What is the DCL Certificate?

The DCL (Diplôme de Compétence en Langue) is a national French diploma created by the French Ministry of National Education. It is designed to assess practical language skills in professional contexts.

The DCL certifies real-world communication competence, rather than academic knowledge, and is used widely in employment, career development, and civil service applications.

It’s available for multiple modern languages, including French as a foreign language (DCL FLE). Get DCL certificate online

Versions of the DCL

The DCL is available in several languages:

DCL Version	Target Group	CEFR Levels Assessed
DCL FLE (Français Langue Étrangère)	Non-native speakers of French	A2 to C1
DCL Français Professionnel	Native French speakers in professional settings	B1 to C2
Other languages	English, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, etc.	Varies (A2 to C1)

The test is not level-specific, one test assesses multiple CEFR levels (adaptive scoring).

Exam Structure

Unique Integrated Assessment (3-hour simulation):

1. Case Study Analysis (60-90 mins)
   • Review professional documents (emails, reports, charts)
2. Oral Interaction (30-45 mins)
   • Simulated workplace meeting/discussion
3. Written Production (60 mins)
   • Create professional documents (replies, reports)
4. Listening Comprehension (integrated throughout)
5. Reading Comprehension (integrated throughout)

All components are interconnected through a single professional scenario.

Registration Process

1. Find an approved center (GRETA adult education centers in France, some Alliance Française locations abroad)
2. Choose a session (typically 4-6 annual sessions)
3. Submit:
   • Professional CV
   • Motivation letter (for some specializations)
   • ID proof
4. Pay fees (varies by location)

Cost

Location	Price Range
France	€150-€250
International	€200-€350

Some employers/OPCOs cover costs for employees.

Eligibility

• No formal prerequisites but recommended:
  • Minimum B1 level for professional versions
  • Relevant work experience helps
• Age: 18+ (16+ for some vocational versions)
• Open to non-native and native speakers

Results & Certification

• Results: 6-8 weeks post-exam
• Grading:
  • Levels A2 to C2 (CEFR)
  • Professional competency scale (1-5)
• Diploma: Issued by French Ministry of Education
• Validity: Lifetime
• Retakes: Possible after 6 months

Preparation Tips

1. Practice workplace document analysis
2. Simulate professional email exchanges
3. Study industry-specific terminology
4. Take mock scenario tests at GRETA centers

Get a valid DCL certificate online. Pass the DCL exam on the first attempt. Apply for a DCL certificate online. Get a DCL certificate online.

Why Choose the DCL?

• Official national diploma, recognized by the French government
• Adapted to real-life professional contexts
• Useful for:
  • Naturalization/citizenship
  • Employment applications
  • Public sector exams
• Provides flexibility, since one exam can certify multiple levels