If you look for a funded course in Germany, you constantly see the abbreviation AZAV: on websites, in brochures, in ads. What exactly it means is explained less often, and that is where some applications fail.
The chain behind AZAV
Approval works in several stages, and each stage checks the next.
| Stage | Who | What is checked |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | German Accreditation Body (DAkkS) | whether a certification body may act as such |
| 2 | Certification body | whether a provider is approved (provider approval) |
| 3 | Certification body | whether an individual course is approved (course approval) |
| 4 | Employment agency or job centre | whether you are funded |
Provider approval and course approval
The provider approval (section 178 SGB III) confirms that a provider is generally suitable: financially and professionally capable and working with quality management. The course approval (section 179 SGB III) checks every single course, including content, duration, teaching staff and costs.
This leads to the key sentence of this guide: an AZAV-certified provider can offer courses that are not funded. What counts is the approval of the course you choose.
The approval number
Every approved course has an approval number (Maßnahmenummer). It is the proof the employment agency or job centre wants to see. Bring it to the meeting, together with duration, start date and costs. How the meeting works is described in How to apply for an education voucher.
What AZAV does not tell you
The approval does not say whether a course suits you: whether the level is right, whether the format fits your daily life, whether the certificate is in demand in your region. There is no stamp for that. A checklist is in the guide Comparing funded courses.
Frequently asked questions
Is AZAV a quality seal?
Partly. The provider approval checks, among other things, the provider's capacity and quality management. But it is mainly the condition for public money to flow and says nothing about whether a course suits you.
Where do I find the approval number?
From the provider, in the course offer or on request. Many approved courses are also listed in the Federal Employment Agency's course search. We give you the number together with the offer.
How long is an approval valid?
Approvals are time-limited and reviewed regularly. Under section 177 SGB III the accreditation of certification bodies is limited to five years at most. Check that the approval is still valid when the course starts.
Sources
Legal texts and official bodies this article relies on. Links last checked on .
- Accreditation and Approval Ordinance for Employment Promotion (AZAV)Federal Ministry of Justice, gesetze-im-internet.de (German)
- Section 176 SGB III: Principle of approvalFederal Ministry of Justice, gesetze-im-internet.de (German)
- Section 177 SGB III: Certification bodyFederal Ministry of Justice, gesetze-im-internet.de (German)
- Section 179 SGB III: Course approvalFederal Ministry of Justice, gesetze-im-internet.de (German)
Note: This information is for general guidance and is not legal advice. Whether you are entitled to funding is decided by your employment agency or job centre in each individual case. As of 06.11.2026.