Overview
Concorso docenti is Italy's competitive public examination for recruiting teachers into state schools, run by the Ministero dell'Istruzione e del Merito through regional school offices (Uffici Scolastici Regionali). Separate concorso rounds are held for different teaching levels (infanzia, primaria, secondaria di primo e secondo grado) and for different entry pathways, including ordinary rounds and rounds tied to PNRR-funded teacher-training reform.
Who can apply
Candidates generally need the specific qualification required for the teaching post applied for: for primary and infant teaching, a Laurea in Scienze della Formazione Primaria; for secondary teaching, a relevant university degree (Laurea) plus the required teaching qualification credits (CFU/CFA) in pedagogical, psychological and didactic subjects, as set out in the specific bando di concorso.
Exam pattern
The process generally has a written test and an oral test, with the written test commonly computer-based and specific to the class of concorso (subject/grade). Candidates who pass the written test proceed to the oral test, which may include a lesson simulation. A period of supervised teaching practice (anno di prova/formazione) follows for candidates who win a post.
Syllabus
The syllabus for each concorso is specific to the teaching class (classe di concorso) applied for and is published in that round's official bando; it generally covers subject-specific content knowledge alongside pedagogy, teaching methodology and education law/regulations relevant to Italian schools.
How to apply
Applications are submitted online through the Ministry's dedicated concorso portal, within the window set out in the specific bando di concorso for that round and teaching class.
After the exam
Candidates who pass the concorso and are assigned a post begin a probationary year (anno di prova e formazione) combining classroom teaching with mentoring and training, before confirmation as a tenured (di ruolo) teacher.
Preparation tips
Because content, test format and required teaching-qualification credits differ by classe di concorso and by round (ordinary versus PNRR-linked), checking the specific bando for the class and round applied to — rather than assuming all concorso docenti rounds follow identical rules — is the first step before preparing.
Does the concorso docenti exam differ by subject?
Yes, the written and oral test content is specific to the teaching class (classe di concorso) applied for, published separately in each round's bando.
What happens after passing the concorso docenti?
Candidates assigned a post complete a probationary year combining classroom teaching with mentoring and training before being confirmed as a tenured teacher.