Overview
CILS (Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera) is run by the Centro CILS of the Università per Stranieri di Siena. The system covers all six CEFR levels. Each level is independent and complete, so you do not have to pass a lower level first. Exams are held at partner centres in Italy and abroad, and Italian Cultural Institutes abroad and other local contacts coordinate them. The certificate has no expiry date at present, according to the CILS FAQ.
Who can apply
Foreign citizens and Italian citizens living abroad can take CILS, at any age. You need no particular qualification and do not need to have passed a lower CILS level.
Levels or stages
| CEFR | CILS level |
|---|---|
| A1 | CILS A1 |
| A2 | CILS A2 |
| B1 | CILS UNO-B1 (also B1 A and B1 C modules) |
| B2 | CILS DUE-B2 |
| C1 | CILS TRE-C1 |
| C2 | CILS QUATTRO-C2 |
A1 and A2 also have special modules: children, adolescents and integration in Italy, as well as the standard adult exam. B1 has an adolescents module and a citizenship module, and B2 has an adolescents module.
Exam pattern
CILS exams use real-life tasks and test listening, reading comprehension, writing, speaking and the ability to handle communication structures (grammar in use). The mix includes objective, semi-open and open tasks. Written parts and a single oral test are given as follows, with the oral test taking about 10 minutes at most levels.
| Level | Listening | Reading | Communication structures | Writing | Total written |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 standard | 30 min | 30 min | 30 min | 30 min | about 2 h 15 min |
| A2 standard | 30 min | 40 min | 40 min | 40 min | about 2 h 45 min |
| UNO-B1 | 30 min | 50 min | 1 h | 1 h 10 min | about 3 h 45 min |
| DUE-B2 | 30 min | 50 min | 1 h | 1 h 10 min | about 3 h 45 min |
| TRE-C1 | 40 min | 1 h 10 min | 1 h 15 min | 1 h 30 min | about 4 h 50 min |
| QUATTRO-C2 | 50 min | 1 h 20 min | 1 h 30 min | 1 h 30 min | about 5 h 25 min |
The written total includes a 15-minute break. The oral test is about 10 minutes at A1 to DUE-B2 and 15 minutes at TRE-C1 and QUATTRO-C2. The adolescents modules at A1, A2 and B1 follow the standard timings. The children and integration modules at A1 and A2, and the B1 citizenship module, are shorter; for example the B1 citizenship written part takes about 2 h 05 min and the oral part 10 minutes.
Important dates
For 2026, the Centro CILS lists these sessions with registration deadlines.
| Session | Register by |
|---|---|
| 19 February | 19 January |
| 14 April | 14 March |
| 16 June | 7 May |
| 22 July | 22 June |
| 21 October | 21 September |
| 3 December | 24 October |
Not every level is offered on every date. In 2026, A1 standard, B1 standard, C1 and C2 are offered in June and December (C1 also on 14 April, for medical specialists only). A2 standard is offered in April, June, October and December, and B2 standard in April, June and December. The integration and citizenship modules run more often, for example A2 integration on all six dates.
The 2027 calendar is also published. Its sessions are 18 February, 8 April, 10 June, 22 July, 21 October and 2 December, with registration closing on 18 January, 8 March, 1 May, 22 June, 21 September and 23 October.
How to apply
Choose an exam centre in Italy or abroad from the centre list on the Centro CILS site, contact it directly and follow its instructions. The Siena centre has its own registration procedure. The CILS site states no fee, so ask your centre. Results are checked on the CILS site with your candidate number and date of birth, and the certificate is collected at the centre where you sat the exam.
Preparation tips
Practise sample papers published on the Centro CILS site.
Work on all five parts, since the communication structures paper is separate from reading.
Do I need to pass A2 before taking B1?
No. Each CILS level is autonomous and complete, so you choose the level that fits your Italian.