Bricklayer Ausbildung Guide
Short answer: Bricklayer Ausbildung (Maurer/-in) takes 36 months and teaches you to build walls, concrete structures and energy-efficient building parts on construction sites. A new training regulation applies from 1 August 2026, with a split final exam. You train in a company, at the Berufsschule and in inter-company courses.
Construction training changed in 2026, and most websites still describe the old rules. This guide explains what a bricklayer apprentice does, how the three years are built, how the new exam works and what to check before you sign a contract. You can compare it with other fields in our Ausbildung fields guide.
What does a bricklayer do?
BIBB describes the job as building walls, columns and other structures from stone, including reinforced concrete work such as formwork, reinforcement and pouring concrete. Bricklayers also do energy-efficiency work such as insulation and thermal composite systems, and they maintain masonry, plaster, screeds and concrete parts. Training covers planning jobs, setting up a site, working with materials and machines, reading drawings, taking measurements and checking quality.
Most bricklayers work in building construction firms and other main-trade companies, for example concrete construction, renovation and prefabricated house builders. The occupation is listed under both the craft (Handwerk) and the industry and commerce (IHK) chambers.
Bricklayer Ausbildung under the 2026 rules
The regulation for the building trades is dated 3 June 2024. The construction industry federation (ZDB) says the new rules apply from 1 August 2026. It covers the building occupations in finishing, structural and civil engineering. Maurer is a single three-year occupation with no separate basic year, according to BIBB.
| Training block | Length | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Basic construction skills | About 1 year | Shared by all construction occupations |
| Area skills | About half a year | Shared within the area, for example building construction |
| Occupation skills | About 1.5 years | Specific to bricklayers |
The content was fully revised. The new focus themes are building in existing structures, energy efficiency and material-efficient building with sustainable materials. Inter-company training also changed. According to the ZDB, 30 weeks are compulsory over three years, and up to 9 more can be added by the training company.
How the final exam works
The three-year occupations no longer have an intermediate exam. Instead the final exam is split, as in many other occupations. Read our exam guide for the general idea. For bricklayers, IHK Region Stuttgart gives these details:
| Part | When | Weight | Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | Fourth half-year | 40 percent of the total | A practical work task of 8 hours (30 minutes planning included) and 120 minutes of written tasks. Practical 60 percent, written 40 percent of part 1. |
| Part 2 | End of training | 60 percent of the total | A practical work task of 8 hours (30 percent of the total) and three written areas of 10 percent each: masonry work (90 minutes), building measures (90 minutes), economics and social studies (60 minutes). |
To pass you need at least “sufficient” in the overall result, in part 2, in the masonry practical task and in at least two other part 2 areas. No part 2 area may be rated “insufficient”. Part 1 cannot be repeated on its own, according to the ZDB.
Two-year route and moving up
There is also a two-year training for skilled building workers, such as Hochbaufacharbeiter/-in. The ZDB says that after passing it, you can continue in a third year in a suitable three-year occupation of the same area. Ask your chamber how your own contract is treated, and whether a new contract after the two years is needed. The ZDB also says there are transition rules until 31 July 2030 for people who finish a two-year training under the old 1999 regulation.
How to apply: 4 steps
- Search with the German title. Look for “Maurer/-in Ausbildung” and also “Hochbaufacharbeiter/-in” for the two-year route.
- Ask which regulation applies. Ask the company and the chamber whether your contract falls under the 2026 rules.
- Prepare your documents. Follow our application guide.
- Compare the offers. Pay is set by agreement or by the company. See our salary guide.
Common mistakes
- Using old information. Pages that mention a mid-training intermediate exam describe the old rules.
- Not asking about inter-company courses. They are a compulsory part of the training, so ask where they take place and who pays.
- Skipping the German title. Most adverts use “Maurer/-in”, not “bricklayer”.
- Ignoring part 1. Part 1 is 40 percent of your result and cannot be repeated on its own.
Frequently asked questions
How long is bricklayer Ausbildung in Germany?
It lasts 36 months (three years), according to BIBB.
What is the German name for bricklayer?
Maurer or Maurerin. Search for this name in job adverts.
What changed in 2026?
The three-year building occupations have a new content structure and a split final exam. They no longer have an intermediate exam, and the training puts more weight on sustainability and building in existing structures.
Is there a basic year?
Training starts with about one year of shared construction basics, but Maurer is a single occupation. BIBB does not list a separate basic-year occupation for it.
Does this guide apply if I signed before August 2026?
The sources do not explain this clearly for every case, so ask your chamber which regulation applies to your contract.
Sources
- BIBB, Maurer/Maurerin (Ausbildung)
- IHK Region Stuttgart, Maurer/-in: Abschlussprüfung Teil 1 und Teil 2
- ZDB, Neue Ausbildungsverordnung Bauwirtschaft 2026 (flyer)
Last updated: 2 Nov 2026. Rules and figures can change, so confirm details with the official source before you decide.