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Specialist and General Knowledge Examinations – Your Path to the IHK Examination
In many industries, a specialist or general knowledge examination is a prerequisite for practising – for example, in the private security industry, freight transport business, or financial brokerage. The IHKs administer these exams, and the DIHK coordinates uniform national standards, frameworks, and question catalogues. On this page, you will find an overview of the most important specialist and general knowledge examinations as well as the path to your respective IHK.
On this page, you will find important information about specialist and general knowledge examinations. Get an overview of requirements, procedures, and relevant exam topics, as well as links to helpful material and contacts.
Specialist and general knowledge examinations ensure that individuals involved in specific, highly regulated activities possess the necessary knowledge and skills. They serve to protect consumers, ensure public safety, and uphold the quality of services provided.
General knowledge examination: Certifies fundamental knowledge in a specific legal and technical field, such as in the private security industry (§ 34a GewO) or with financial brokers (§ 34f GewO).
Specialist knowledge examination: Demonstrates advanced understanding, for instance for entrepreneurs in the commercial freight transport or passenger transport sectors.
The IHKs organise these examinations locally. Together with the German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), national frameworks, sample regulations, and question banks are developed to ensure consistency across Germany.
In welchen Bereichen gibt es IHK-Sach- und Fachkundeprüfungen?
Those who commercially safeguard the lives or property of others often require a competence examination in the security industry pursuant to § 34a GewO – for example, when conducting:
specific activities in public spaces (e.g. nightclubs, entry checks),
security at refugee accommodations or similar facilities,
security for major events.
The examination covers, among other things, legal foundations (e.g. commercial, criminal, and weapons law), interaction with people, and de-escalation strategies. The contents are described in a nationwide coordinated framework plan.
For the commercial brokerage of specific financial products, a certificate of competence is legally required. This includes, in particular:
Financial investment brokers (§ 34f, § 34h GewO) Certificate of competence for the brokerage and advisory of investment assets, capital investments, and closed-end funds.
Real estate loan brokers (§ 34i GewO, ImmVermV) Certificate of competence for brokering real estate loans to consumers.
Insurance brokers and advisors (§ 34d GewO) Certificate of competence for brokering insurance contracts and providing insurance advice.
The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) provides framework plans and materials for these areas that specify the requirements for professional competence. The exams are conducted by the IHKs.
Exam dates for "Certified Financial Investment Expert IHK"
2025
2026
2027
22 January 26 March 23 April 25 June 23 July 24 September 22 October 26 November
28 January 25 March 22 April 24 June 22 July 23 September 21 October 25 November
27 January 17 March 21 April 23 June 21 July 22 September 20 October 24 November
Exam dates for "Certified Expert in Real Estate Loan Brokerage IHK"
2025
2026
2027
14 January 18 March 15 April 17 June 15 July 16 September 14 October 18 November
20 January 17 March 14 April 16 June 14 July 15 September 13 October 17 November
19 January 9 March 13 April 15 June 13 July 14 September 12 October 16 November
Exam dates for "Certified Expert in Insurance Brokerage IHK"
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
9 January 13 March 10 April 12 June 10 July 11 September 9 October 13 November
15 January 12 March 9 April 11 June 09 July 10 September 8 October 12 November
14 January 4 March 8 April 10 June 8 July 9 September 7 October 11 November
11 January 2 March 6 April 8 June 6 July 7 September 5 October 9 November
11 January 1 March 12 April 7 June 5 July 6 September 11 October 8 November
These IHKs conduct the exam "Certified Expert in Insurance Brokerage IHK":
The Condominium Modernisation Act of 16 October 2020 introduced the term "certified administrator" for the first time: This designation may be used by those who have successfully passed the corresponding examination at the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK). Since 1 December 2023, condominium owners have been entitled to appoint such a qualified administrator.
Continuing Education Requirement
Since 1 August 2018, real estate agents and residential property managers have been required to undertake regular continuing education. Section 34c Paragraph 2a of the Gewerbeordnung (Trade Regulation Act) stipulates that 20 training hours must be completed within a three-year period.
Persons wishing to offer over-the-counter medicines in retail trade require expertise in accordance with Section 50 of the German Medicines Act (AMG). This expertise can be demonstrated by successfully completing the IHK qualification examination. The legislator has commissioned the German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (IHKs) nationwide to conduct these examinations.
What is examined?
The examination covers knowledge of:
Basics of medicines law,
Classification of over-the-counter medicines,
Active substance groups and areas of application,
Advisory obligations and product safety.
Who prepares the examination materials?
The examination materials are developed in cooperation between the IHKs and the DIHK by the DIHK-Bildungs-gGmbH. Further professional information, background materials and preparation tips are provided in German on the website of the Bildungs-gGmbH.
In other areas, specific expertise may also be required – for example, in expert opinions or certain technical activities. Separate procedures and proof are applicable in these cases.
Please contact your responsible IHK directly in case of doubt, to verify whether a qualification examination is required for your intended activity.
Your Path to the Appropriate Examination
Standard procedure for all examinations
Determine the type of examination required (depending on activity/legal situation)
Locate the responsible IHK (German Chamber of Commerce and Industry) at the place of residence or business
Examination date and registration via the IHK; typically the examination consists of a written and possibly practical part
Preparation with the help of framework plans, examination regulations, question catalogues — if necessary, accompanying courses
Take the examination and obtain the IHK certificate of competence; possibly required for trade license or registration
On the website of the Vocational Training Association of the German Insurance Industry (BWV), in cooperation with examining IHKs, you can find the following materials for the insurance broker general knowledge examination:
