B1 or B2 depends on your goal
Staatsexamen NT2 (Dutch as a second language state exam) tests B1 Dutch in Programma I (programme I) and B2 in Programma II (programme II). Choose the level your job, school or integration plan requires. You receive a diploma after passing all four parts of one programme. Each part costs €50 in 2026 (€200 for four). Follow the DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs, the Dutch education service) booking instructions (External site, opens in a new tab).
The language skills Staatsexamen NT2 tests
Both programmes test Lezen (reading), Luisteren (listening), Schrijven (writing) and Spreken (speaking). NT2 means Nederlands als tweede taal (Dutch as a second language). You can take Programma II directly; passing Programma I first is optional. The official exam overview (External site, opens in a new tab) explains the two programmes.
You take all four parts on a computer. Lezen also uses a paper text booklet.
The diploma can serve as proof for work, study, inburgering (civic integration) or naturalisation, subject to the rules for your goal.
Language levels for work, study and naturalisation
National rules set language levels for healthcare and childcare. Schools, universities and other employers set their own requirements. The table gives the rules.
The table uses mbo (secondary vocational education) and hbo (higher professional education). The BIG-register (register of healthcare professions) (External site, opens in a new tab) sets healthcare language levels. Its route guide (External site, opens in a new tab) distinguishes diplomas from the EU (European Union), EEA (European Economic Area) or Switzerland from diplomas obtained elsewhere. Check your route before choosing a test.
The healthcare rows apply to the verklaring van vakbekwaamheid (certificate of competence) route and to BIG registration. Recognition of European diplomas for professions outside the register has different evidence requirements, explained below. CNaVT (Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal, certificate of Dutch as a foreign language) taken abroad is an alternative to NT2 on the certificate-of-competence route.
You can scroll wide tables sideways.
| Your goal | Dutch level required | What proves it |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare in an mbo-level profession: verpleegkundige (nurse), verzorgende-IG (care worker), apothekersassistent (pharmacy assistant) | B1 | Certificate-of-competence route: Programma I or CNaVT abroad. European BIG registration: any test provider meeting the conditions. |
| Healthcare in an hbo-level profession: fysiotherapeut (physiotherapist), verloskundige (midwife), diëtist (dietitian), logopedist (speech therapist) | B2 | Certificate-of-competence route: Programma II or CNaVT abroad. European BIG registration: any test provider meeting the conditions. |
| Healthcare in an academic profession: arts (doctor), tandarts (dentist), apotheker (pharmacist), gezondheidszorgpsycholoog (healthcare psychologist) | B2+ (above B2, below C1) | NT2 reaches B2. Certificate-of-competence route: an institute accepted by BIG. European BIG registration: any provider meeting the B2+ conditions. |
| Childcare in dagopvang (day care) | B2 | The Luisteren and Spreken parts of Programma II. The full diploma also counts. |
| Childcare in buitenschoolse opvang (BSO, out-of-school care) | B1 | The Luisteren and Spreken parts of Programma I or Programma II. |
| Childcare in voorschoolse educatie (pre-school education) | B2 | The Lezen, Luisteren and Spreken parts of Programma II. This setting adds reading. |
| Study at mbo 3 or mbo 4 | No fixed level | National entry rules list diplomas or educational evidence. Programma I targets mbo 3 and mbo 4 study or work. |
| Study at hbo or university, taught in Dutch | Set by your programme | Often Programma II. Some programmes require a different test. Check before booking. |
| Inburgering on the B1-route (B1 learning route) or onderwijsroute (education route) | B1 or B2 in your plan | Programma I or II, as recorded in your integration plan. See the integration section below. |
| Naturalisation | A2 | The Programma I or Programma II diploma. Certificates for single parts do not count. |
Healthcare professions and accepted certificates
Healthcare professions have two forms of legal protection. A verpleegkundige, verloskundige, fysiotherapeut, arts, tandarts, apotheker or gezondheidszorgpsycholoog needs BIG registration. A verzorgende-IG, apothekersassistent, diëtist or logopedist has a protected training title (External site, opens in a new tab) and stays outside the register. After European diploma recognition (External site, opens in a new tab), you need Dutch-language evidence for BIG registration if your profession requires registration. The protected-title professions listed above stay outside the BIG-register. Check the requirements for your profession before booking a test.
