• Reason for exemption
  for an unlimited exemption permit: Exceptionally, you cannot be expected to take the master craftsman's examination. The following are possible reasons for exemption:
  • advanced age (from about 47 years)
  • Restriction to a specialised activity
  • health and physical handicaps
  • Presence of other examinations
  for a temporary exemption permit:
  • Unemployment due to outsourcing
  • Opportunity to take over a business
  • long waiting times for master craftsman examinations
• Proof of qualification
  • knowledge and skills similar to those of a master craftsman in the (sub-)craft in question as well as
  • sufficient commercial and general legal knowledge

Note: If no sufficient proof of qualification is possible, you can prove the required knowledge and skills in an informal expert knowledge examination:

• The examiner must be commissioned by the competent Chamber of Skilled Crafts.
• You must bear the costs of the examination yourself.

You must make up for the master craftsman's examination if you have a temporary exemption permit. As a rule, you have a maximum of two years to do so. The time limit depends on the individual case and the circumstances. You must provide proof of registration for all parts of the master craftsperson preparation and admission to the master craftsperson examination.

Note: Your overall situation is taken into account. Lack of time or money and professional overload are not exceptional reasons.