§ 34a Sachkundeprüfung (German security exam)

How the exam works

• Written part82 questions in 120 minutes, on a computer at the IHK
• Oral partAbout 15 minutes, only after passing the written part
• FeeSet by each IHK, for example €122 (Aachen), €188 (Hannover) or €250 (Heilbronn-Franken)

• Up to 120 points; you pass with 60 points (50%)
• Some questions have one correct answer, some two; since 1 July 2025 each correct mark scores a point
• The exam is in German

Who needs it

The law requires it from business owners and managers, and from staff who patrol public spaces, protect shops against shoplifting, control entry at nightclubs, or guard refugee accommodation or large events in a leading role. Other security staff only need the shorter IHK instruction (Unterrichtung).

The subject areas

• Public safety and order, and trade law
• Data protection
• Civil Code: self-defence, necessity, self-help, possession and property
• Criminal law and procedure, and weapons
• Accident prevention rules for security services
• Dealing with people: communication, de-escalation, conflicts
• Basics of security technology

Oral part and retakes

The oral part focuses on law and dealing with people. You must pass both parts, and you may retake the exam.

Registering

You register yourself with an IHK that offers the exam, usually online. The written exam dates are the same across Germany.

How to prepare

FreeExamPath writes its own practice questions from the law texts. They are not IHK exam questions, and FreeExamPath is not affiliated with any IHK or the DIHK. Unlike the real exam, each of our questions has exactly one correct answer.

Official information

• Gewerbeordnung § 34a
• Bewachungsverordnung (BewachV)
• IHK Hanau: Sachkundeprüfung Bewachungsgewerbe

Questions about the § 34a exam