Beamter/Beamtin im Eichwesen (gehobener technischer Dienst)

Learning locations are: German Academy for Metrology: classrooms (classroom-based instruction); Eichdirektionen (Eich Offices) or Eichämter (Eich Authorities): offices, field service (e.g., during the execution of calibrations).

Amendments to the Federal Civil Service Ordinance came into force on March 17, 2026. They open up demand-oriented special access routes to counteract the shortage of skilled workers. A key focus of the reform is, among other things, the equalisation of vocational and academic education. For example, access for persons with vocational further training qualifications such as Bachelor Professional or Master Professional is now also possible in the higher technical administrative service and in the higher scientific service.

Occupation type: Civil servant training; differing career designations in the individual Bundesländer (federal states). Type of training: Preparatory service, regulated by ordinances of the Bundesländer (federal states). Duration of preparatory service: Usually 1-1.5 years. Minimum requirement for admission to preparatory service: Varies depending on the Bundesland (federal state) (e.g., a completed Bachelor's degree). Learning locations: German Academy for Metrology, Eichdirektionen (Eich Offices) or Eichämter (Eich Authorities). Tasks and activities: Civil servants in the higher-level metrology technical service inspect, evaluate, and calibrate measuring devices and supervise state-recognised testing centres, e.g., for gas, water, heat, and electricity meters. In conformity assessment, they examine, for example, new measuring devices and assess whether specified requirements for approval are met. They also certify manufacturers' quality assurance systems. They provide information about the calibration obligation and the validity period of calibrations, penalise administrative offences, and develop themselves.

Usually 1 to 1.5 years.

Structure of a preparatory service in the higher-level metrology technical service: 1st section at Eichdirektionen (Eich Offices) and Eichämter (Eich Authorities): 1 month. 2nd section at Eichdirektionen (Eich Offices) and Eichämter (Eich Authorities): 1 month. 3rd section at Eichdirektionen (Eich Offices) and Eichämter (Eich Authorities): 7-8 months. 4th section in field service: 1-2 months. 5th section in field service: 1 month. 6th section at the German Academy for Metrology: 6 months. Career examination. Total training duration: 1.5 years.

No course fees are charged. Travel costs or costs for learning materials may arise. Costs for accommodation at the training location may also be incurred.

Theoretical and practical training contents include: Structure of the metrology administration, national and European legal bases of metrology, public law, administrative law, public service law, regulatory law, administrative offenses law, budget and accounting, measuring instruments, measurement technology, calibration law, metrological supervision, and supervision of filling quantities of pre-packaged goods.

One should be prepared for the following conditions and requirements: During the theoretical training phases, lectures are attended, for example, by participating in courses at the German Academy for Metrology. Independent work includes preparing and reviewing lectures, researching in libraries, and preparing performance records. Organization requires adhering to given deadlines for presentations and homework. During the practical training phases, under guidance, for example, tests and calibrations of measuring instruments are carried out in the field. Key qualifications such as problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills are developed.

The exemplary monthly basic allowance (gross) for a civil servant candidate is approximately 1,549 Euros. This information is sourced from the state salary laws (Landesbesoldungsgesetze). In addition to the basic allowance, the candidate's remuneration includes capital-forming benefits, possibly also family allowances, and other supplements, remunerations, and bonuses.

An Ausbildung (vocational training) is possible with degrees in fields such as Electrical Engineering (undergraduate) and Mechanical Engineering (undergraduate).

In-depth knowledge in the following areas is a good prerequisite for a successful preparatory service: Management/Organization, for example, to efficiently solve problems in administrative organization. Law, for example, to check compliance with legal provisions or to decide on the approval of calibration applications.

The following alternatives are available for the profession of civil servant in the higher technical metrology service (Beamter/Beamtin im gehobenen eichtechnischen Dienst): Law and Administration sector, Civil servant in railway services (higher technical service), Civil servant in fire brigade technical service (higher service), Civil servant in higher civil engineering technical service, Civil servant in industrial inspection administration (higher technical service), Civil servant in the federal defense administration (higher technical service). The commonality is performing auditing and controlling tasks.

The Ausbildung (vocational training) in the higher technical metrology service takes place as a preparatory service and usually lasts 1 to 1.5 years. It is regulated by the Bundesland (federal state) ordinances and concludes with a career examination. Typically, at least a Bachelor's Studium (university degree) is required.

This career path is established in the following Bundesländer (federal states), but specific graduation/professional titles are not available: Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Brandenburg, Hessen, Niedersachsen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Schleswig-Holstein. Example career titles include: Civil Servant - Metrology Administration (higher technical service), Civil Servant - Metrology Technical Service (higher service), Civil Servant - Metrology Technical Service (career group 2, first entry level), Civil Servant - Metrology Technical Service (third qualification level), Civil Servant - Metrology Technical Service (third entry level). Career titles are examples and may vary depending on the Bundesland (federal state). Note: The responsible authorities in the individual Bundesländer (federal states) determine whether the career path is offered as an Ausbildung (vocational training).

After their Ausbildung (vocational training), civil servants in the higher technical metrology service primarily work in metrology directorates and metrology offices. To keep their professional knowledge up-to-date, adaptation training can be undertaken. The range of topics extends from measurement technology to administrative law. With suitable qualifications, civil servants in the higher technical metrology service have the opportunity to move to the next higher career path after a successful promotion procedure. Furthermore, a further Studium (university study) can also be considered; for example, obtaining a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering is a relevant option.

The preparatory service for civil servant careers is regulated by the Bundesländer (federal states) in their own ordinances. The respective provisions may differ. The examinations are conducted on the basis of the examination regulations for the German Academy for Metrology (DAM) issued by the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs and Media. Ordinance of the Ministry of Economic Affairs on the Ausbildung (vocational training) and examination for the intermediate and higher technical metrology service (Ausbildungs- und Prüfungsordnung für den eichtechnischen Dienst - APrO Eich) of 13.04.2016 (BW.GBl. S. 269), last amended by Article 1 of the Ordinance of 07.08.2024 (BW.GBl. Nr. 73). Examination regulations for the German Academy for Metrology (DAM) at the Bavarian State Office for Measurement and Weight for the intermediate and higher technical metrology service (Prüfungsordnung eichtechnischer Dienst - POEich) of 15.09.2005 (Bay.GVBl. S. 498), amended by § 1 of the Ordinance of 13.08.2021 (Bay.GVBl. S. 547).

Typically, a successfully completed Bachelor's Studium (university degree) or an equivalent recognized university degree in a technical field, such as mechanical engineering or electrical engineering, is required. Additionally, depending on the Bundesland (federal state), possession of a Class B driving license may be required.