Applying for recognition of teaching qualifications acquired in the GDR

• Title: Article 37 of the Treaty between the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic on the Establishment of German Unity (Unification Treaty)
• Title: Mutual recognition of teaching qualifications acquired under the law of the GDR (Resolution of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of 22.10.1999)

If the equivalence of the teacher training examination is checked outside the recruitment procedure for the preparatory service or teaching service, the following documents must be enclosed with the application:

• a tabular list of the completed training courses and activities carried out,
• officially certified copies of the complete final documents (e.g. certificate and diploma),
• if the current name differs from the name on the qualification certificate, a copy of the marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate or change of name,
• further documents required for the equivalence check may be requested subsequently.

If you would like to be employed as a teacher in the preparatory service or in the teaching profession, you can find out about the required documents on the following websites:

• For the school service
• For the preparatory service

You acquired a teaching qualification in the former GDR.

The decision on the equivalence of a teaching qualification acquired in the GDR is generally made as part of the application procedure for recruitment to the preparatory service or teaching profession. A separate application for determination of the equivalence of the teaching examination or teaching qualification is not required.

If, in exceptional cases, a decision on the determination of equivalence is required outside of the recruitment procedure, a corresponding written application must be submitted. Once the application has been reviewed, you will receive a notification of recognition or rejection.

Forms available: No

Written form required: Yes

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance necessary: No

Online services available: No

• If you would like to be employed as a teacher in the preparatory service, you can find out more and apply here
• If you would like to be employed as a teacher, you can find out more and apply here:
• Anyone interested in working as a vocational school teacher can find information and application options here

Please contact your local Regional State Office for Schools and Education

Regional State Office for Schools and Education Braunschweig

• Department 1 Teaching Personnel Division
• Kurt-Schumacher-Str. 21
• 38102 Braunschweig
• Fax no.: +49 531 484-3483
• Service point no.: +49 531 484-3333
• E-mail address: service@rlsb-bs.niedersachsen.de
• Elevator available: yes
• Wheelchair accessible: yes

Regional State Office for Schools and Education Hanover

• Department 1 Teaching Personnel Division
• Mailänder Str. 2
• 30539 Hanover
• Fax no.: +49 511 106 99-2853
• Service point no.: +49 511 106-6000
• E-mail address: service@rlsb-h.niedersachsen.de
• Elevator available: yes
• Wheelchair accessible: yes

Regional State Office for Schools and Education Lüneburg

• Department 1 Teaching Personnel Division
• Auf der Hude 2
• 21339 Lüneburg
• Fax no.: +49 4131 1545-2930
• Service point no.: +49 4131 15-2222
• E-mail address: service@rlsb-lg.niedersachsen.de
• Elevator available: yes
• Wheelchair accessible: yes

Regional State Office for Schools and Education Osnabrück

• Department 1 Teaching Personnel Division
• Mühleneschweg 8
• 49090 Osnabrück
• Fax no.: +49 541 77046-8103
• Service point no.: +49 541 77046-444
• E-mail address: service@rlsb-os.niedersachsen.de
• Elevator available: yes
• Wheelchair accessible: yes