetz – BaySozKiPädG

Special Note

Ethnic German Resettler

If you are an ethnic German resettler you may pursue a recognition procedure in accordance with the Federal Expellees Act as
previously or pursuant to the here refered law. Ethnic German resettlers can decide which procedure is likely to be more
favourable for them. Your competent authority will advise you on choosing the right procedure depending on your personal
profile.

Counselling Services

Obtain personal advice at an IQ Counselling Centre. Information on how to find a Counselling Centre in Germany is available
here.

The telephone hotline provided by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees is open from 9 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday and
can be contacted on: +49 30 1815-1111.

Further advisory services are available here.

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Occupational profile

Fields of work

Social workers are employed in homes for young people, in children s homes, in old people s homes, at daycare centres and care
homes for people with disabilities, at institutions for the homeless, at family and addiction advisory bodies or in care guidance
institutions. They also work in visiting social services, at social services, health and youth welfare authorities, in self-help groups
and in prisons. Further employment opportunities are provided by nursery schools and child daycare centres, primary and
secondary schools, Universities of Cooperative Education and professional academies.

Professional experience

Social workers deal with the prevention, overcoming and resolution of social problems. They advise and support individual
persons, families or certain groups of persons in difficult situations. They also draw up and support the implementation of
concepts for educational work.

It might be said that “social work” is more wide-ranging than “social education”. Social work focuses on working with children,
young people and families. Social work also covers areas such as migration, social reintegration and vocational reintegration. In
the past it was possible in Germany to take a degree in “Social Work” or a degree in “Social education”. There is now generally
one degree for both in Germany.

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