Dutch language certification

From visa and residence permit applications to university admissions and citizenship requirements, there are many reasons why expats in the Netherlands might require Dutch language certification. There are a few different kinds of certification for the Dutch language, depending on whether someone is already in the Netherlands or still abroad, as this page explains.

Types of certification for the Dutch language

There are two major types of Dutch language certification. One is intended for those who are certifying their Dutch language ability abroad, while the other two are for people who are already living in the Netherlands:

CNaVT - For those living abroad, certification in Dutch language is available via the Dutch as a Foreign Language Certificate (Certificate Nederlands als Vreemde Taal)
Staatsexamen Nt2 - For people who have moved to the Netherlands, certification in Dutch is via the State exams for Dutch as a second language (Staatsexamen Nederlands als Tweede Taal).

CNaVT - Dutch as a Foreign Language Certificate

The Dutch as a Foreign Language Certificate or CNaVT (Certificate Nederlands als Vreemde Taal) is the certificate for people outside the Netherlands who wish to learn Dutch. This certificate may be required in order to apply for a Dutch residence permit or Dutch citizenship.

The CNaVT is awarded jointly by the Dutch Language Union, the University of Leuven and Fontys University of Applied Sciences.

CNaVT programmes

There are five different levels of exams, all suitable for different purposes.

PTIT

PTIT (Profiel Toeristische en Informele Taalvaardigheid) or tourist and informal language proficiency is an A2 level course for those wanting to speak some Dutch, travel in a Dutch-speaking area or communicate with Dutch-speaking tourists in a non-professional context in their own country.

PMT

PMT (Profiel Maatschappelijke Taalvaardigheid) or societal language proficiency is a B1 level course for those with an interest in the Dutch language and culture or who want to live in the Netherlands or Belgium for an extended period of time.

PPT

PPT (Profiel Professionele Taalvaardigheid) or professional language proficiency is a B2 level certificate for those who would like to work in an administrative or service-oriented profession in Dutch.

PTHO

PTHO (Profiel Taalvaardigheid Hoger Onderwijs) or language proficiency higher education is a B2 level course for those who would like to study at a Dutch-speaking institute of higher education.

PAT

PAT (Profiel Academische Taalvaardigheid) or academic language proficiency is a C1 level certificate for those who have neared completion of their education in Dutch as a foreign language or for those who would like to teach Dutch as a foreign language. PAT is also for people who want to work in Dutch-speaking academia.

CNaVT Exams

The CNaVT is an annual exam held in the first half of May. The examiner (usually the student’s Dutch teacher) facilitates the exam in the candidate’s own country. Candidates need to register with the examiner, who sends the registration forms to the CNaVT-secretariat before March 20.

The CNaVT exam consists of three parts:

Part A, where the tasks are based on audio recordings.
Part B, which tests reading and writing proficiency.
Part C, which is an oral test based on a one-to-one conversation between teacher and student.

All the exams are sent to the University of Leuven, where trained examiners mark them in June. Candidates are informed of the results in July and receive a certificate if they have passed.

For more information and for sample exams visit the CNaVT website (in Dutch)

Staatsexamen Nt2 - State Examination of Dutch as a Second Language

The State Examination of Dutch as a Second Language (staatsexamen Nederlands als tweede taal - Nt2) is the national language exam for non-native adults who are learning Dutch as a second language. Obtaining the diploma enables you to show that you have sufficient command of Dutch to be able to work or study in the Netherlands. The exam is taken in the Netherlands.

You might need the Nt2 exam to be able to study or work in institutions and companies that require a certified level of Dutch, or to fulfil the requirements for a Dutch residence permit or Dutch citizenship.

If you are following the civic integration process on the B1 learning track or the education learning tracks (for people who arrived in the Netherlands after 2022), you will normally take the Nt2 Programme I to prove your Dutch language ability.

Staatsexamen programmes

There are two levels at which you can take the Nt2 exam:

Programme I (B1)
Programme II (B2)

You can choose to start straight away with Programme II, or to first do Programme I before attempting programme II.

Staatsexamen Nt2 Programme I

The Staatsexamen NT2 Programme I is for people who want to find a job in the Netherlands or study in Dutch for a secondary vocational education, the Dutch MBO level 3 or 4. That equates to working at an independent professional or vocational training (level 3) or in middle management or specialised profession (level 4). The NT2 Programma I examines candidates at CEFR level B1.

Staatsexamen Nt2 Programme II

The Staatsexamen Nt2 Programme II is necessary for people who wish to work or study at a Hogeschool (university of applied science) or one of the research universities in the Netherlands. The Nt2 Programme II examines candidates at CEFR level B2.

