TCF Integration, Residence and Nationality

Description of the exam

The TCF IRN (Integration, Residence, and Nationality) exam is designed in accordance with the guidelines of the French Ministry of the Interior, which define the various levels of French proficiency required for certain administrative procedures:

Level B1: required to obtain a long-term residence permit.
Level B2: required to obtain the French nationality.
The TCF IRN can also be used to validate level A1 or A2.

⚠️ The TCF IRN exam certificate is valid for 2 years.
Only one copy will be issued to you, so it is advisable to keep a copy for your records.

This exam is eligible for funding through the Personal Training Account (CPF), provided it is combined with at least 7 hours of French language training.

👉 Register with your CPF account

Who can take the exam?

Any foreigner over 16 years old wishing to validate their level of French.

Why take the exam?

Prove your level of French in the context of the OFII citizenship programme.
Prove your level of French for a first application for a long-term resident card (valid for 10 years) or for a card bearing the mention "long-term resident - EU".
Proof of your level of French as part of an application to acquire French nationality.
Have a request for training in French validated under the Compte Personnel de Formation (CPF).

How does the exam take place?

Listening comprehension (20 minutes)
Reading comprehension (35 minutes)
Written expression (30 minutes)
Oral expression (10 minutes)

Preparing for the exam

The Alliance Française in Bordeaux offers a two-hour workshop to enable candidates to take the test in the best possible conditions, helping them to familiarise themselves with the different parts of the exam.

The workshop takes place one week before the exam. To participate, tick the box on the registration form and pay the additional €20 when making your payment.

Detailed description of the workshop

The France Education International website also offers examples of tests, a bibliography and a sitography.