New advanced training qualification introduced for specialists in insolvency law

The Federal Ministry of Education, Family, Seniors, Women and Youth has introduced a new recognized advanced training qualification for specialists in insolvency law via a regulation dated August 24, 2026. The regulation was promulgated on September 2, 2026, in the Federal Law Gazette Part I No. 245 and enters into force on the day following its promulgation. Graduates may henceforth use the title “Certified Professional Specialist in Insolvency Law” (male: Geprüfter Berufsspezialist im Insolvenzrecht; female: Geprüfte Berufsspezialistin im Insolvenzrecht).

The regulation bears the short title Certified Professional Specialist in Insolvency Law Advanced Training Examination Regulation (BSInsoFPrV) and is based on §§ 53, 53a, and 53b of the Vocational Training Act. It was issued in agreement with the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection and after consultation with the Main Committee of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training. The document is signed by Federal Minister Karin Prien.

Objective and Admission

The qualification certifies a supplement to professional competence aimed at professional advancement at the first level of higher-qualifying vocational education. A total learning volume of 400 hours is generally provided for the acquisition of the qualification. The examination is conducted by the bodies responsible under the Vocational Training Act.

Admission to the examination is granted to those who can prove one of the following requirements:

• completed training as a legal assistant, legal and notary assistant, patent attorney assistant, or notary assistant,
• completed training in another recognized profession with a duration of three years plus at least one year of professional practice,
• a two-year training plus at least two years of professional practice,
• at least 60 credits according to the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) in a related field of study plus two years of professional practice,
• at least four years of professional practice.

Five Examination Areas

The examination comprises five examination areas that reflect the central tasks of insolvency administration:

• Office Organization and Office Administration – law firm organization, electronic legal communication, data protection, and anti-money laundering prevention,
• Procedural Basics and Types of Proceedings – classification of procedural stages, registration of claims, and support for debtors and creditors,
• Reporting, Accounting, and Remuneration – reporting, remuneration applications, as well as deadline and appointment management,
• Asset Generation and Insolvency Law Structuring – realization acts, avoidance scenarios, and rights of separation and priority,
• Insolvency Schedule – examination and entry of claims as well as preparation of legal remedies.

Process and Passing

The examination is divided into a written and an oral examination. The written examination consists of four examination components to be completed under supervision, each with a processing time of 120 minutes; the oral examination is a 30-minute case-related technical discussion on the area of procedural foundations and types of proceedings. The examination is passed if at least 50 points are achieved in each examination component; all five components contribute 20 percent each to the overall grade.

Failed examination components may be repeated twice within three years. The entire examination process must be completed within two years. Those who pass will receive two certificates from the responsible authority – one without and one with examination results.

The new regulation creates, for the first time, a nationwide recognized, standardized qualification path for specialist employees who support insolvency administrators. For employees in law firms and insolvency administrations, the degree thus opens up a clearly defined career advancement perspective in a growing legal field.

Source: Federal Law Gazette Part I, No. 245 of September 2, 2026, pp. 1–9 (official reference: BGBl. 2026 I No. 245).