On the certificate-of-competence route, B1 or B2 evidence must come from Staatsexamen NT2 or a CNaVT exam taken abroad. That route also requires proof of English reading, except for a verzorgende-IG. If you apply for BIG registration with an EU, EEA or Swiss diploma, you may choose any test provider that meets BIG’s conditions (External site, opens in a new tab).
Your certificate needs to show that you passed reading, listening, writing and speaking at the required level. It normally needs to be no more than two years old when you apply. BIG can accept an older certificate if you show that Dutch-language study or work kept your Dutch at the required level. Dutch school or professional qualifications can also count; check BIG’s evidence rules before booking a test.
The AKV-toets (Algemene kennis- en vaardighedentoets, general knowledge and skills test) ended on 1 January 2024. You now submit language certificates with your application. Under the language-certificate regulation (External site, opens in a new tab), an earlier AKV pass counted for two years from the last part passed. By October 2026, that period has ended for every pre-2024 pass.
Childcare language levels and accepted exam parts
Pedagogisch medewerkers (childcare workers) in dagopvang have needed B2 spoken Dutch since 1 January 2025. The childcare language rule (External site, opens in a new tab) covers gesprekken voeren (holding a conversation), Luisteren and Spreken. These are three skills, assessed through two NT2 exam parts. Programma II Luisteren and Spreken prove them, so you can book two parts instead of four.
BSO requires B1 spoken Dutch, which Programma I Luisteren and Spreken can prove.
Voorschoolse educatie requires 3F (Dutch reference level comparable to B2) spoken Dutch and reading. Programma II Lezen, Luisteren and Spreken count.
The official list of accepted childcare evidence (External site, opens in a new tab) also accepts full diplomas. These NT2 diplomas or certificates need to have been issued from 1 January 2001.
For dagopvang staff born on or before 31 December 1964, the spoken-language requirement starts on 1 January 2028. That extension applies to dagopvang, not voorschoolse educatie. The voorschoolse educatie requirement has applied to all its workers since 1 August 2019.
Study language levels and admission rules
Your school or university sets the Dutch requirement for admission. The higher-education law (External site, opens in a new tab) names no single exam or CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) level. It lets an institution require a foreign-diploma holder to prove enough Dutch to follow the programme. Its exam board judges that proof. The official NT2 diploma guidance (External site, opens in a new tab) confirms that the diploma alone does not guarantee admission.
For its Dutch-taught bachelor’s programmes, Universiteit Leiden (Leiden University) (External site, opens in a new tab) accepts Programma II for its Faculteit Wiskunde en Natuurwetenschappen (Faculty of Science) and LUMC (Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum, Leiden University Medical Center). Its other faculties accept the advanced Examen Nederlands TUL (Leiden language centre Dutch exam). All faculties also accept CNaVT Educatief Startbekwaam (ready to start higher education) or Educatief Professioneel (professional educational proficiency).
For admission to Dutch-taught bachelor’s programmes in 2027–2028, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU, Free University Amsterdam) (External site, opens in a new tab) accepts Programma II as Dutch-language proof for applicants with non-Dutch previous education. VU excludes Programma II for its Rechtsgeleerdheid (law) and Notarieel Recht (notarial law) programmes.
For VU’s Dutch-taught bachelor’s programmes, a Dutch vwo (pre-university secondary education) diploma already proves Dutch proficiency. Applicants with other Dutch diplomas, such as an hbo-propedeuse (first-year higher professional education certificate), may need Staatsexamen vo (secondary-school state exam) (External site, opens in a new tab) at vwo level in Nederlandse taal en literatuur (Dutch language and literature). Check VU’s Dutch-qualification guidance (External site, opens in a new tab), your admission decision and your programme’s requirements before booking.
The national mbo admission rules (External site, opens in a new tab) list previous diplomas or educational evidence, rather than a fixed Dutch level. Programma I targets mbo 3 or mbo 4 work and study.
Dutch is graded at the end of the course: 2F (Dutch reference level comparable to B1) for mbo 2 and mbo 3, and 3F for mbo 4. These are exit levels, as the official exam-board explanation (External site, opens in a new tab) confirms.
