The qualifications and licences obtained by graduates of schools and colleges for engineering, arts and crafts as required for specific occupations, regulated professions, trades and self-employment are regulated by the Trade, Commerce and Industry Regulation Act (Gewerbeordnung, GewO). The Trade, Commerce and Industry Regulation Act differentiates between unregulated and regulated crafts and trades. The prerequisite for exercising crafts and trades is fulfilment of general preconditions (such as legal capacity) and specific preconditions (attestation of qualification).

Relevant ordinances list the evidence for every regulated profession which must be considered an attestation of qualification. In this context, explicit reference is made either to specific types of schools or individual schools or, in general, to certain qualifications according to educational attainment with the requirement of proof of a specialist focus depending on the respective regulated profession. The competent public authority (viz. the responsible administrative district authority or municipal administration) states whether these preconditions are met on the basis of a relevant application for the profession or trade. The Federal Ministry of Economics and Labour is obliged to notify the offices of the provincial governments of those types of school the graduates of which must be considered as meeting the preconditions laid down in the ordinances. In addition, completion of practical training of between one and six years is required.

The attestation of qualification is not required for unregulated trades.

Link to the Trade, Commerce and Industry Database (Gewerbedatenbank)