Staatsexamen Nt2 exams

Both Staatsexamen Nt2 certifications require different exams, each consisting of four sections: reading, listening, writing and speaking. You need to pass all four sections to pass the Nt2 exam.

Writing (schrijven)

The Writing (Schrijven) exam is 120 minutes, broken into two sections. In the first section, candidates type responses directly into the computer, while for the second they must write their answers by hand in a book. Questions require both short (one or two sentences) and long (up to 150 words) answers.

Speaking (spreken)

The speaking (spreken) exam takes around 30 minutes. Candidates must speak into the computer through the headset, responding to scenarios that are explained on the screen. Staatsexamen Nt2 Programme I has two sections, while Programme II has three, and both consist of short and longer answers.

Reading (lezen)

The reading (lezen) exam is 110 minutes for Programme I or 100 minutes for Programme II. Candidates read sections of text in a book and answer multiple choice questions on the computer.

Listening (luisteren)

The listening (luisteren) exam takes around 60 minutes. Candidates listen to sections of conversation on the computer and answer one question per section.

Dictionaries

For the writing and reading exams, candidates are permitted to bring in three dictionaries:

Dutch to native language
Native language to Dutch
Dutch to Dutch

Note that no extra pieces of paper or handwriting are permitted in the dictionaries. All candidates' dictionaries are checked before each exam.

Staatsexamen Nt2 marking

Each Nt2 exam is scored between 100 and 900 points, with a pass mark being a minimum of 500 points. Scores below 300 and above 600 are very rare.

Reading & listening

As multiple choice exams, the criteria for marking reading (lezen) and listening (luisteren) exams are straightforward, as there is only one correct answer per question.

Writing

The writing (schrijven) exam is marked firstly on the basis of the content, namely that it is adequate. This means that it is legible, written in Dutch and contains the correct information, which is set out logically.

The text should also be addressed to the correct person or people and perform the correct function (i.e. as a letter of complaint or an email to colleagues, and so on). Texts are then judged on grammar, such as correct word order and use of verbs and prepositions. Words are also judged on being used and spelled correctly.

Speaking

In the speaking (spreken) exam, candidates must understand the text and speak in Dutch. Answers are assessed for being logical and on the correct use of grammar, as in the writing exam. Lastly, marks are given for correct pronunciation, pace (i.e. not too slow) and logical consistency.

Staatsexamen Nt2 results

The results for both Nt2 Programme I and II exams are published online on the Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO) departmental website five weeks after the exam. Candidates need their exam number (examennummer) to find the results. The results are also sent by mail the following week.

The mark is either "satisfactory" (voldoende) or "unsatisfactory" (onvoldoende). Candidates receive a certificate for each exam they pass, and if all four exams are passed at the same time, candidates receive a diploma.

It is possible to re-sit any exam that was failed (or all of them). Once all four exams have been passed, candidates can exchange their four certificates for the Diploma Nt2 at the DUO. For more information, check the College voor Examens website (in Dutch).

Staatsexamen NT2 exam tips

Here are some useful tips to keep in mind, whether you are taking the Programme I or Programme II exams:

The first, and most important tip, is that there is generally never enough time. Unless you are extremely proficient in Dutch, the 15-minute warning comes all too fast. That means you should not waste too much time looking up words in the dictionary. Try to read or write as much as you can without needing to use a dictionary.
Many language schools offer exam training, either as part of a course or separately. It is a good idea to do the training, as candidates can practise the listening and speaking scenarios and learn the best way to read texts.
Candidates must bring correct photo identification with them to the exam, either a passport or a driving licence.

Dutch language proficiency levels

Both the NT2 and CNaVT certificates teach to levels specified in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR):

Level A (basic user)

Split into A1 (beginner) and A2 (elementary), Level A is the most basic level of Dutch language ability.

Level B (independent user)

Level B is divided into B1 (intermediate) and B2 (upper intermediate). You will take your Nt2 exam at either level B1 or B2.

Level C (proficient user)

The most advanced level, Level C, is split between C1 (advanced) and C2 (proficient).

Necessary hours of study per level

The hours of guided study (classes and homework) needed to attain different levels of proficiencies will vary person to person, especially if the student’s native language is very different to Dutch. Nevertheless there are general guides as to how long it takes to progress, according to Alliance Français and Cambridge ESOL estimates:

A1 proficiency: 60-100 hours
A2 proficiency: 180-200 hours
B1 proficiency: 350-400 hours
B2 proficiency: 500-650 hours
C1 proficiency: 700-900 hours
C2 proficiency: 1.000-1.200 hours

Dutch courses & certification

There are many Dutch language courses in the Netherlands that prepare students for the Staatsexamen Nt2.

For students who are abroad and want to undertake a CNaVT course, here is a list by country of institutions that hold the exams.

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