If you’re preparing for the CILS, maybe the B1 Cittadinanza for your Italian citizenship application, one of the first practical questions is simple: where can I actually take it? Many of my students ask me this before they even open a textbook, so I keep this list up to date for you.
The CILS is set and marked by the Università per Stranieri di Siena, but you can’t take it online and you don’t register with Siena. You sit the exam in person, at one of the accredited CILS exam centers, and you register directly with that center.
In short
- The CILS is taken in person at an accredited center. There is no online version.
- You register and pay with the center, not with the University of Siena.
- The next session is on 18 February 2027 (B1 Cittadinanza and A2 Integrazione). Register by 18 January 2027.
- Each center sets its own fee and decides which sessions and levels it runs.
How to book your CILS exam in 4 steps
- Choose your level. Most people applying for citizenship need B1 Cittadinanza. Not sure? Read my guides to A1, A2, B1 and B2.
- Find a center near you in the lists below, or in the official list of CILS exam centers.
- Contact the center. Ask which sessions and levels they offer, the fee, and their own registration deadline, because it can be earlier than the official one.
- Register and pay before the deadline, then plan your study time backwards from the exam date.
CILS Exam Dates 2026-2027
Not every level runs at every session. June and December are the big sessions, with all levels. B1 Cittadinanza is the most flexible: it runs six times a year.
| Exam date | Registration deadline | Levels offered |
|---|---|---|
| 3 December 2026 | 24 October 2026 (closed) | All levels (A1 to C2) |
| 18 February 2027 | 18 January 2027 | B1 Cittadinanza, A2 Integrazione |
| 8 April 2027 | 8 March 2027 | A2, B1 Cittadinanza, B2, C1 (medical residents only) |
| 10 June 2027 | 1 May 2027 | All levels (A1 to C2) |
| 22 July 2027 | 22 June 2027 | B1 Cittadinanza, A2 Integrazione |
| 21 October 2027 | 21 September 2027 | A2, B1 Cittadinanza |
| 2 December 2027 | 23 October 2027 | All levels (A1 to C2) |
CILS Exam Centers in the United States
- Austin, TX: The University of Texas at Austin
- Chicago, IL: Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Chicago, DePaul University and Loyola University Chicago
- Fort Lauderdale, FL: Dante in Linea
- Houston, TX: Bellaire High School (Houston ISD)
- Los Angeles, CA: Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Los Angeles and Benjamin Franklin Magnet School (Glendale)
- New York, NY: Istituto Italiano di Cultura di New York and SpeakItaly NYC
- West Caldwell, NJ: The Language Institute
- Philadelphia, PA: America Italy Society of Philadelphia
- Pittsburgh, PA: Mondo Italiano Centro di Cultura Italiana
- San Diego, CA: Italian Cultural Center of San Diego
- San Francisco, CA: Istituto Italiano di Cultura di San Francisco
- Washington, DC: Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Washington
Official list for the United States: cils.unistrasi.it
CILS Exam Centers in Canada
- Calgary, AB: University of Calgary (Department of French, Italian and Spanish)
- Montreal, QC: Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Montréal
- Toronto, ON: Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Toronto
- Vancouver, BC: Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada West
Official list for Canada: cils.unistrasi.it
CILS Exam Centers in the United Kingdom
- London: SIAL La Scuola Italiana a Londra, Vivere l’Italiano, Just Speak Italian, Parlando Italiano (My Italian Lessons) and International House London
- Birmingham: Istituto B1 Michelangelo
- Cardiff: Cardiff University (School of Modern Languages)
- Coventry: Coventry University (World Languages)
- Durham: Durham University (Department of Italian)
Official list for the United Kingdom: cils.unistrasi.it
CILS Exam Centers in Ireland
- Dublin: Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Dublino
- Cork: University College Cork (Department of Italian)
- Galway: University of Galway (School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures)
Official list for Ireland: cils.unistrasi.it
CILS Exam Centers in Australia
- Melbourne, VIC: Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Melbourne
- Sydney, NSW: Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Sydney, Co.As.It. Sydney and CNA Italian Australian Services and Welfare Centre (West Hoxton)
- Brisbane, QLD: Co.As.It. Italian Language Centre (Lutwyche)
New Zealand: at the moment there is no CILS center in New Zealand on the official list. The closest options are in Australia.
Official list for Australia: cils.unistrasi.it
CILS Exam Centers in Dubai (UAE)
- Dubai: Eton Institute and Lingyra Language Training
Official list for Dubai: cils.unistrasi.it
CILS Exam Centers in Italy
There are hundreds of CILS centers in Italy. If you’re planning a study trip, here are some well-known schools and universities that are on the official list:
- Rome: Scuola Leonardo da Vinci
- Milan: Scuola Leonardo da Vinci
- Florence: Centro di Cultura per Stranieri (Università di Firenze), Scuola Leonardo da Vinci and Accademia Europea di Firenze
- Siena: Università per Stranieri di Siena (CILS Center)
- Venice: Ca’ Foscari School for International Education
- Pavia: Università di Pavia (Centro Linguistico)
- Bagnacavallo (Ravenna): Scuola Palazzo Malvisi
- Friuli Venezia Giulia: Piccola Università Italiana
- Catania: Università di Catania
- Palermo: Scuola di Lingua Italiana per Stranieri (Università di Palermo)
- Siracusa: The Italian Academy
For all centers in Italy, choose your region in the official list of CILS exam centers.
How much does the CILS exam cost?
There is no single price. Each center sets its own fee, which depends on the level and on the country. Ask the center for the current fee before you register, and check whether it includes the exam only or a preparation course too.
Get ready for exam day
Booking the exam is the easy part. The hard part is arriving calm, with your reading, listening and writing skills ready. On Italian Pills you can find free guides to every section of the B1 Cittadinanza, like the listening test and the speaking test.
And if you’re at A1 or A2 level, short stories are a gentle way to build the reading skills you need. I list my A1 readers in the CILS A1 guide.
FAQ
Can I take the CILS exam online?
No. The CILS is only taken in person, at an accredited exam center, on the official exam dates.
Which CILS level do I need for Italian citizenship?
You need a B1 certificate. The CILS UNO B1 Cittadinanza was created for this, and it runs six times a year. Read my complete guide to the CILS B1 Cittadinanza.
Do I register with the University of Siena?
No. You register with the exam center you choose. The center sends your registration to Siena, where the exams are marked.
When is the next CILS exam?
The next session is on 18 February 2027 (B1 Cittadinanza and A2 Integrazione). The next session with all levels is on 10 June 2027, with registrations closing on 1 May 2027.
Last checked: October 2026, against the official list of the Università per Stranieri di Siena. Centers can change, so always confirm with the center directly.
