Meisterin

Meisterin is the feminine form of Meister in the German language, used to designate a female master craftsworker. It refers to someone who has earned the Meisterbrief, the master craftsman certificate, and is recognized as a qualified leader within a skilled trade. The term is used across many crafts in German-speaking countries, including carpentry, metalwork, baking, hairdressing, plumbing, and electrical work.

As a Meisterin, a person is typically authorized to run an independent workshop, supervise and train staff, and ensure compliance with professional standards. In Germany and other German-speaking regions, the Meistertitel is connected to professional bodies such as the Handwerkskammer (Chamber of Skilled Crafts) or its equivalents, and the title is often a prerequisite for practicing independently in regulated trades and for training apprentices.

The path to becoming a Meisterin usually begins with an apprenticeship and journeyman experience. Candidates then attend a Meisterschule (master craftsman school) and must pass the Meisterprüfung (master craftsman examination). The exam covers advanced craft skills, design and business management, and includes a practical assessment. Successful candidates receive the Meisterbrief and the status of Meisterin, authorizing them to operate a craft business and to train apprentices.

Legally and culturally, the Meistertitel has historically established standards and quality within craft guilds. In Germany, it is a protected qualification under the Crafts Code, while Austria and Switzerland maintain similar systems that emphasize professional competence and apprenticeship. In contemporary usage, Meisterin signals expertise and leadership in a trade and may appear in business names and professional contexts.