Overview
The Lehrabschlussprüfung (LAP) is the final exam of an apprenticeship in Austria. It checks whether the apprentice has learned the skills and knowledge of the trade and can carry out its typical tasks properly. It is held in each apprenticeship trade (Lehrberuf) separately, so the exact subjects differ by trade. The sources are in German.
Taking the exam is voluntary for the apprentice. Passing it gives a certificate and the right to use the trade title. For the three-month default period after passing, the employer normally has to keep the apprentice on, with exceptions.
Who can apply
Apprentices at the end of their apprenticeship. The applicant is always the apprentice, not the employer.
People who have finished the set apprenticeship period, including where school training or other recognised time was credited.
People who do not need to serve an apprenticeship period because of a school-based training.
By exception, people aged 18 or over who can show they gained the skills in another way, such as long relevant work or courses, can be admitted by the apprenticeship office without having been apprentices.
One application is needed per trade, so a double apprenticeship needs two applications. People who finished certain schools or exams can also sit an additional exam (Zusatzprüfung) in a closely related trade.
Exam pattern
By law the exam has a practical part and a theoretical part, and it contains both a written and an oral component. The subjects, their content and the fee for each trade are set in a separate exam regulation (Prüfungsordnung) issued by the federal minister for each trade. A written and oral part in the same subject get one combined mark. The theoretical part is waived for people who completed the final class of a specialist vocational school or a vocational school that replaces the apprenticeship period.
For four-year trades and modular trades with a four-year training period, the regulation also includes a partial exam on the subject area of the Berufsreifeprüfung.
An exam board set up by the apprenticeship office (Lehrlingsstelle) conducts the exam. It has a chair and two assessors, who must hold a qualification at least at apprenticeship-exam level in the same or a related trade.
Marking and results
The board gives each subject a mark and then decides one of four outcomes: passed with distinction, passed with good success, passed, or not passed. The chair announces the decision orally after the exam. The apprenticeship office then issues an exam certificate.
If the exam is failed, only the subjects marked "nicht genügend" (fail) have to be repeated.
Important dates
An application can be filed at the earliest six months before the end of the apprenticeship.
The exam can be taken at the earliest ten weeks before the end of the apprenticeship. For year-round vocational schools the earliest date is six weeks before the end of the school year. For block-release schools it cannot be before the last block ends.
An early exam is possible from the start of the last apprenticeship year if the vocational school was completed successfully and the employer agrees in writing, or the apprenticeship ended early without the apprentice's fault (for example, the company went bankrupt).
Exam dates are planned per trade and province. The WKO publishes an overview of planned dates that is updated continuously. Registering in the province where you want to sit the exam secures a place if you meet the legal conditions, even when no free date is shown yet.
Fees
The exam carries an exam fee (Prüfungstaxe), and the exact amount is set in each trade's exam regulation. The employer has to pay the exam costs, fee plus any material costs, if the apprentice sits the exam for the first time during the apprenticeship or the continued-employment period. The employer must also release the apprentice from work for the exam with pay.
For repeat attempts, the second and third attempts can be free: two free attempts apply per trade or module, after a previous attempt marked "not passed". From the fourth attempt, and after an unexcused absence, the fee must be paid. Free attempts depend on available funding.
How to apply
Submit an application for admission to the responsible apprenticeship office (Lehrlingsstelle) of the Wirtschaftskammer.
Registration for an exam date is done through the WKO online service (eService), either by the company or by the apprentice.
In some cases the apprenticeship office can allow admission by an official decision (Bescheid) as an exception.
After the exam
Repeat attempts are allowed any number of times, with a new application each time. Training from a foreign country can be recognised in some cases. The WKO also lists preparation courses and a certificate verification service on its exam page.
Is the Lehrabschlussprüfung compulsory?
No. Taking the exam is voluntary for the apprentice.
Who pays for the first attempt?
The employer has to cover the exam fee and any material costs if the apprentice sits the exam for the first time during the apprenticeship or the continued-employment period.
What happens if I fail?
You can repeat it as often as you like with a new application. Only the subjects marked as failed have to be retaken. Two free repeat attempts per trade or module are available under conditions.