TCF IRN prices, dates and centres: how to register

In short: each centre sets its own price (often between €100 and €200), its dates and its format (paper or computer). Results arrive within 15 working days after France Éducation international receives the test material, and the certificate is valid for 2 years. If you do not reach the level, you can take the test again after 20 days.

Before paying for the test, check your level for free in 5 minutes, no account needed: take the free TCF level test.

Do you need to take the TCF IRN for your residence permit, your resident card or your naturalisation? Here is how to find a centre, how much it costs, how to register and when you will get your results.

Parcours Civique is an independent practice website, not linked to France Éducation international. We do not sell places for the test: you register directly with an approved centre.

In short

• Each centre sets its own price. There is no single price in France.
• Dates also depend on the centre. Places are limited: register early.
• You take the test on paper or on a computer, depending on the centre.
• The 4 sections take place on the same day, in a single session, for all applications (residence cards and citizenship).
• On test day, bring a valid passport or residence permit (titre de séjour), as a paper original.
• Results: within 15 working days after France Éducation international receives the test material.
• The certificate (attestation) is valid for 2 years from the date the results are issued.
• Retaking the test: at least 20 days between two attempts.

How much does the TCF IRN cost?

Each centre sets its own price. The prefecture of Hérault gives a cost « between €100 and €200 ». Here are some examples taken from centre websites:

These prices can change. Always check the price on the centre’s website on the day you register.

Before you pay, read the cancellation conditions. They vary from one centre to another. For example, Université Bordeaux Montaigne only gives refunds for medical or work reasons, and keeps €40 in fees. Alliance Française de Strasbourg can give a refund for a cancellation made more than 6 weeks before the test, minus €30 in fees.

Can you use your CPF?

The TCF IRN is registered in the France compétences directory (record RS6643, valid until 31/05/2027). So some centres may offer registration through the CPF (Compte personnel de formation, the French personal training account). Be careful: since 2 April 2026, you must pay €150 yourself for any training paid for with the CPF, with some exceptions (for example jobseekers). Compare this with the price of the test before you choose. Ask the centre if it accepts the CPF.

Where can you take the TCF IRN?

You take the test at a centre approved by France Éducation international: Alliances Françaises, universities, language schools, training organisations. There are more than 700 centres around the world. The official list is on the France Éducation international map of centres.

Our tips for choosing:

• Ask about the format: paper or computer, depending on the centre. Some centres offer both. On a computer, one centre (REFLETS) asks candidates to know how to use a mouse and a French keyboard (AZERTY). Read our comparison TCF IRN on a computer or on paper.
• Ask when the centre sends the test material to France Éducation international: the 15 working days start when it is received. This matters if your appointment at the prefecture (préfecture) is coming soon.
• Be wary of offers that look too easy. No one can sell you a certificate without you taking the test at an approved centre.

When should you take the test?

Each centre publishes its own dates. Places go fast. For example, the REFLETS centre gave a waiting time of 1 to 2 months, depending on available places. Université Bordeaux Montaigne announced its next sessions for the 2026/2027 academic year.

Think about your whole timeline:

1. the time you need to prepare;
2. the time to get a place for the test;
3. the time to get the results;
4. the civic exam (examen civique), often required too;
5. the date you submit your application.

The certificate is valid for 2 years from the date the results are issued. So do not take the test too early if your application is not ready. But do not take it too late either: if you do not reach the level, you must wait 20 days before taking it again, then wait for the new results. To plan everything, including the civic exam, read Civic exam and TCF IRN: which order and what timeline.

How to register, step by step

1. Check your level. Our free TCF level test takes 5 minutes, with no account needed.
2. Choose a centre on the France Éducation international map.
3. Follow the centre’s procedure. It varies: a form sent by email and online card payment in Bordeaux, registration in person at the centre in Strasbourg.
4. Do you need adjustments? If you have a disability or a health problem, say so when you register. In Bordeaux, you must send a medical document 2 months before the test.
5. Receive your notice to attend (convocation) and read it carefully: place, time, documents required.
6. On test day, bring a valid passport or residence permit, as a paper original. Digital documents are not accepted. Your identity is checked and a photo of you is taken. The 4 sections take place on the same day. See our checklist TCF IRN test day.

Results and certificate

TCF IRN results arrive within 15 working days from when France Éducation international receives the test material. So the real waiting time from test day also depends on when the centre sends it. You find your results in your TCF-Candidat online account.

You get a certificate in PDF format, with a QR code. It is valid for 2 years from the date the results are issued. The end date is written on the certificate. For citizenship, service-public.gouv.fr asks for a certificate issued less than 2 years ago. Everything is explained in TCF IRN results: waiting time, certificate and validity.

The level you need depends on your application: A2, B1 or B2. See What level of French for your residence card or naturalisation.

What if you do not reach the level?

You can take the test again as many times as you want. You must wait 20 days between two attempts. The « 30 days » you may read on some websites is wrong.