Naturalisation language level and NT2 proof
Naturalisation requires at least A2 Dutch in October 2026. Both Programma I and Programma II diplomas meet the language requirement. The IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst, Immigration and Naturalisation Service) evidence rules (External site, opens in a new tab) accept the full NT2 diploma. Certificates for single parts do not qualify as that diploma. This differs from the B1 target for the B1-route under Wet inburgering 2021 (Civic Integration Act 2021).
The government has proposed raising the naturalisation level to B1. Its July 2025 explanation of the proposal (External site, opens in a new tab) describes an algemene maatregel van rijksbestuur (Kingdom government decree). Such a change is not submitted to parliament for a vote. It can take effect no sooner than four weeks after publication in the Staatsblad (official law gazette). The current IND naturalisation conditions (External site, opens in a new tab) still state A2. Check them when you apply. See Staatsexamen NT2 for naturalisation for the full condition.
Staatsexamen NT2 for inburgering
Your gemeente (municipality) determines your integration route under Wet inburgering 2021. It records the route in the PIP (persoonlijk plan inburgering en participatie, personal integration and participation plan), which it draws up with you. If you follow the B1-route or onderwijsroute, your PIP states Programma I at B1 or Programma II at B2. Follow that programme when booking. Programma II can also serve a future study or work goal that requires B2.
If you follow the Z-route (self-reliance route), Staatsexamen NT2 is outside your route. The official integration explanation (External site, opens in a new tab) sets out these cases. For the other exams and route requirements, see which Dutch exam you need and the inburgeringsexamen (civic integration exam) overview.
If Wet inburgering 2013 (Civic Integration Act 2013) applies to you, you arrange your integration yourself. Your gemeente can help.
The four exam parts
Lezen and Luisteren test how well you understand Dutch. Schrijven and Spreken test how well you write and speak. These are the official exam timings and tasks (External site, opens in a new tab).
You can scroll wide tables sideways.
| Part | Time | Tasks and dictionary |
|---|---|---|
| Schrijven | 100 minutes | Type sentences and short texts. Programma II also has medium-length texts. Permitted dictionary allowed. |
| Spreken | About 25 minutes | Record short and medium answers. Programma II also has one long answer. No dictionary. |
| Lezen | I: 110 minutes; II: 100 minutes | Read a paper text booklet; answer multiple-choice questions on screen. Permitted dictionary allowed. |
| Luisteren | 90 minutes | Hear audio or video once; answer multiple-choice questions. No dictionary. |
For Lezen and Schrijven, the permitted dictionary is the Van Dale Pocketwoordenboek Nederlands als tweede taal (pocket dictionary of Dutch as a second language). Bring your own paper copy, without notes or inserted text. Other dictionaries and electronic aids are prohibited. You may use no dictionary for Luisteren or Spreken.
The official assessment rules (External site, opens in a new tab) set a converted score of 500 or higher to pass each part. A computer checks Lezen and Luisteren. Two trained assessors mark Schrijven and Spreken.
Exam fees, booking and locations
Each part costs €50 in 2026 (External site, opens in a new tab). If you are inburgeringsplichtig (required to complete civic integration), DUO may let you use an integration loan or a free attempt. The booking system shows the options available to you.
Registration opens about eight weeks before the exam. The official booking instructions (External site, opens in a new tab) explain where to find the opening date and time. Use these steps once you have confirmed your level and parts:
- Check the exam schedule for the opening date and time.
- Log in to Mijn DUO (your DUO account) with DigiD (digital identity). If you cannot obtain DigiD, use DUO’s registration option without it.
- Select your programme and parts.
- Choose a city, week, date and available time.
- Choose the payment option DUO offers you.
Exams take place in Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rijswijk, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Zwolle. After registration, DUO sends an oproepbrief (exam invitation letter) by email and post with the final place and time. Arrive 30 minutes before the exam starts. See the Staatsexamen NT2 registration guide for booking details.
Exam results, certificates and resits
The exam schedule gives your result date. On that date, results appear from 15:00 in Mijn DUO for DigiD users. DUO also sends them by email and post.
If you fail a part, you can book only that part again. DUO issues certificates for passed parts. You can request a certificate through Mijn diploma’s (online diploma register). You receive the diploma once you pass all four parts of Programma I, or all four parts of Programma II. If you passed the final part after 1 January 2021, DUO sends the diploma automatically. For earlier completions, ask DUO to exchange your certificates for the diploma. See DUO’s diploma and resit instructions (External site, opens in a new tab).
