u/askcct

If I applied for a position and was verbally told it was mine, but I never signed anything, can I be penalized for backing out? The only condition was that I had to pass a certification exam over the summer. Unfortunately, a lot of personal things happened this past month, so I contacted my principal and let her know I wouldn't be able to accept the position anymore.
Her response was that she wished I had told her sooner because it was going to be difficult to find someone this late in the summer. Part of the agreement was that if I didn't pass the certification exam, the position wouldn't have been mine anyway, so I'm not sure if that changes anything.