CILS Exam Locations: Where to Take the CILS Exam Worldwide (Complete List by Country)
- Tiffany
- Apr 10
- 3 min read
You have decided which CILS exam you need. Now you need to find a place to actually take it. Not all CILS exams are offered everywhere. If you need the A2 Integrazione or B1 Cittadinanza, your options are more limited than you might expect.
Here is everything you need to know about CILS exam locations and which countries have testing centers.
Where to Take the A2 Integrazione Exam
The A2 Integrazione exam is only offered within Italy. There are no international testing sites. If you need this exam to renew your permesso di soggiorno, you must take it at an authorized CILS exam center in Italy.
Where to Take the B1 Cittadinanza Exam
The B1 Cittadinanza exam is available at every authorized CILS testing center in Italy. Outside of Italy, B1 Cittadinanza is harder to find. Many Italian Cultural Institutes and authorized centers have quietly stopped offering it in recent years. You may need to travel to a different city to find a center that offers it. For example, Sydney offers B1 Cittadinanza but Melbourne does not.
Where to Take Standard CILS Exams
The standard A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2 exams are offered at CILS centers around the world.
CILS Exam Centers in Italy
If you are taking your exam in Italy, you will have the most choices. There are authorized CILS exam centers in every region. Major cities like Rome, Milan, Turin, Florence, Bologna, Naples, and Palermo all have multiple testing sites. Smaller cities and towns often have at least one authorized center within an hour of travel time.
CILS Exam Locations Outside Italy
Here is a breakdown of where CILS exam centers are located around the world...
CILS Exam Centers in Europe
CILS exam centers are available in the following European countries: Austria, Albania, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, and Hungary.
Major cities with CILS testing centers include London, Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Vienna, Brussels, Athens, Amsterdam, Warsaw, and Zurich.
CILS Exam Centers in North America
The United States and Canada both have multiple CILS exam centers. In the United States, you can find authorized CILS testing centers in cities including New York, Philadelphia, Austin, Los Angeles, and Chicago. In Canada, major cities like Toronto and Montreal have exam centers.
CILS Exam Centers in Central and South America
CILS centers are available in the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Major cities with exam centers include Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Mexico City, and Santiago.
CILS Exam Centers in Asia
CILS exam centers exist in multiple Asian countries including China, Japan, South Korea, India, and Thailand. Major cities like Bangkok, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, and Mumbai have CILS testing centers.
CILS Exam Centers in Africa and the Middle East
CILS centers exist in select African and Middle Eastern countries, but options are more limited.
CILS Exam Centers in Australia and New Zealand
Both Australia and New Zealand have CILS exam centers, typically in Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland.
How to Find Your Nearest CILS Exam Center
Start with the official University for Foreigners of Siena lists:
Find the centers closest to you, then contact them directly by phone or email to confirm which exam types they offer and when their next exam session is.
What You Need to Know Before You Register
Not every center offers every exam type. Contact the center directly to confirm they offer the specific exam you need before making travel plans. Individual centers can choose which exam levels to offer and which exam dates to participate in.
If you need the A2 Integrazione, you must take it in Italy. If you need the B1 Cittadinanza and your nearest center does not offer it, check nearby cities and regional centers.
Preparing for the CILS Exam
Ready Set Italia offers exam prep programs designed specifically for English speakers:
B1 Standard - For university admission or employment certification
B1 Cittadinanza - For Italian citizenship applications
A2 Integrazione - For long-term residency permit renewal
Learn more at readysetitalia.com.
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