Learning in the Public Service: What are the rules?
Verified 01 January 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
The apprenticeship contract is an employment contract that allows for periods of training in an administration and in an apprenticeship training center to be followed alternately. We're taking a look at the regulations.
Minimum age
The apprentice must be elderly at minimum from 16 years.
But it exists 2 exemptions at this minimum age:
- Young at least 15 years of age proof of having completed the schooling of 1er secondary education (3e)
- Young people reaching the age of 15 between the start of the school year and the end of the yearcalendar year if it fills the whole the following conditions:
- Have completed the schooling of 1er secondary education (3e)
- Be enrolled in a vocational high school or CFA: titleContent, by having an educational status, in order to start training leading to the issue of a diploma or a professional title, registered in RNCP: titleContent.
Maximum age
The apprentice must be elderly at maximum from 29 years of age (30 years minus 1 day).
The apprentice may be up to 35 years of age (36 years minus 1 day) in the following cases:
- Apprentice signing a new contract to access a higher level of diploma than the one already obtained
- Previous contract of the apprentice broken for reasons beyond his control
- Previous contract of the apprentice broken for physical and temporary incapacity.
In these cases, it must not take more than 1 year between the 2 contracts.
Derogations from the maximum age
There's no no maximum age in the following cases:
- Apprentice recognized disabled worker
- Apprentice planning to start or take over a company that involves graduation
- Apprentice registered as a top sportsman
- An apprentice who has not graduated and enters into a new contract with another employer to take the exam again.
The apprenticeship contract concluded in an administration is a contract of private law with limited duration (CDL).
The contract is signed by the employer and the apprentice (and legal representative, if the apprentice is a minor).
1 copy is given to the apprentice, the other is kept by the employer.
Any amendment to an essential element of the contract shall be subject to endorsement forwarded to the DDETS: titleContent.
Within 5 working days following the start of the execution of the apprenticeship contract, the employer shall transmit the contract to the DDETS or to the DDETSPP: titleContent.
This transmission is done by dematerialized means using the platform for dematerialization of learning contracts of the public service.
This platform allows public employers to enter and generate the cerfa and then forward the contract directly to the DDETS or the DDETSPP:
Conclusion and transmission of the apprenticeship contract in the public service
The DDETS or the DDETSPP has 20 days to decide on the assumption of the contract. Unanswered within that period, the application is accepted.
Please note
One mediator shall be appointed in the event of a dispute between the employer and the apprentice or his legal representative concerning the performance or termination of the apprenticeship contract.
The apprenticeship contract has a duration of 6 months at least to 3 years at most. The maximum duration of the contract may be extended to 4 years where the apprentice is a disabled worker.
The duration of the contract is equal to the duration of the training cycle that the apprentice prepares to obtain his qualification. This duration is set according to the type of profession and may vary.
It can be adapted to take into account the level of the apprentice, the skills already acquired (prolonged or shortened, for example). In this case, a tripartite agreement is concluded between the CFA, the employer and the apprentice (or his legal representative if he is a minor).
The contract start date is the theoretical training in CFA or practical training at the employer.
FYI
An administration cannot conclude with the same apprentice more than 3 successive apprenticeship contracts.
Minimum remuneration
The apprentice shall receive remuneration corresponding to a percentage of the Smic: titleContent.
Situation | 16 to 17 years | 18-20 years | 21-25 years | 26 years and older |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1re year | 27% the minimum wage, or €492.22 | 43% the minimum wage, or €783.90 | 53% the minimum wage, or €966.21 | 100% the minimum wage, or €1,823.03 |
2e year | 39% the minimum wage, or €710.98 | 51% the minimum wage, or €929.75 | 61% the minimum wage, or €1,112.05 | 100% the minimum wage, or €1,823.03 |
3e year | 55% the minimum wage, or €1,002.67 | 67% the minimum wage, or €1,221.43 | 78% the minimum wage, or €1,421.97 | 100% the minimum wage, or €1,823.03 |
The apprentice preparing a professional license in 1 year shall receive remuneration corresponding to 2e year of contract.
Deductions for benefits in kind (food or accommodation) provided for in the apprenticeship contract may be made up to 75% of salary.
Please note
Public employers have the option of raising pay rates by 10 points or 20 points.
A simulator is used to estimate the apprentice's remuneration:
Estimate the salary of an employee on an apprenticeship or professionalization contract
Salary increase
The apprentice's percentage of pay is increased by 15 points if the following 3 conditions are met :
- Contract concluded for a period of 1 year or less
- Diploma or title prepared by the apprentice is of the same level as that previously obtained
- Qualification sought in direct relation to that resulting from the diploma or title previously obtained.
