Information on the IHK examination
short & sweet
Requirements
You do not have to meet any specific requirements to register for the examination. However, you should be able to speak and write German. You must be able to understand the multiple-choice test correctly and answer the questions correctly. You are also expected to be able to express yourself clearly in German in the oral examination.
Topics & Contents
The examination covers 9 different subject areas, which are tested in a written and oral examination:
Public safety law, trade law (GewO/BewachV), data protection law (BDSG), civil law (BGB), criminal law / criminal procedure law (StGB), weapons law (WaffG), accident prevention regulations (BGV C7), handling people, safety technology
Registration
In order to take part in an expert examination according to § 34a GewO, you must register in good time beforehand. Registration takes place where the examination is held, namely at a Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). As a rule, registration must be made in writing, but some chambers now offer the option of registering for the examination directly online.
Examination venues
You can only take the exam at a Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). The IHK is represented in all major conurbations in Germany. However, not all chambers offer the expert knowledge examination according to §34a GewO!
Dates
Most chambers of industry and commerce regularly offer the examinations for expert knowledge according to § 34a of the Trade Regulation Act. It is customary for the examinations to take place nationwide on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Attention:
Not all chambers offer the examination. In some cases, the examinations take place irregularly or on other dates.
Procedure
The examination is divided into a written and an oral part. First, you will take the written test. Here you have to answer 72 questions on all topics by ticking them off. You have 120 minutes to do this. If you have correctly solved at least 50% of the tasks in the written part, the oral examination follows. You will be asked questions in an interview in front of several examiners.
Evaluation
You have passed the examination if you achieve at least 50% of the points in each case. If you score less than 50% in the first part of the examination, i.e. the written test, you will not be admitted to the oral examination and you will be deemed to have failed the examination.
Repetition
The examination parts can be repeated, in which case (pro rata) examination fees will be due again. If you have already failed the written part of the initial examination, you must take the overall examination again. If you failed the oral examination, you only have to take this part of the examination again.
Certificate / Examination certificate
You will find out whether you have passed or not directly after your examination. You will only receive the certificate confirming that you have successfully passed the examination by post after the day of the examination. It may take several days for the Chamber of Industry and Commerce to issue the corresponding certificate (“Sachkundenachweis”) and send it to you.
The most important contents from the Trade, Commerce and Industry Regulation Act (GewO) and the Guarding Ordinance (BewachV) relevant for the expert knowledge examination are summarised in wording on the following page.
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