You can download a free uittreksel (digital extract) for a diploma or certificate obtained after 1 January 2011. Official NT2 certificates and diplomas remain valid indefinitely. BIG applications normally require language evidence no more than two years old, with the exceptions described above. See the official results and diploma instructions (External site, opens in a new tab).
Practice tasks for your programme
Start with the official NT2 practice environment (External site, opens in a new tab) to try the exam tasks before exam day. Use a computer or laptop. Practise each skill separately, then include the skills you need in a weekly plan. For Lezen and Schrijven, practise with the permitted paper dictionary. Try answering before you look up a word.
For extra practice from Inburgering.org, use the free B1 practice resources or free B2 practice resources. The free mock exam selector opens timed practice by skill and level. These are extra practice materials.
Your level and parts before booking
If you need an NT2 diploma for healthcare, study or naturalisation, book all four parts of the programme your goal accepts. For a healthcare profession that requires B2+, choose accepted B2+ evidence instead of NT2. If your childcare rule accepts part-certificates, book the required parts at the right level. If you are integrating under Wet inburgering 2021, follow your PIP.
Confirm the accepted proof before paying: two parts cost €100 in 2026, while four cost €200. Check any certificate-age limit for healthcare and your school’s language requirement. Administrative mistakes can prevent you from taking the exam. For example, without valid identification you cannot take it. Before booking, check the registration rules, result date and exam-day rules. Your oproepbrief gives the exam time; plan to arrive 30 minutes earlier.
Read these guides before booking:
- Author
- By Inburgering.org team
- Reviewer
- Reviewed by Kirill Svavolia
Official Sources
- Staatsexamens NT2 - Wat is het staatsexamen NT2? (External site, opens in a new tab) - official explanation of Programma I, Programma II, exam parts, diploma use and uittreksel.
- Staatsexamens NT2 - Inburgeren met het staatsexamen NT2 (External site, opens in a new tab) - how Staatsexamen NT2 fits the B1-route, onderwijsroute and Wet inburgering 2013/2021.
- Staatsexamens NT2 - Hoe ziet het examen eruit? (External site, opens in a new tab) - official format, timing, computer-based parts and dictionary rules.
- Staatsexamens NT2 - Aanmelden bij DUO (External site, opens in a new tab) - registration timing, MijnDUO, DigiD, cities, call letter and arrival time.
- Staatsexamens NT2 - Betalen bij DUO (External site, opens in a new tab) - official NT2 fee per component and payment options.
- Staatsexamens NT2 - Beoordeling examen (External site, opens in a new tab) - assessment method and minimum 500 score to pass a component.
- Staatsexamens NT2 - Uitslag via DUO (External site, opens in a new tab) - result route, certificates, diploma, uittreksel and unlimited validity.
- BIG-register - Nederlandse taalvaardigheid (verklaring van vakbekwaamheid) (External site, opens in a new tab) - the profession-specific B1, B2 and B2+ levels; accepted evidence on the certificate-of-competence route, including NT2 and qualifying CNaVT examinations abroad; the two-year certificate limit; and accepted B2+ institutes.
- BIG-register - Overzicht opleidingsniveaus beroepen (External site, opens in a new tab) - which BIG profession counts as mbo, hbo or academic, so which of the three Dutch levels applies.
- CBGV (Commissie Buitenslands Gediplomeerden Volksgezondheid, commission for foreign healthcare graduates) — language-certificate regulation (External site, opens in a new tab) - the regulation behind the BIG language levels: Programma I for mbo and Programma II for hbo on the certificate-of-competence route, the CNaVT exception, the two-year certificate rule and its waiver, and the end of the AKV-toets on 1 January 2024.
- Rijksoverheid (Government of the Netherlands) — Taaleis kinderopvang (childcare language requirement) (External site, opens in a new tab) - the 1 January 2025 start date, B2 spoken Dutch for dagopvang, B1 for BSO, reading for voorschoolse educatie and the 2028 date for staff born before 1965.
- Regeling Wet kinderopvang (Childcare Act Regulation, articles 7 and 9a) (External site, opens in a new tab) - the legal wording of the childcare language rule: the three spoken sub-skills and B2 for dagopvang in article 7, which names Staatsexamen NT2 Programma II and the Spreken and Luisteren certificates, B1 for BSO in article 9a, and the exemptions.
