Do language certificates expire? Validity of the main exams

Some language certificates last a lifetime. Others count for only two years. Knowing which is which can save you from paying twice. This list covers what each exam's official information states.

Updated · 5 min read

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16Word: the free English level test — A1 to B2 in about 8 minutes, no account needed

Exams that do not expire

ExamLanguageWhat the exam gives you
DELFFrenchA diploma from A1 to B2
DALFFrenchA diploma at C1 or C2
TestDaFGermanTDN 3 to TDN 5
YKIFinnishLevels 1 to 6

Sources: DELF, DALF, TestDaF and YKI.

Exams valid for two years

ExamLanguageResults
TOEFL iBTEnglishScore 1–6
PTE AcademicEnglishScore 10–90
TCFFrenchLevel A1–C2
TEFFrenchScore 0–699
HSKChineseLevels 1–9
TOPIKKoreanLevels 1–6

Sources: TOEFL, PTE, TCF, TEF, HSK and TOPIK.

IELTS: a recommended limit

IELTS gives two years as the recommended limit. The word "recommended" matters: the organisation reading your result may set its own rule.

Lifetime does not mean accepted forever

A certificate that never expires can still be turned down. A university or an authority may ask for a result from the last few years, whatever the certificate itself says. Always check the rule of the organisation you are applying to.

Exams not listed here

For other exams, the pages we read did not state a period. For those, ask the exam body directly. We prefer leaving them out to guessing.

How to use this

  1. If you want a long-term credential, consider a diploma that does not expire.
  2. If you need proof for one application soon, a two-year test can be perfectly good.
  3. Plan the date so that your result is still valid when your file is reviewed.

Prepare once, properly

Build the language behind the certificate, one small set of words at a time.

Keep exploring

Every exam below has its own preparation page on 16Word.

The other language exams

More guides on language exams

Related guides and free level tests

Language certificate validity: frequently asked questions

Which language certificates never expire?

Of the exams listed here, the DELF, DALF, TestDaF and YKI do not expire.

How long is IELTS valid?

IELTS gives two years as the recommended limit.

How long are TOEFL and PTE valid?

Two years.

Can an institution refuse an old certificate?

Yes. It can set its own rule, even for a certificate that does not expire.

Is my 16Word certificate an official certificate?

No. It records your progress in the app, but it does not replace an official exam.

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Official sources

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