Geprüfter Barmeister/Geprüfte Barmeisterin

Preparatory courses for the examination take place, for example, at master schools (Meisterschulen) and other educational institutions. Learning locations are usually training rooms and bar areas.

Occupation type: Advanced training occupation (Meister/in). Type of advanced training: Master examination (Meisterprüfung) according to legal regulations of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Participation in preparatory courses is not required. Duration of advanced training: Varies depending on the educational offer and class time (full-time/part-time). Tasks and activities: Bar masters plan work processes, instruct skilled workers, and, if necessary, manage the entire operation. They also train apprentices (Auszubildende). They negotiate with suppliers, calculate offers, and handle correspondence. They also ensure the quality of beverages and ingredients. They also work hands-on, for example, mixing drinks according to international guidelines and recipes and advising guests. Work areas and locations: Bar masters are employed in bars of hotels, restaurants, and discotheques, in venues and event locations with bar operations. Workplaces: Bar masters usually work behind the bar.

Varies depending on the educational offer and class time (full-time/part-time).

Distribution of hours (example): Business-related qualifications: approx. 230 teaching hours. Action-specific qualifications: approx. 310 teaching hours. Learning and working methodology: approx. 10 teaching hours. Total hours: approx. 550 teaching hours.

Course fees are incurred for attending preparatory courses, and examination fees for the examination itself. Further costs may arise for work materials, travel to the training location, or external accommodation. Funding opportunities: Preparatory courses for the master examination can be financially supported according to the Advanced Training Assistance Act (Aufstiegsfortbildungsförderungsgesetz). Further information: Aufstiegs-BAföG - Advancement with Funding. Promotion of particularly talented young skilled workers: Foundation for the Promotion of Talented Vocational Education (Stiftung Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung (SBB)) - Advanced Training Scholarship (Weiterbildungsstipendium).

Action-specific qualifications: Advising and serving guests, e.g.: Preparing bar and event rooms, preparing, providing, and serving drinks, developing concepts for beverage and food offerings. Leading and developing employees, e.g.: Introducing employees to their area of responsibility, issuing work orders and instructions, and monitoring their proper execution. Planning, implementing, and controlling processes, e.g.: Creating work and time schedules, recording and calculating costs, setting prices, preparing invoices. Procuring and maintaining products, e.g.: Developing sources of supply, comparing offers, storing goods properly. Business-related qualifications: National and business economics, e.g.: Business functions and their interaction, company mergers. Accounting, e.g.: Financial accounting, planning accounting. Law and taxes: Legal contexts, tax law provisions. Business management, e.g.: Business organization, personnel.

In-depth knowledge in the following areas is a good prerequisite for successfully passing this advanced training examination: Mathematics, for example, to calculate costs and create schedules. Business/Law, for example, to manage a business securely in terms of tax law. Employee leadership and guidance, for example, to apply leadership instruments such as target agreements and feedback.

The advanced training consists of theoretical and practical lessons. Depending on the education provider, one should be prepared for the following conditions: For full-time instruction, lessons are full-day on at least four weekdays. For part-time instruction, it is usually career-accompanying training on weekends or in the evenings. The learning format is generally in-person events: lessons in a classroom setting at the educational institution (possibly not in the place of residence).

Participation in preparatory courses is not remunerated.

The following advanced training alternatives are available for the profession of Barmeister/in: Management and Business Administration Area: State-certified Business Administrator (Staatlich geprüfter Betriebsleiter/in) specializing in Hotel and Restaurants/Bachelor Professional in Household Management, Business Administrator (Fachschule) for Catering/Food Management/Bachelor Professional in Business, Business Administrator (Fachschule) for Hotel and Restaurant Industry/Bachelor Professional in Business, Business Administrator (Fachschule) for Tourism/Bachelor Professional in Business. Commonality: Taking on specialist and management tasks in the hotel and restaurant industry or in tourism. Hotel and Restaurant Industry Area: State-certified Gastronome (Staatlich geprüfter Gastronom/in)/Bachelor Professional in Business, Certified Hotel Master (Geprüfter Hotelmeister/in), Certified Restaurant Master (Geprüfter Restaurantmeister/in), Specialist in Hospitality (Fachwirt im Gastgewerbe/in). Commonality: Specialist and management tasks.

In 1983, the first legal provisions for the advanced training examination for Certified Barmeister/in came into force. In 2020, the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) and the Crafts Code (HWO) were amended. Among other things, this introduced the advanced training qualifications 'Geprüfte/r Berufsspezialist/in' (Certified Professional Specialist), 'Bachelor Professional', and 'Master Professional' to emphasize the equivalence of vocational and academic education. The use of these professional titles depends on the enactment of corresponding new advanced training regulations.

Qualification Title: Certified Barmeister/in (Geprüfter Barmeister/Geprüfte Barmeisterin).

Becoming a Bar Master (Geprüfter Barmeister/Geprüfte Barmeisterin) is a professional advanced training. The master examination is regulated by legal provisions of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Admission requirements and degree titles may vary depending on the responsible chamber. It is not mandatory to attend a course to be admitted to the examination.

After this advanced training, bar masters work in hospitality establishments, especially in hotel bars, restaurants, and discotheques. They can keep their expertise up-to-date, bring it to the latest standard, and expand it through adaptive advanced training. The range of topics extends from bar service to management in the hotel and catering industry. Building on existing qualifications, advanced training programs designed specifically for graduates can expand and complement their competence profile. It is logical to pursue advanced training as a business administrator (Betriebswirt/in) in the hotel and catering industry. With their advanced training degree, masters can also gain access to university studies (Studium) without a general higher education entrance qualification and, for example, acquire a Bachelor's degree in Hotel Management. Taking the step into self-employment is also possible.

For the examination, the responsible Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) issue examination regulations. An example is the special legal provisions for the advanced training examination for 'Geprüfter Barmeister/Geprüfte Barmeisterin' from 08.12.2010 (Chamber of Industry and Commerce Rhein-Neckar). An overview of the responsible Chambers of Industry and Commerce can be found in 'Barmeister/Barmeisterin, Regulations of the responsible bodies for professional advanced training'. The Instructor Aptitude Ordinance (Ausbilder-Eignungsverordnung) from 21.01.2009 and the framework plan for the training of instructors, a recommendation of the Main Committee of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung) from 25.06.2009 (amended version from 20.06.2023), are also relevant. Generally for advanced training and activity, the Act on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases in Humans (Infektionsschutzgesetz - IfSG), last amended by Article 3 Para. 1 of the Act from 04.03.2026, applies.

Typically, a completed vocational training (Ausbildung) as a 'Geprüfter Barmixer/Geprüfte Barmixerin' and corresponding professional experience are prerequisites for admission to the master examination (Meisterprüfung). Handling food requires instruction and a certificate from the health department (Gesundheitsamt).