Where to take the civic exam in France: approved centers and registration
The civic exam is taken at an approved center, not at home and not at the prefecture. Here is how to find a CCIP or FEI center and register.
'Where do I take the civic exam?' is one of the most common questions since January 1, 2026. The test is not held at your prefecture or from home: it takes place in person at a center approved by the Ministry of the Interior.
Organization is delegated to two authorized bodies — the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI Paris Île-de-France, often called CCIP) and France Éducation International (FEI) — which run a network of centers across metropolitan France and overseas territories.
The official reference website
Everything starts at formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr, run by the Ministry of the Interior. The general information page on the civic exam lists approved bodies, registration procedures, and preparation resources.
The two approved organizations: CCIP and FEI
Two bodies run the digital civic exam at approved centers:
- the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI Paris Île-de-France / CCIP), through Le français des affaires, with centers across France;
- France Éducation International (FEI), which runs the exam at its network of approved centers.
The civic exam is not taken at home or at the prefecture
The formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr portal is for information and preparation — not for taking the test online from home. Private prep platforms (like Alice) complement official resources but do not issue the ministry certificate.
Your prefecture appointment comes after you pass the exam and obtain the pass certificate at an approved center.
Practical registration steps
To register, follow these steps in order. Before completing an FEI pre-registration, read the official candidate information:
- choose the exam category matching your procedure (multi-year permit, resident card, naturalization or reinstatement by decree);
- visit formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr for official information and registration links;
- find an approved center near you through CCI Paris Île-de-France (CCIP) or France Éducation International (FEI);
- check available dates and slots with your chosen center;
- register online or contact the center to complete your registration;
- prepare a valid ID or residence permit for exam day;
- attend the session at the approved center on the scheduled date.
On exam day
The test is in person on a tablet or computer in a supervised room. Maximum duration: 45 minutes for 40 multiple-choice questions.
Rules under the October 10, 2025 order are strict: phones, smartwatches, and communication between candidates are prohibited. Fraud can result in a two-year ban from retaking the exam.
After the exam: pass certificate
Results are usually emailed within 24–48 hours with a secure link to download the pass certificate. This official document has no expiry date and must be attached to your prefecture application.
Frequently asked questions
- Where do I take the civic exam in France?
- The exam is taken at a center approved by the Ministry of the Interior, organized by CCI Paris Île-de-France (CCIP) or France Éducation International (FEI). It is not taken at home or at the prefecture.
- Can I take the civic exam online from home?
- No. The formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr portal is for preparation, but the official test takes place in person at an approved center.
- How do I register for the civic exam?
- Choose your exam category on formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr, find a CCIP or FEI center, check available dates, register online or contact the center, then attend with valid ID.
In short: visit formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr, choose your exam category, register with a CCIP or FEI approved center, and prepare before exam day.
Alice supports your preparation with quizzes, timed mock exams, and detailed explanations — so you arrive confident at the approved center on the day of your civic exam.