Mountain sports guide professions – recognition of vocational qualifications See explanation of the designation of:

The district administrative authority must, on application, recognise a training course successfully completed in an EU or EEA country, Switzerland or a country recognised as equivalent on the basis of treaties forming part of the European integration process or an activity (a) which may be practised in these countries even without a specialised qualification and has been practised for at least a year (or, if on a part-time basis, for an appropriately longer period) in the ten years prior to the filing of the application, and (b) for which a training course corresponding to at least the level of qualification defined in Article 11(a) of Directive 2005/36/EC has been successfully completed, such recognition being granted in full or, if the training courses differ significantly, subject to the proviso that the applicant must complete an adaptation course or pass a supplementary mountain and ski guide test within 4 years.

Alternatively, application for recognition of the qualification to practise the profession of a mountain and ski guide through a European Professional Card (EPC) may be made to the applicant’s Member State of origin. The EPC certifies that the applicant possesses the professional competence to practise the profession of a mountain guide in another country.

The training courses must: (a) be a prerequisite for practising the profession in an EU or EEA country, Switzerland or another country recognised as equivalent on the basis of treaties forming part of the European integration process, (b) be regulated within the meaning of Article 3(1)(e) of Directive 2005/36/EC, or (c) constitute training of an equivalent level within the meaning of Article 12 of Directive 2005/36/EC.

There are no specific deadlines. If recognition is granted conditionally, with the proviso of subsequent successful completion of an adaptation course or supplementary examination, the applicant must fulfil that requirement within 4 years of the granting of recognition, failing which the recognition is declared to have lapsed.

Submission to the district administrative authority with local jurisdiction of a written application, including the required evidence, for recognition of a specialised qualification as training/an examination under the Mountain Sports Guides (Tyrol) Act An application form can be downloaded from https://www.tirol.gv.at/sport/bergsport/bergsportfuehrer/. Following receipt of the full documentation and examination of the specialised qualification, the latter is fully recognised or, if the training courses differ significantly in content, is recognised conditionally, subject to the proviso that the applicant must pass a supplementary mountain and ski guide test or choose either to attend an adaptation course or take a supplementary test for alpine hiking guides, canyoning guides or climbing instructors within a maximum of 4 years of filing their application.

Official photo ID, evidence of registered address if outside Austria, training record and examination certificates issued by the competent authorities or agencies of the country in question, certifications of periods of professional practice and, where appropriate, further evidence of the content and duration of successfully completed training as a mountain sports guide and/or of having passed a mountain sports guide’s examination.

Fees are determined by the Fees and Duties Act (Gebührengesetz) 1957, while provincial administrative charges are governed by the Tyrolean Provincial Administrative Charges Ordinance (Landes-Verwaltungsabgabenverordnung) 2007.

• The District Authority

https://www.tirol.gv.at/sport/bergsport/bergsportfuehrerwesen/

The application does not have to be signed electronically – using a mobile phone signature (Handy-Signatur) or e-ID – or by hand. 

This procedure applies to the following professions: mountain and ski guide, alpine hiking guide, canyoning guide and climbing instructor.

EU Vocational Matters (Tyrol) Act (Tiroler EU-Berufsangelegenheiten-Gesetz), Mountain Sports Guides (Tyrol) Act (Tiroler Bergsportführergesetz)

Appeals against decisions of the district administrative authorities may be lodged before the Regional Administrative Court. The appeal must specify the contested decision and the authority that issued it. It must contain a request and set out the grounds on which the allegation of illegality is based. The appeal must be filed in writing to the district administrative authority that issued the decision within 4 weeks of the date of notification of the decision and must contain information that makes it possible to assess its timeliness. The district administrative authority may issue a preliminary appeal decision. The appeal may be filed electronically: Appeal in administrative proceedings.

If the district administrative authority fails to make a decision within 6 months, you have the option of filing a complaint with the Regional Administrative Court regarding the delay. It must be communicated to the defaulting district administrative authority. The complaint must specify that authority, set out a specific request and demonstrate that the authority’s time limit for making a decision has expired.

National Advice Centre for Vocational Qualifications (Nationales Beratungszentrum für Berufsqualifikationen)

Federal Minister of Labour and Economy (Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Wirtschaft)

Mag. Irene Linke

Stubenring 1, 1010 Wien

Phone: +43 1 71100-805446

E-Mail: irene.linke@oesterreich.gv.at