Informationen zum Verfahrensablauf (English)

The entire process of awarding Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is conducted in German. Moreover, working as a teacher in Germany generally requires a high level of proficiency in the German language as well as the command of a corresponding expert vocabulary used in teaching. Therefore, we recommend that you possess and submit a C1 proficiency certificate in German at the time of application.

An application for QTS can be submitted by post, i.e. as paper documents, or by e-mail (attachments only in .pdf format with clear file names and a maximum total size of 10 MB).

After submitting your application, you will receive confirmation of its receipt and feedback on the documents you have submitted within one month. Once the documents are complete, a decision on your application will be made within a maximum of four months.

Any costs incurred for translations, certifications or language certificates shall be borne by the applicant. The recognition procedure itself is free of charge and fees.

The official language of the Federal Republic of Germany is German. Therefore, official translations of all documents issued in any other language must be submitted. Only translations from original documents will be accepted. In Germany an official translation of documents can only be carried out by publicly appointed or sworn translators. The compulsory note on the accuracy of the translation must contain the translator’s name, address and reference to their public appointment. The contact data of official translators are available on request at district courts or at www.gerichts-dolmetscher.de.

The recognition procedure aims to award QTS for a type of school and / or educational level (primary or secondary education) in North Rhine-Westphalia matching your original qualification. As a rule, you will have to teach two subjects or, at primary schools, three learning areas/subjects. 

If your original professional qualification is potentially valid for all types of schools or educational levels, recognition will only be granted for one type of educational level or school.

According to current legal reguluations, there is no recognition of any certificate which qualifies you to teach only one subject (exception: music and art at grammar and comprehensive schools). 

However, it is possible to extend your qualification to include additional subjects during the recognition procedure. 

You can find the different teaching qualifications and possible combinations of subjects in the annex to the application form.

Unless there are substantial differences between the training and qualification certificates you have submitted and a comparable North Rhine-Westphalian teacher training programme, direct recognition will be granted.

If there are significant differences, recognition will be granted on condition that you successfully complete additional courses and / or tests (adaptation course / aptitude test).

The successful completion of the recognition procedure enables you to achieve QTS under the same conditions as bearers of a corresponding North Rhine-Westphalian teaching certificate. If the requirements of civil service law are met, you may also become a civil servant later on.

However, successfully completing the recognition process as such does not automatically entitle you to employment as a teacher in North Rhine-Westphalia.

In order to prove as an applicant to local school authorities or central regional authorities that you possess QTS in North Rhine-Westphalia, you will receive a letter of confirmation as well as a certificate summing up your qualification in a single mark / grade. 

The grade awarded is equivalent to the final grade obtained for the teacher training course completed in your country of origin and will be converted to the German grading system using the so-called Bavarian Grade Conversion Formula (Bayerische Notenumrechnungsformel).

For further information, we have compiled a separate list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) for you.