CILS Exams
The Certificates of Italian are titles attesting the degree of communication skills in Italian as a Foreign Language. Potential recipients include foreign citizens, Italian citizens residing abroad (of Italian origin), and foreign immigrants in Italy.
No previous degree is required to take the exams.
For the administration of the exams through the Italian Culture Institutes, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has signed agreements with the following institutions:
- Università per Stranieri di Perugia(CELI – CIC)
- Università per Stranieri di Siena (CILS)
- Università degli Studi Roma Tre (IT – ele.IT)
- Società Dante Alighieri(PLIDA)
The certification is consistent with the parameters set by the European Union’s Framework of Reference for Languages.
| Università per Stranieri di Perugia |
Università per Stranieri di Siena |
Università degli Studi di Roma Tre | Dante Alighieri | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEVEL C2 Padronanza |
CELI 5 | CILS Quattro-C2 | IT | PLIDA C2 |
| LEVEL C1 Efficacia |
CELI 4 | CILS Tre-C1 | —— | PLIDA C1 |
| LEVEL B2 Progresso |
CELI 3 | CILS Due B2 | —— | PLIDA B2 |
| LEVEL B1 Soglia |
CELI 2 | CILS Uno B1 | ele.IT | PLIDA B1 |
| LEVEL A2 Sopravvivenza |
CELI 1 | CILS A2 | —— | PLIDA A2 |
| LEVEL A1 Contatto |
CELI 1 | CILS A1 | —— | PLIDA A1 |
* As of December 4, 2018 (Italian law No. 132, of December 1, 2018) an adequate knowledge of the Italian language is required for obtaining Italian citizenship pursuant to art. 5 and 9 of Law 91/1992. Adequate knowledge is defined to be no less than level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Fulfillment of this requirement is met by the acquisition of a title/certification issued by an institution of public education/educational institution or a certification issued by an authorized/recognized certifying body.
How to take the exams abroad
Certification exams can be taken abroad. They are administered by the Italian cultural Institutes or other authorized institutions. In New York, the Italian Cultural Institute offers CILS exams (on behalf of the Università per Stranieri di Siena) twice a year – in the first half of June and in the first half of December of each year. A registration fee is required in order to take the exam. More information is available at the Universita’ per Stranieri di Siena website.
CILS Exams at the Italian Cultural Institute in New York
Exam dates in 2025
– December 5, 2025, all levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) – Registration CLOSED (maximum number of applicants reached)
Exam dates in 2026
– June 16, 2026, all levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) – Registration from March 16 to april 20, 2026
– December 3, 2025, all levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) – Registration from September 7 to October 16, 2026
*** Additional exam dates may still be available in other locations. Please check the list of authorized providers on the University of Siena web site (UNISTRASI – Università per Stranieri di Siena) and/or the local list recommended by the Italian Consulate in NY (enti_certificatori_italiano_marzo_2020.pdf). ***
All documents must arrive exclusively during the registration period specified for each exam listed above.
General instructions for CILS exam registration:
- Applicants must send a filled-out Application Form, a photocopy of an ID (passport or driver’s license), and a check or money order for the registration fee corresponding to the level of the exam one wishes to take. Please be aware that personal data (e.g. family name, etc.) on the APPLICATION FORM (PDF form or Word Form) must be completed and match the I.D.
- Application materials must be sent to the Italian Cultural Institute, CILS Exam, 686 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065.
- Checks or money orders should be made payable to Istituto Italiano di Cultura, 686 Park Avenue, New York, NY, 10065- For: CILS exam.
- All documents must be delivered at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura by the deadline specified above
- Applicants will receive an acceptance email once the registration is completed.
- Results are available at risultati.unistrasi.it
- Diploma: it is possible to download from the portal a certificate with the score (if you have passed the test). The final diploma is sent by courier from the University of Siena to the Institute 3 to 6 (or more) months after the publication of the results. Once the diploma has been received, the IIC will deliver it directly to the interested parties.
** Timing of publication of results and printing of diplomas depends exclusively on the University for Foreigners of Siena (Instructions for exam locations).**
Important: Please be advised that seats are limited. Acceptance is on a first-come-first-serve basis. Exams take place with a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 18 applicants. If there are fewer than 8 applications, the exam will not take place and the fee(s) will be refunded. Registration stops when we reach the number of 18 applicants.
Test samples from the University of Siena: test examples
Important information for the day of the exam.
The test will take place at the Italian Cultural Institute (686 Park Avenue), starts at around 9/9:30 am and you must be in person. Details regarding the exam day will be sent directly to each student once registration is completed.
| Level | Fee | Fee for each proficiency * |
| A1 | $90.00 | $25.00* |
| A2 | $90.00 | $25.00* |
| UNO B1 | $150.00 | $37.00* |
| DUE B2 | $160.00 | $40.00* |
| TRE C1 | $190.00 | $47.00* |
| QUATTRO C2 | $220.00 | $50.00* |
* Applicable to test(s) not passed in a previous exam.
Registration fees are NOT refunded unless the session is canceled due to insufficient number of applications.
This page is frequently revised, please check it for updates.