Example :
A 19 year old apprentice completes a new CAP in 1 year directly related to the previous CAP which lasted 2 years. His remuneration was 51% the minimum wage at the end of his last contract. He will therefore receive a remuneration of 51% + 15 points, i.e 66% the minimum wage.
The salary increases linked to the transition from one age group to another shall take effect from 1er day of the month following the apprentice's birthday.
Example :
An apprentice, in 1re year of apprenticeship, reaches the age of 21 in March. His pay will go up from 43% à 53% of the Smic on 1er April.
Apprenticeships are based on the principle of alternating theoretical teaching in CFA and teaching the trade at the employer with whom the apprentice has signed his employment contract.
Registration in an Apprenticeship Training Center (CFA)
An apprentice in a public administration receives his training in an apprenticeship training center (CFA) or a vocational high school apprenticeship section.
However, a CFA may enter into an agreement with one or more CFAs managed by one of the public employers.
When learning takes place in a local authority or one of its public administrative institutions, an agreement may be entered into with the CNFPT: titleContent.
The apprentice must enter training in the 3 months which follow the start of the apprenticeship contract.
The apprentice's training in CFA must have a minimum duration corresponding to 25% the total duration of the contract.
This time is shorter than that of vocational or technological high schools, because the time spent in company is training time.
FYI
The agreement must specify how the employer will cover the costs of transport and accommodation during practical training.
One national business map is issued to the apprentice by the CFA.
This card can give the following advantages:
- Access to restaurants and university accommodation
- Discounts for leisure and sports activities (sports, cinema, theater, etc.)
- Benefit from reduced and preferential fares granted to students in transport.
FYI
The training can be carried out entirely or partially remotely with a follow-up by the CFA. The training agreement between the apprentice and the CFA must specify the practical arrangements.
Training in administration
The employer must provide practical training for the apprentice.
It entrusts the apprentice with tasks or positions that enable operations or work to be carried out in accordance with an annual progression.
This progression is defined between employers and the CFAs in which apprentices are registered.
How are the training hours distributed?
The time spent at the CFA and in company varies according to the training carried out. For example, 2 days at CFA and 3 in company, or 1 month at CFA and 1 month in company.
Can the apprentice reorient himself during the training?
An apprentice engaged in the preparation of a professional bac may, at the end of its 1re year, shorten his training. It can reorient itself towards the preparation of a Certificate of Professional Competence (CAP), one certificate of agricultural professional competence (Capa) or agricultural professional certificate (BPA).
When the new diploma prepared is in the same professional field as the professional bac, the duration of the contract or apprenticeship period shall be reduced by 1 year.
What happens at the end of the training?
In the event of success, the training shall result in the award of a diploma or a title recognized as being professional purpose.
If the examination fails, the training and apprenticeship may be extended by1 year maximum.
The apprenticeship master is directly responsible for the apprentice's training and assumes the function of guardian.
It accompanies the apprentice in his work towards obtaining the title or diploma prepared, in liaison with the CFA.
The employer must ensure that the apprenticeship teacher receives training to enable him to carry out his mission.
The apprenticeship supervisor must ensure that the training provided to the apprentice has not evolved. It must also ensure that the acquisition of training is respected in order to obtain the diploma.
FYI
Any public official who performs the function of a master of learning acquires rights to training.
The learning master benefits from a annual lump sum allowance from €500.
The learning master must be voluntary and major. It must also offer all the guarantees of morality and possess pedagogical and professional skills.
Professional competence of the apprenticeship master
The professional competence requirements for being a master of learning differ depending on the title or diploma held:
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Graduated or titled Master of Learning
The apprenticeship master must have a diploma or professional title in the same field as that prepared by the apprentice. It must justify1 year of professional practice in relation to the qualification prepared by the apprentice.
Traineeships and periods of professionalization or apprenticeship shall not be taken into account in the calculation of the length of experience required.
A collective agreement or branch agreement may contain different provisions.
Learning master without diploma or title
The learning master must justify 2 years of professional practice in relation to the qualification prepared by the apprentice.
Traineeships and periods of professionalization or apprenticeship shall not be taken into account in the calculation of the length of experience required.
How many apprentices per teacher?
An establishment can accommodate a maximum 2 apprentices and 1 redoubling per learning master.
The Departmental Committee on Employment and Social Inclusion may grant derogations from this ceiling.
FYI
Several apprenticeship masters may carry out their duties within the institution. In this case, a reference learning master is appointed from the tutoring team. It coordinates and liaises with the CFA.
The rules differ depending on whether the apprentice is of age or a minor:
Major
The apprentice's working time is the same as that of other employees. The legal duration of work number of staff is fixed at 35 hours a week.
Training time in CFA is actual working time and account in the work schedule.
He can work overtime.
Minor
The legal duration of actual work is 35 hours per week.