Be careful: re-marking (recorrection) of writing and speaking has been suspended since the sessions of 1 September 2026. It is expected to restart in autumn 2027. So you cannot ask for your test to be marked again: you must take the test again. Use the 20 days to work on your weakest section. See Retaking the TCF IRN after 20 days.

Prepare well before you pay for the test

The test is expensive, so it is better to take it when you are ready. To understand how it works, read The 4 sections of the TCF IRN explained. To practise, our TCF IRN preparation covers the 4 sections, with timed mock exams and correction of your texts. See the plans, from €24.90. One-time payment, no subscription. No preparation can guarantee a result: what counts is your regular work.

Do you also have the civic exam? See our article Where to take the civic exam in 2026 (in French) and the civic exam + TCF pack.

Frequently asked questions

Is the TCF IRN price the same everywhere?

No. Each centre sets its own price. According to the prefecture of Hérault, it is between €100 and €200. Check the centre’s website.

How long does it take to get the results?

Within 15 working days from when France Éducation international receives the test material. The centre must send this material first.

How long is the certificate valid?

2 years, from the date the results are issued. For a citizenship application, the certificate must have been issued less than 2 years ago.

Can I take the TCF IRN again?

Yes, as many times as you want, with 20 days of waiting between two attempts. Re-marking is suspended until autumn 2027 (expected restart).

What should I bring on test day?

A valid passport or residence permit, as a paper original, your notice to attend and a blue or black pen. The official sources do not all give the same list of documents: this is our safest advice.

Can I book my place for the test on Parcours Civique?

No. Parcours Civique is an independent practice website, not linked to France Éducation international. You register for the test with a centre approved by France Éducation international.

Sources

Facts checked on 30/09/2026 (prices checked on 28/09/2026).

• Paper or computer depending on the centre, results within 15 working days from receipt of the material, 2-year validity from the date results are issued, 20 days between two attempts, re-marking suspended since the sessions of 1 September 2026: France Éducation international, TCF IRN page (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.france-education-international.fr/test/tcf-irn?langue=fr
• 20 days between two attempts, identity documents, digital documents refused, photo: France Éducation international, candidate rights and duties (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.france-education-international.fr/article/droits-devoirs-candidat-tcf?langue=fr
• PDF certificate with QR code: France Éducation international, understanding my results (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.france-education-international.fr/article/comprendre-mes-resultats-au-tcf?langue=fr
• Identity checked with a valid residence permit or passport, same day in a single session, 2-year validity (residence permits): order of 22 December 2025 (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000053164506
• Price €150, online card payment, form by email, adjustments (medical document 2 months before), refund only for medical or work reasons with €40 in fees, next dates for the 2026/2027 academic year: Université Bordeaux Montaigne: https://formations.u-bordeaux-montaigne.fr/fr/catalogue-des-formations/tests-internationaux-de-langues-TLI/tcf-irn-test-de-connaissances-du-francais-integration-residence-et-nationalite-MD4MCJ7W.html
• « Between €100 and €200 », TCF valid for 2 years: prefecture of Hérault: https://www.herault.gouv.fr/Demarches/Demarches-etrangers-titres-de-sejour/Titres-de-sejour-et-documents-de-voyage/Demander-un-titre-de-sejour/Maitrise-de-la-langue/Conditions-d-obtention-d-un-titre-pluriannuel-ou-de-resident
• Price €174: CAVILAM, Vichy: https://www.cavilam.com/en/tcf-irn/
• Price €160 on paper and €200 on computer, waiting time 1 to 2 months, ID document compulsory, mouse and AZERTY keyboard skills required, certificate valid for 2 years: TCF IRN brochure of the REFLETS centre (31/10/2025): https://reflets.asso.fr/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Plaquette-TCF-IRN-2025-V16-31102025.pdf
• Registration in person, paper and computer sessions, cancellation conditions (6 weeks, €30 in fees): Alliance Française Strasbourg Europe: https://www.afstrasbourg.eu/inscription-tcf-irn/
• Record RS6643, certifying body France Éducation international, valid until 31/05/2027: France compétences: https://www.francecompetences.fr/recherche/rs/6643/
• CPF contribution of €150 since 2 April 2026 (decree no. 2026-234 of 30 March 2026), exception for jobseekers: Éditions Tissot: https://www.editions-tissot.fr/actualite/droit-du-travail/cpf-le-reste-a-charge-passe-a-150-euros-a-compter-du-2-avril-2026
• Check of an official identity document with photo, sections on the same day in a single session, 2-year validity (citizenship): order of 22 December 2025 (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000053164463
• TCF certificate issued less than 2 years ago (citizenship): service-public.gouv.fr: https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F11926
• More than 700 centres: TCF candidate handbook (Manuel du candidat TCF), France Éducation international, September 2026 version, p. 32 and 33 (PDF document)
• Map of test centres: France Éducation international (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.france-education-international.fr/centres-d-examen/carte?type-centre=tcf