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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?

Your Path to the Appropriate Examination 

Standardablauf für alle Prüfungen

  1. Prüfungstyp ermitteln (je nach Tätigkeit / Rechtslage)
  2. Zuständige IHK finden – an Wohn- oder Unternehmenssitz
  3. Prüfungstermin und Anmeldung über die IHK; Prüfung besteht typischerweise aus schriftlichem und gegebenenfalls praktischem Teil
  4. Vorbereitung mithilfe von Rahmenplänen, Prüfungsordnungen, Fragenkatalogen — gegebenenfalls begleitende Kurse
  5. Prüfung ablegen – Nachweis IHK-Sach- oder Fachkundenachweis erhalten; erforderlich gegebenenfalls für Gewerbeerlaubnis oder Registrierung

Downloads – Frameworks, Question Catalogues, etc.

Real Estate Loan Brokerage:


Private Security Industry:


Financial Brokerage:


Certified WEG Management:

Insurance Brokers:

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:

Relevant in topic:
Serviceportal
Key areas:
  • Sach- und Fachkundeprüfungen

Released 22.05.2026

Contact

Porträtfoto Mona Moraht

Dr. Mona Moraht

Director Commercial Law | Attorney at Law (In-House Lawyer)

E-mail
moraht.mona@dihk.de
Telephone
+49 30 20308 2709
Höbel, Andreas_quad

Andrea Höbel

Director Transport Law, Professional Examinations, Transport of Dangerous Goods

E-mail
hoebel.andrea@dihk.de
Telephone
+49 30 20308 2112