If you do not pass the Second State Exam, several questions arrive at once: how does your traineeship continue, do you still get pay, and how are you insured? The answers depend on your status and on state law. This guide sorts the cases and shows which offices you need to ask. Key terms: the second state exam (Zweites Staatsexamen), the traineeship (Vorbereitungsdienst) and statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV).
Short answer: If the exam is finally failed, the traineeship usually ends, and with it the probationary civil servant status or the training relationship. Whether you may retake the exam and whether pay continues during that time is set by state law. Your health insurance must then be arranged anew. Last updated: October 2026.
The most important points
- Whether you may retake the exam is set by the examination regulations of your state. In Bavaria, the second state exam in the additional subject (Erweiterungsfach) may be retaken once under section 32 (1) of the teacher training examination regulations II (Lehramtsprüfungsordnung II).
- Pay during a retake is regulated differently in each state. Some states reduce it. We do not give a figure, because we have no reliable source for all states.
- When the traineeship ends, the state benefit (Beihilfe) that came through your employer also ends. You then need new cover.
- Returning to statutory health insurance requires prior statutory coverage. The application to join must be filed within three months.
- Voluntary statutory members paid at least 222.80 euros per month for health insurance in 2026. This assumes no entitlement to sick pay and the average additional contribution.
What happens to your status?
During the traineeship you are either a probationary civil servant (Beamter auf Widerruf) or in a public-law training relationship (öffentlich-rechtliches Ausbildungsverhältnis). Your appointment notice states which applies. This determines both your pay and your health insurance.
If the exam is finally failed, the traineeship ends. State law governs how the employment relationship is then closed, for example through dismissal. Read the notice carefully and ask the responsible examination office before you make your own plans. Depending on subject and state, this is a state examination office, a higher regional court (Oberlandesgericht) or a school authority.
What does a retake look like?
The examination regulations set whether and how often you may retake the exam. In Bavaria, section 32 (1) of the teacher training examination regulations II allows a single retake of the second state exam in the additional subject. For other states and for the main exam, you must read the regulation of your own state. The overview below shows what to check.
| Question | What usually applies | Where to ask |
|---|---|---|
| May I retake? | The examination regulation sets whether and how often. Whether one retake is allowed differs by state. | Examination office |
| Are there deadlines? | Deadlines are set by state law and are not the same everywhere. | Examination office |
| Does pay continue? | This varies by state. Some states reduce pay during a retake. | State pay office |
| How am I insured? | This depends on your status, see the next section. | Benefit office or health insurer |
Health insurance after failing
During the traineeship, cover usually comes through state benefit from your employer plus a private or voluntary statutory policy. When the employment relationship ends, this benefit stops. You then usually have these options:
- Return to statutory health insurance as a voluntary member. You must have prior statutory coverage. Under section 9 of the Social Code Book V (SGB V), this means 24 months within the last five years or twelve uninterrupted months immediately before. You must notify your intention to join within three months, and the period starts when the membership ends. Section 9 SGB V (in German)
- Private health insurance. This is an option if you cannot return to statutory insurance or you choose it deliberately. Health questions and the tariff then determine the premium.
- Family insurance. This applies only if you meet the conditions. The rules are in section 10 SGB V (in German).
If you were only privately insured before, you may not meet the statutory prior coverage requirement. Check this with your health insurer before you cancel anything, so that no gap arises. More on routes out of the traineeship: health insurance between exams and traineeship (in German).
Worked example: voluntary statutory insurance
Assumption: you are a voluntary statutory member without entitlement to sick pay, so the reduced rate of 14.0 percent applies. The minimum assessment base for 2026 is 1,318.33 euros, calculated from the reference income of 3,955 euros divided by 3. The average additional contribution of 2.9 percent is added. Your insurer’s additional contribution may differ.
| Item (assumption) | Calculation | Amount per month |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance | 1,318.33 euros x 16.9 percent | 222.80 euros |
| Long-term care insurance with child | 1,318.33 euros x 3.6 percent | 47.46 euros |
| Long-term care insurance without child from age 23 | 1,318.33 euros x 4.2 percent | 55.37 euros |
| Total with child | 222.80 euros + 47.46 euros | 270.26 euros |
| Total without child from age 23 | 222.80 euros + 55.37 euros | 278.17 euros |
The figures are based on the GKV umbrella association’s fact sheet on 2026 calculation values. GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on 2026 calculation values Your health insurer’s contribution rate always applies.
Pay and cover afterwards
When the employment relationship ends, pay ends too. Whether you receive unemployment benefit afterwards depends on your previous employment and your availability for work. The employment agency decides case by case. For the situation after the traineeship, see the guide on unemployment benefit, health insurance and summer holidays.
Frequently asked questions
Can I retake the Second State Exam?
This depends on your state and its examination regulation. Many regulations allow a retake, sometimes only once. The exact rule is in the regulation, and the examination office gives binding information.
Do I still receive money after failing for good?
When the employment relationship ends, pay usually ends too. Whether any transitional benefit exists is set by state law. We do not give amounts, because we have no reliable source for all states.
Am I automatically insured after failing?
No. Cover through your employer ends with the employment relationship. Arrange a follow-on solution in advance. Without insurance you pay medical costs yourself, which can become expensive quickly.
Can I switch back from private to statutory insurance?
Only if you meet the conditions of section 9 SGB V, above all the statutory prior coverage. Your health insurer checks whether it applies to you. Get the confirmation in writing before you cancel your private policy.
How long do I have to arrange new insurance?
You must notify your intention to join voluntary statutory insurance within three months (section 9 SGB V). Private insurance follows its own deadlines and rules, which you should ask your insurer about.
What to do now
- Read your notice and clarify whether the employment relationship ends or a retake is possible. Ask the examination office about the deadlines.
- Ask the pay or benefit office when pay and state benefit end.
- Check your statutory prior coverage under section 9 SGB V and ask your health insurer for a binding answer.
- Compare follow-on options: voluntary statutory insurance, private insurance or family insurance. Cancel the old policy only once the new cover is in place.
- Keep all letters and deadlines so you can show what you reported and when.
Related guides
- Switching from statutory to private insurance during the traineeship
- Unemployed after the traineeship: benefit, health insurance and summer holidays
- Employed teacher: statutory or private insurance after the traineeship
- Submitting Beihilfe invoices during the traineeship
- Health insurance between exams and traineeship (in German)
Sources: Section 9 SGB V, voluntary membership (gesetze-im-internet.de, accessed October 2026), GKV umbrella association, fact sheet on 2026 calculation values (as of 1 January 2026), Teacher training examination regulations II Bavaria, section 32 (accessed October 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
