VDI Membership

To apply, regulators will require you to demonstrate that you have an engineering education and that you have relevant work experience. Requirements for registration as -Ing. in Germany are:  

• Academic: You have obtained an engineering education.

• Work experience: You have supervised work experience that demonstrates your ability to apply engineering knowledge.

• Language: You communicate competently in two official languages (i.e. German or English). Be sure you are competent in the language of practice used in the province or territory where you want to work.

• Good character: You have demonstrated truth, honesty and trustworthiness in your conduct.

• Professionalism and ethics: You know professional practice issues, including law and ethics.

Documents you will need to provide are:  

• A completed application.  

• Degrees, certificates, diplomas, and transcripts (course descriptions may also be required). Most regulators require a specific type of credential assessment done by a credential assessment agency. Please check with the regulator for specific requirements, as it may be different than those for immigration purposes.

• A record of your engineering work experience in a format acceptable to the regulator. You will need to show that you have the core engineering competence.

• Professional references, in the regulator’s prescribed format.  

• If you have professional qualifications, e.g. P.Eng, CEng, EUR Ing, Engr, Er., that are equivalent to the requirements and standards of professional practice in Germany, applicants can be to obtain a "-Ing" title through mutual recognition for a professional license. [Here]

Regulators will also require that you pass a Professional Practice Examination (PPE) before becoming licensed. This is an exam about professional practice in Germany, focused on law, ethics, and professionalism; it is not a technical exam about engineering.  

It is important to note that the assessment process to obtain a  "-Ing." licence can be lengthy and expensive. Some individuals may spend months or even years trying, and not everyone succeeds. Therefore, it is good to be prepared and to have interim (or alternate) career options in mind, as necessary. When you have been licensed by regulators, you are allowed to call yourself an engineer and use the reserved title for your licence type (e.g., -Ing.). Use of an engineering title without a licence is prohibited. [Here]

This site is specifically set up to provide you with all the basic information you need to know about working in Germany as an Ingenieur. The site includes information about immigrating to Germany, practising engineering in Germany, and working in engineering in Germany. It also contains important tips and resources.