Recognition Individual Professional Competence See explanation of the designation of:

If you want to carry on a regulated trade or a sub-trade, you have to furnish evidence of professional competence. Evidence of professional competence proves that the person registering the business has the professional and commercial knowledge as well as the abilities and experience necessary to carry on the respective trade independently.

If no evidence of professional competence may be furnished, the authority may recognise professional competence individually. To this end, the applicant has to prove in a different way that she/he has the necessary knowledge, abilities and experience.

It is also possible to obtain individual authorisation to pursue a sub-activity if evidence of professional competence can be furnished only for a sub-activity of the respective trade. The activities of a carpenter may, for example, be limited to mounting.

Recognition of individual professional competence for a full scope of activities is not possible with regard to some specific trades (e.g. master builder or master wood builder).

In general, these regulations also apply to business owners from EU-countries in Austria.

Knowledge, abilities and experience required for the regulated trade or sub-trade the applicant intends to carry on.

No specific deadlines have to be met.

You may file the application simultaneously with or before trade registration.

Registration may be made – without meeting specific formal requirements or by using a form – personally, in writing or also electronically.

Informal applications have to include the following information:

• Precise title of the trade /sub-activity of the trade
• Details on the training, type and scope of relevant professional and commercial activities
• If the trade is registered at the same time: address of the location where the trade is carried on

If required, the authority may request an expert opinion of the competent Regional Chamber of Trade and Industry (→WKO)German text.

The trade authority then recognises the existence of the individual professional competence in full or to a limited extent.

The trade may not be carried on before the final administrative decision is issued with legally binding effect and before trade registration.

If the requirements for carrying on a trade have not been met, you will receive an administrative decision rejecting your application.

Persons who are registered in the GISA do not have to submit identification documents. If the authority can retrieve the necessary data from registers, the following documents do not have to be submitted: birth certificate and certificate of citizenship or passport, residence registration, registration certificates of Commercial Register or Central Register of Associations.

• Birth certificate and certificate of citizenship (→ oesterreich.gv.at) or passport (→ oesterreich.gv.at)
• Residence registration
• If applicable, documentary proof of academic degrees
• Documents proving individual professional competence:
  • School certificates (higher academic schools, vocational schools)
  • Apprenticeship certifications
  • Diploma certificate
  • Certificates of courses and seminars
• If you have been active as an employee in the respective trade: additionally
  • Contribution periods with the Österreichischen Gesundheitskasse
  • Employers’ reference
  • Evidence concerning the type and scope of the professional and commercial activities pursued in the enterprise
• If you have already been self-employed: additionally
  • Registration certificate of the GISA
  • If applicable, registration certificate of Commercial Register (not older than six months)
• In the event of change of name: additionally
  • Marriage certificate or certificate of change of name

Additional documents may be required in the event of simultaneous trade registration.

There are no fees and charges payable.

The trade authority having territorial competence for the trade premises:

• The District AuthorityGerman text [Bezirkshauptmannschaft]
• In cities with their own municipal law [Statutarstädte]: the Municipal AdministrationGerman text [Magistrat]
• In Vienna:
  • the → Municipal Department 63German text

If the application for recognition of individual professional competence is not filed simultaneously with trade registration, the trade authority is responsible within whose territorial competence the applicant has his/her residence.

Online procedure:

• Evidence of professional competence (individual) – application for recognitionGerman text

Not applicable

Section 19 of the Gewerbeordnung 1994 (GewO 1994)