Last updated: October 25, 2026 · Checked against service-public.fr
You don’t take the French civic exam at the prefecture. You book it yourself, online, with a private or public exam center approved by the State, and you pay the center directly.
This page covers how that works, what it costs, and the mistake that makes people book the wrong exam.
Who runs the exam
Two networks are approved to run the civic exam in France:
- The Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI Paris Île-de-France), through its French language testing brand, Le français des affaires. Its approved centers are listed on a map.
- France Éducation International (FEI), a public body that also runs the DELF and DALF language diplomas. You pre-register on its platform, test-civique.fr, then the center contacts you with dates.
Both give you the same certificate. The questions, the 45 minutes and the 32/40 pass mark don’t change with the center.
You can pick any approved center in France. It doesn’t have to be in your department or near your prefecture. If the nearest one is fully booked, look one city over.
How to register, step by step
- Pick the right version. When you register, you choose a “mention”. For citizenship, it’s Naturalisation. Choosing the residence permit version by mistake is the most expensive error on this page, because that certificate won’t count for your application. If you’re unsure, read which civic exam you need.
- Choose a center and a date. Through the CCI map or the FEI pre-registration platform.
- Pay the center when you confirm your slot.
- Read the convocation. The center sends you its rules and what to bring. Bring a valid ID document with a photo, and check whether the center asks for anything else.
- Ask for accommodations now, not on the day. If you have a disability or a health condition, you need a medical certificate stating what you need. See exemptions and accommodations.
How much the civic exam costs
Each center sets its own price. Service-public.fr doesn’t publish a national fee.
In a written answer published in the Journal officiel on August 11, 2026, the government put the usual range at €60 to €80, with each center setting its price freely. Some centers charge more. Check the exact price on the center’s page before you book, and check what happens if you need to move your date.
Put that next to the rest of your budget: the naturalization tax stamp is €255 (€127.50 in French Guiana), and you’ll also pay for a B2 French test. Failing the civic exam means paying again, which is the best argument for training until you pass our practice test with a margin.
If you live outside France
Some people apply for reintegration or naturalization from abroad. In that case, service-public.fr says to contact an Institut français, an Alliance française or the French consular authorities in your country of residence to find out how to take the exam.
After the exam
The result is simple: 32 or more out of 40 is a pass. You receive a certificate (attestation de réussite), which you then add to your naturalization file.
For residence permits, service-public.fr states that the certificate has no expiry date. The naturalization page doesn’t say either way, so keep the original and a scan somewhere safe, and check the current rule before you file.
If you fail, you can book again. The rule to remember concerns fraud: anyone caught cheating or trying to cheat is banned from the exam for two years.
Our advice on timing
Book when you’re scoring above 32 in practice with the English translation switched off, not before. Centers often have waiting lists, so look at dates early, but don’t pay for a slot just to “see what it’s like”. It’s €60 or more per attempt.
Plan the civic exam alongside your B2 French test, since you need both certificates before you file. For the full picture of the exam, go back to the civic exam guide, and train with the big dates of French history and situational questions.
Planning your whole application? The free Starter Kit covers the civic exam, the B2 French rule and the document checklist. Send me the free PDF
Frequently asked questions
How much does the French civic exam cost?
Each approved center sets its own price. The government puts the usual range at €60 to €80, and some centers charge more.
Can I take the civic exam at my prefecture?
No. You take it in a center approved by CCI Paris Île-de-France or France Éducation International, and you book it yourself online.
Do I have to take it in my own department?
No. You can choose any approved center in France.
Which version should I choose for citizenship?
The “Naturalisation” mention. Certificates for a multi-year residence permit or a resident card don’t count for citizenship.