The Physikum is the common German name for the First Section of the medical licensing examination (Erster Abschnitt der ärztlichen Prüfung). If you have not passed it, the first question is usually how often you may repeat it and how the procedure works. The answers are set out in the German Medical Licensing Regulations (Approbationsordnung für Ärzte), which govern the examination nationwide. Here is an overview of the rules.
Short answer: Under the German Medical Licensing Regulations (ÄApprO), each part of the First Section of the medical licensing examination may be repeated twice. A further repetition is not permitted, even after a new period of medical study. Parts that have been passed may not be repeated. The responsible body summons you ex officio to the next examination date. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points at a glance
- The regulations allow two repetitions for each part of the First Section.
- A third repetition is excluded, even after a renewed period of medical study.
- Parts you have passed may not be taken again.
- The summons to repeat is issued ex officio for the next examination date.
- The regulation sets no fixed deadline for the repetition.
- Which consequences a failed examination has is governed by section 21 of the regulations.
How many attempts do you have per part?
The rule applies to each part of the First Section separately. Under section 20(1) of the regulations, the parts of the First Section may each be repeated twice. The first attempt is not a repetition. Each part therefore allows up to three sittings: the first attempt and two repetitions.
| Attempt | Rule under section 20(1) ÄApprO |
|---|---|
| First attempt at a part | First sitting of that part |
| First repetition | Permitted as long as the part has not been passed |
| Second repetition | Permitted, and the last repetition |
| Third repetition | Not permitted, even after a renewed period of medical study |
Parts you have passed are finished. The wording expressly prohibits repeating passed sections or parts. If you have failed only one part, the count applies only to that part.
When are you summoned to repeat?
Under section 20(2) of the regulations, the responsible body summons you ex officio to the next examination date. The regulation sets no deadline by which the summons must be issued. The paragraph does not expressly require a separate application from you. If you expect a date and no summons arrives, ask the examination office of your university instead of waiting.
If the repetition concerns the Third Section, the regulation requires additional proof of training under section 21(1). For a repetition of the First Section, this requirement does not apply according to the wording.
What does a final failure mean?
After two unsuccessful repetitions of a part, there is no further attempt at that part. Section 20(1) expressly excludes a further repetition, even after a renewed period of medical study. Which consequences a failed examination has in detail is governed by section 21 of the regulations. You should read that section in its exact wording before deciding how to proceed.
If you face the end of the examination process without a licence, do not decide alone. The student advisory service of your university can explain which routes remain after a failure and which deadlines apply. For decisions about your studies, that office is closer to your situation than any general guide.
Which office organises the dates?
The regulations set the framework for all German states. Registration, dates and formalities are usually organised by the examination office of the university where you study. Details can differ from one university to another. The most reliable source is therefore your examination regulation and a direct enquiry at the examination office.
If you want to keep the whole period before the examination in view, the guide on elective placements, the practical year and health insurance (in German) covers the course of study. It does not cover the repetition of the examination itself.
What does this mean for your planning?
A repetition is a date you cannot move freely, because the number of attempts is limited. Plan with the assumption that each part can be repeated only twice. Anyone who uses up attempts early has no further entitlement afterwards, even if the course of study takes longer.
A written overview of all parts with results and attempts so far is helpful. With this overview you can go to the examination office and ask targeted questions about the dates that apply to you. The overview does not replace the university’s own information, but it makes the conversation much shorter.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Physikum the same as the First Section of the medical licensing examination?
In everyday German usage, yes. The regulations speak of the First Section of the medical licensing examination, and the repetition rules apply to that section and its parts. If you find both terms in documents, they refer to the same examination.
Does the first attempt count as a repetition?
No. The first sitting is the first attempt, and the two repetitions follow it. Each part therefore allows at most three sittings.
Do I have to register for the repetition myself?
The wording provides that the responsible body summons you ex officio. It is still worth asking the examination office, especially if you expect a date and no summons arrives.
Does the limit also apply after a renewed period of medical study?
Yes. The regulations expressly exclude a further repetition even then. A renewed period of study does not change the number of attempts.
Where can I find the current dates?
The regulations do not list examination dates. Ask the examination office of your university, because the concrete dates are published there and not in federal law.
What to do now
- Read sections 20 and 21 of the regulations in their exact wording before you plan anything.
- Count the attempts so far for each part you have not passed, including the first attempt.
- Ask the examination office of your university about the next date and the status of your summons.
- Clarify with the student advisory service what a renewed failure would mean for your studies.
- Check whether the planned reform of the regulations affects your situation before you commit to a route.
How does a repetition work in practice?
In practice, the process starts with the summons. When it arrives, check the date, place and form of the examination. If the date clashes with other commitments, raise this with the examination office as early as possible, before accepting the summons as fixed. A written confirmation of the date and your attempt status helps you keep track at every sitting.
Assumption: you failed one part in the spring and are waiting for the next summons. In the meantime, targeted preparation for the content you were missing is worthwhile. That way you know exactly which attempt counts at the next sitting and how many remain after it.
Whether a date can be moved for an important reason is governed by the examination regulation of your university. The wording of the German Medical Licensing Regulations contains no separate rule for this. The decisive point is therefore the examination office’s answer in your individual case, which you should obtain in writing.
Related guides
- Staatsexamen und Referendariat: Reformen, Fristen und Regeln im Überblick (in German)
- Neue Approbationsordnung: Was sich für das Praktische Jahr ändern soll (in German)
- Medizinstudium: Famulatur, Praktisches Jahr und Krankenversicherung (in German)
- Barrierefreies Studium: Nachteilsausgleich, Beratung und Hilfen (in German)
Sources: German Medical Licensing Regulations, section 20 Repetition of examinations (German text), retrieved November 2026. German Medical Licensing Regulations, full edition with structure (German text), retrieved November 2026.
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