Training time in CFA is actual working time and account in the work schedule.
The following rules apply to the minor apprentice:
- 2 consecutive days of rest per week
- The apprentice cannot work on Sundays, except in certain sectors of activity
- The night work is forbidden between 10pm and 6am for a young person from 16 to 18 years old and between 8pm and 6am for a young person under 16 years old, except exemptions
- 35 hours of work per week
- The apprentice may exceptionally work 5 hours of overtime per week, after agreement of the labor inspector and the opinion of the occupational physician
- 8 hours of work per day
- No more than 4 consecutive hours 30 minutes, which must be followed by a break of 30 consecutive minutes
- Prohibition to work a legal holiday.
Calculation of the apprentice's paid leave
The apprentice is entitled to paid leave legal, that is to say 5 weeks of paid leave per year. The employer has the right to decide on the period during which the apprentice can take his leave.
If the apprentice is under 21 years of age on April 30 of the previous year, additional leave without pay, up to a limit of 30 working days per year. The age requirement is reviewed on April 30 of the year preceding the application.
Leave for Examination
For the preparation of his tests, the apprentice is entitled to an additional leave of 5 working days in the month preceding them. These days are in addition to paid leave and are paid.
Other leave of absence of apprentice
An apprentice can benefit from a maternity leave.
An apprentice can also benefit from a paternity leave.
The apprentice is entitled to the same leave as any other employee:
The apprentice has an exceptional leave of absence of 1 day to participate in the defense and citizenship day. This absence does not result in a loss of salary.
At the time of hiring
The apprentice benefits from a information and prevention visit (VIP) as part of his hiring. It must take place in the 2 months who follow the hiring.
Where the apprentice is a minor, or work at night, this information and prevention visit must take place before he was hired.
If the apprentice is assigned to regulated work, one medical examination for suitability for employment must be carried out by a licensed doctor before the assignment to the position.
The list of approved doctors is available on the websites of the regional health agencies with territorial jurisdiction.
Other medical examinations
The apprentice also benefits from periodic visits and recovery visit after a work stoppage.
The apprenticeship contract may be broken. Conditions vary depending on the duration already past in administration.
Infographie - How to break the apprenticeship contract in the public service?
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How to break the apprenticeship contract?
You have the right to terminate your apprenticeship contract during training. The conditions vary according to the length of time already spent in the service of the public employer.
Start of practical training for the public employer
Case 1
During the first 45 days of practical training
Possible breakup at your initiative - in writing
Case 2
After the first 45 days of practical training
Possible breakup with your employer
Or
Possible breakup after having referred the matter to the mediator appointed by the public employer and informed your employer
Or
Possible termination if you graduate and provided you inform your employer in writing at least 1 month before the envisaged end of contract date
To know
Your employer may terminate the contract for gross negligence, incapacity, force majeure or permanent exclusion from the CFA.
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In the first 45 days
The contract can be broken in writing by the employer or by the apprentice.
This rupture must occur before the end of the 45 first days of practical training in administration, even if they are not consecutive.
After 45 days
The contract can be broken in one of the following:
- Joint agreement between employer and apprentice
- By the apprentice who must seize the mediator. He then informs his employer after a minimum period of 5 calendar days. The termination of the contract takes place after a minimum period of 7 calendar days after informing the employer.
- By the apprentice who graduates before the initial deadline provided that he/she informs his/her employer in writing 1 month in advance
- By the employer for gross misconduct, incapacity, force majeure and final exclusion of the apprentice from the CFA, in accordance with the dismissal on personal grounds.
Following the termination of his contract, the apprentice who has not found a new employer can continue his theoretical training for 6 months in CFA. In this case, he/she shall have the status of vocational training trainee. It retains its social rights.
The employer shall, by any means, inform the DDETS: titleContent the termination of the apprenticeship contract before its end.
The apprentice is affiliated to the general social security system and the supplementary pension scheme (Ircantec) non-incumbent public officials.
In case of unemployment, the apprentice is compensable in the same special conditions only a public official.
No, the services performed by the apprentice under his apprenticeship contract are not counted as public services in the public service.
This learning period is not taken into account for access to internal competitions.
However, the duration of the apprenticeship contract is taken into account in the calculation of the duration of activity necessary to present themselves to the 3rd competition.
Development of apprenticeships in the non-industrial and commercial public sector
Apprenticeship agreement with a legal person governed by public law
Reference rate to the minimum wage
Master of learning
Appointment of a mediator
Remuneration of apprentices in the non-industrial and commercial public sector
Submission of the contract in the non-industrial and commercial public sector
Service Public
Ministry responsible for the civil service
Ministry responsible for the civil service
Ministry of Labor
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Labor
Ministry of Vocational Training