Overview
The EFZ (Eidgenoessisches Faehigkeitszeugnis, in English the Federal VET Diploma) is the qualification awarded at the end of a three-year or four-year vocational education and training (VET) programme in Switzerland. The QV (Qualifikationsverfahren, the qualification procedure) is the set of assessments that decide whether a learner gets it. Its main part is the final examination.
There is no single EFZ exam. Each occupation has its own VET ordinance and training plan, and the ordinance sets out how the qualification procedure works, including the grading and the passing grade. This page describes the common structure and uses the examples published on the national VET information portal, which is run by the SDBB for the cantons with the support of the federal government (SERI).
Two-year programmes lead to a Federal VET Certificate instead. They are not covered here except where noted.
Who can apply
Most candidates are learners finishing a VET programme, usually a dual-track one that combines a host company, a vocational school and branch courses. Some occupations are taught full time in school, for example at trade schools, commercial schools or IT schools, and these also lead to a federal qualification.
Adults can also qualify. The portal lists four routes: validation of prior learning to get the qualification directly, validation of prior learning to be admitted straight to the final examination, recognition of prior learning to shorten the programme, or taking a full programme. For direct admission to the final examination under Art. 32 of the ordinance, the candidate needs several years in the occupation, and the canton of residence decides on admission. Validation requires at least five years of work experience, part of it in the occupation.
Exam pattern
The VET ordinance for each occupation fixes the competence areas. Three are generally set: practical work, technical knowledge, and language, communication and society (LCS). Other areas may exist for some occupations.
| Competence area | What it usually involves |
|---|---|
| Practical work | Either an individual practical project in the host company with a work logbook and an occupational interview, or a pre-assigned examination project where all candidates do the same task watched by two examiners |
| Technical knowledge | A written exam, or written and oral exams, matching the classroom theory |
| Language, communication and society | For learners who began before 2026: the school performance grade, a special project and a final examination. For learners starting after 2026: the performance grade, a final project and a final examination |
For LCS under the new rules, the final project is a product developed over 25 to 35 working hours with a presentation. The final examination is either a 20-minute oral exam or a 150-minute written one, and a canton must use one type. The portal states that the new procedure takes place for the first time in 2028 for two-year programmes and 2029/2030 for three- and four-year programmes.
Commercial occupations (Kauffrau/Kaufmann) have their own structure, with the 2023 ordinance using supervised case work and school examinations that integrate LCS. See the portal for details.
Marking and results
Overall grades are calculated by averaging weighted grades from each qualification area. School and company grades during the programme feed into the performance grade for practical experience. The qualification procedure counts as passed when the passing grade in the occupation's ordinance is reached. The portal states that the procedure is deemed successful if the overall grade is 4.0 or higher, and that the practical work grade is more often than not eliminatory. The exact weights and the grade calculation are set by each occupation's ordinance, so read yours.
A candidate who fails may look at the documents that concern them. Competence areas that were not passed can be repeated up to two times. If the apprenticeship contract is not extended, the host company no longer has to pay the salary during a repeat.
Fees
Employers register learners and provide the examination premises, tools and equipment free of charge. Check with your cantonal VET office for any other costs.
How to apply
Learners are registered for the final examination by their employer, with the cantonal VET office organising it. Health reasons for missing the exam need a medical certificate, and other unforeseeable reasons must be reported quickly to the authority, which will try to arrange a retake in the same year.
After the exam
On success you receive the Federal VET Diploma, which is a federally recognised qualification that opens the way to advanced professional education and training. If you completed the Federal Vocational Baccalaureate along the way, you can go on to a university of applied sciences in a field related to your occupation without an entrance exam. An extra examination, the University Aptitude Test, opens access to universities.
Preparation tips
Get the VET ordinance and training plan for your occupation, since these define what is examined.
Keep your work logbook and project records up to date for the individual practical project.
Use the semester grades and grading sheets from your school, company and branch courses to see where you stand.
Is there one national EFZ exam?
No. Each occupation has its own ordinance, so the exam format, weights and passing grade differ. The structure of three competence areas is common.
Can an adult get an EFZ without an apprenticeship?
Yes, through validation of prior learning or by being admitted directly to the final examination, subject to years of work experience and the decision of the cantonal VET office.