referendare

Referendare are trainees within certain public-service professions in German-speaking countries, most commonly in law and education, who participate in a structured practical training program known as the Referendariat. The term denotes individuals who are in the process of qualifying for regulated careers and who work under supervision while gaining hands-on experience.

In the legal field, Referendare follow the First State Examination (Erstes Staatsexamen) with a two-year Referendariat. During this period they complete mandatory stations at a district court, a public prosecutor’s office, a law office or chamber, and other public administration settings. They may also undertake research projects or elective placements. The program culminates in the Second State Examination (Zweites Staatsexamen), which qualifies graduates to work as judges, public prosecutors, lawyers, or notaries. Throughout the Referendariat, Referendare typically receive a modest monthly stipend and are employed within the civil-service framework, with supervision by experienced practitioners.

In teacher training, the Referendariat (often called a trainee teaching period) follows university studies in education. Trainee teachers teach at partner schools under supervision, participate in coursework, and must pass final assessments to obtain teaching credentials. The exact structure, duration, and compensation vary by state, but the process serves as the practical bridge between university study and professional teaching.

Beyond law and teaching, the term can also apply to other public-service tracks where a formal training period is completed before full professional qualification. The Referendariat tradition reflects a long-standing approach in which practical experience is integrated with academic study to prepare individuals for regulated professions in the public sector.