State exams and Referendariat (preparatory legal service) shape the path from university to work for trainee lawyers, teacher trainees and medical students in Germany. This overview explains the main rules, deadlines and reforms and shows where the federal states set their own rules. The linked guides cover single exams in more detail.
Short answer: After the First State Examination, trainee lawyers in Germany complete the Referendariat, a preparatory service. Under § 5b of the German Judges Act (Deutsches Richtergesetz) it lasts two years and includes four compulsory placements and elective placements. The federal states set exam procedures, trainee pay and health cost subsidies (Beihilfe). Last updated: November 2026.
Key points in brief
- Under federal law the preparatory service for fully qualified lawyers lasts two years.
- The placement with a lawyer lasts at least nine months, every other compulsory placement at least three months.
- Part-time training is possible on application, for example when you care for a child under 18. The service then takes two and a half years, with a workload reduced by one fifth.
- Much of the detail sits in state law, so exam formats, fees and trainee pay differ between federal states.
- Digital exams are being introduced in several states. The responsible examination office confirms the start date.
- If you did not pass, check the retake and free attempt deadlines straight away.
Which rules apply nationwide and which are set by the states?
The framework for the preparatory service is set by the German Judges Act. It defines, for example, the number of compulsory placements and their minimum length. The federal states fill in this framework with their own law on trainee pay, health cost subsidies and exam procedure.
| Topic | Responsible level | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Length and compulsory placements | Federal law (§ 5b paras. 1 to 4 DRiG) | German Judges Act |
| Part-time preparatory service | Federal framework (§ 5b para. 6 DRiG), state rules for details | State law and training office |
| Trainee pay | Federal state | State pay law and training office |
| Health cost subsidies (Beihilfe) | Federal state | State Beihilfe regulation |
| E-exam and exam procedure | Federal state | Exam regulations of the state |
How long is the preparatory service and which placements are there?
The preparatory service lasts two years under § 5b (1) DRiG. It takes place in four compulsory placements: with an ordinary civil court, with a public prosecutor or criminal court, with an administrative authority and with a lawyer. Elective placements complete the training.
Example (assumption): You start full time on 1 February 2027. Without an extension for compelling reasons under § 5b (4) DRiG, the service ends after two years, on 31 January 2029.
- Count two years from the start of the preparatory service and enter the end date in your calendar.
- Plan any move early, because the placement with a lawyer lasts at least nine months.
- Fix your elective placements only once the compulsory placements are set, since they may not fall below the minimum lengths.
When is part-time Referendariat possible?
Under § 5b (6) DRiG, part-time training must be granted on application if you actually care for a child under 18 or a relative in need of care. Part-time can also be granted on application for comparable special personal reasons. The regular service is then reduced by one fifth and lasts two and a half years. The state sets the details of the application. For trainee pay by state, see Referendariat: Anwärterbezüge nach Bundesland (in German).
What do the e-exam and digital tests change?
Digital exams are part of the reforms that several federal states are currently implementing. The guide Digital exam in the First State Examination: how it works (in German) explains how the e-exam works in the First State Examination. Which states introduce it is covered in Law exam (E-Examen) 2026: which federal states introduce the digital exam (in German). For the Second State Examination, Second State Examination digital: what Rhineland-Palatinate allows (in German) shows which digital formats are already permitted.
Which reforms affect teacher training and medicine?
In teacher training several states are changing study programmes and the preparatory service. An overview is given in Teacher training 2026: which reforms are running in the states (in German). In medicine, the reform of the medical licensing regulations (Approbationsordnung) is not yet complete. Whether and when changes apply is decided by the responsible regulation maker. New medical licensing regulations: what may change for the practical year (in German) sorts out what is being discussed for the practical year.
Which deadlines and attempts should you know?
Deadlines decide whether an attempt counts and how much time remains for a retake. The basic rules are set out in the exam regulations. The most important points at a glance:
| Situation | What it is about | Relevant guide |
|---|---|---|
| Free attempt | Whether an attempt counts as not taken | Free attempt in the State Examination (in German) |
| Withdrawal | Medical certificate, deadline and consequences | Withdrawal from the State Examination (in German) |
| Retake | Number of attempts | Repeating the State Examination (in German) |
| Compensation for disadvantage | Application and requirements | Compensation for disadvantage in the State Examination (in German) |
| Physikum | Rules and dates for a retake | Repeating the Physikum (in German) |
Frequently asked questions
Do the same rules apply in every federal state?
No. The framework is set by federal law, while the concrete rules are set by the states. Ask your examination office which version applies to your cohort.
Do I get paid during the Referendariat?
During the preparatory service you receive trainee pay from your state budget. The amount differs by federal state and changes with pay adjustments. Current figures are in the guide on trainee pay and with your training office.
Can I do the Referendariat part time?
Yes, under the conditions of § 5b (6) DRiG. The workload is then reduced by one fifth and the duration is two and a half years. The state sets the application deadlines.
What happens if I do not pass the First State Examination?
The rules on retakes and, where applicable, the free attempt then apply. How many attempts you have and which deadlines apply is set out in your exam regulations. First State Examination not passed: the next steps (in German) explains the options.
Does this also apply to teacher training and medicine?
The preparatory service in teacher training is governed by state law. In medicine the practical year follows the degree and different rules apply. The guides on teacher training and the Physikum show the differences.
What to do next
- Read the exam regulations of your federal state and note the deadlines for registration, withdrawal and retakes.
- Check whether part-time training, compensation for disadvantage or access to your exam paper apply to you, and apply early.
- Ask your training office which trainee pay and health cost subsidies apply to you.
- Follow the reforms in your state before you commit to an exam date.
Related guides
All guides in this topic group, sorted by subtopic:
Exam process and registration
- Law exam (E-Examen) 2026: which federal states introduce the digital exam (in German)
- Digital exam in the First State Examination: how it works (in German)
- Second State Examination digital: what Rhineland-Palatinate allows (in German)
- Viewing your State Examination paper: how to apply (in German)
- Oral exam in the State Examination: process and preparation (in German)
- Admission to the State Examination: deadlines, documents and registration (in German)
- State Examination dates 2027: registration deadlines at a glance (in German)
- Study plan for the State Examination (in German)
- Choosing a specialisation area in law studies (in German)
- Exam grade calculation: how the State Examination score is built (in German)
- State Examination fees: what the exam and a retake cost (in German)
Deadlines, retakes and withdrawal
- Free attempt in the State Examination: what counts and which deadlines apply (in German)
- Withdrawal from the State Examination: medical certificate, deadline and consequences (in German)
- Repeating the State Examination: how many attempts you have (in German)
- Repeating the Physikum: rules, deadlines and dates (in German)
- Compensation for disadvantage in the State Examination: application and requirements (in German)
- First State Examination not passed: the next steps (in German)
Referendariat and pay
- Referendariat pay in 2027: when trainee salaries rise (in German)
- Applying for the Referendariat 2027: deadlines and documents (in German)
Reforms in law, teacher training and medicine
- Teacher training 2026: which reforms are running in the states (in German)
- Legal training reform: what the 2026 Juristentag demands (in German)
- New medical licensing regulations: what may change for the practical year (in German)
- Psychotherapy training pay (PiA): what the reform plans (in German)
- Teacher training with a State Examination: why teacher associations want it back (in German)
Further guides
Sources: German Judges Act (Deutsches Richtergesetz), § 5b (in German), last updated November 2026.
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