- Staatsexamens NT2 - Hoe gebruik je het diploma? (External site, opens in a new tab) - that schools and universities set their own admission requirements, so the NT2 diploma does not admit you automatically.
- Staatsexamens NT2 - Vragen van docenten (External site, opens in a new tab) - the comparison of B1 with 2F and B2 with 3F, and the Dutch exit levels for mbo 2, mbo 3 and mbo 4.
- Wet op het hoger onderwijs en wetenschappelijk onderzoek (Higher Education and Research Act, article 7.28) (External site, opens in a new tab) - higher-education law names no exam and no language level; it lets an institution ask a holder of a foreign diploma for proof of Dutch, judged by its own exam board.
- Universiteit Leiden - Taaleisen bacheloropleidingen (External site, opens in a new tab) - accepted Dutch-language evidence for Dutch-taught bachelor’s programmes, including faculty-specific exams and alternative certificates.
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - Language proficiency requirements (External site, opens in a new tab) - Dutch-taught bachelor’s admission in 2027–2028: Programma II evidence for applicants with non-Dutch previous education, law and notarial law exclusions, and different rules for Dutch diplomas.
- IND - Nederlander worden door naturalisatie (External site, opens in a new tab) - the A2 language condition for naturalisation as it stands today.
- Besluit naturalisatietoets (Naturalisation Test Decree) (External site, opens in a new tab) - A2 in law, and the Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I and Programma II diplomas as qualifying results.
- Staatsexamenbesluit Nederlands als tweede taal (Dutch as a Second Language State Exam Decree, article 16) (External site, opens in a new tab) - the diploma is issued for passing one programme's exam, a certificate is issued for each part passed, and the diploma also follows from holding certificates for every part.
- BIG-register - Nederlandse taalvaardigheid (automatische erkenning, EU and EEA diplomas) (External site, opens in a new tab) - European BIG-registration language levels, provider choice, four assessed skills, certificate age and alternatives to a test.
- BIG-register - Beroepen zonder BIG-registratie (article 34) (External site, opens in a new tab) - which healthcare professions hold a protected training title instead of entering the register, including verzorgende-IG, apothekersassistent, diëtist and logopedist.
- Rijksoverheid — accepted childcare language evidence (External site, opens in a new tab) - the official catalogue of accepted evidence for childcare, including which Staatsexamen NT2 programmes and part-certificates count for dagopvang, BSO and voorschoolse educatie.
- Wet educatie en beroepsonderwijs (Education and Vocational Education Act, article 8.2.1) (External site, opens in a new tab) - mbo admission requirements are diplomas; the article sets no Dutch language level for entry.
- Staatsexamens NT2 — official practice environment (External site, opens in a new tab) - Official practice tasks and the requirement to use a computer or laptop.
- IND — inburgering for naturalisation (External site, opens in a new tab) - Current A2 requirement and acceptance of a full Programma I or Programma II diploma.
- Government answer to parliament — proposed B1 naturalisation level (External site, opens in a new tab) - July 2025 proposal, government-decree procedure and minimum four weeks between gazette publication and commencement.
- BIG-register — professions requiring registration (External site, opens in a new tab) - The healthcare professions that must enter the register.
- BIG-register — recognition routes for foreign diplomas (External site, opens in a new tab) - Which procedure applies, including EU, EEA and Swiss diplomas.
- BIG-register — language evidence after European professional recognition (External site, opens in a new tab) - Dutch-language proof for professions requiring BIG registration after recognition.
- DUO — diplomas and resits (External site, opens in a new tab) - Optional resits, diploma delivery for post-2021 completions, earlier certificate exchange and the digital-register date limit.
- BIG-register — European automatic recognition and registration (External site, opens in a new tab) - Qualifying EEA and Swiss diplomas and the language-evidence condition for direct registration.
- DUO — Staatsexamen vo (secondary-school state exam) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Official overview and links to registration and subject information for secondary-school state exams.
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam — Voldoen aan taaleisen (meeting language requirements) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Dutch-language guidance on accepted evidence and the admission decision, including the conditional exam requirement for other Dutch qualifications.
- Staatsexamens NT2 — Wat moet ik meenemen? (what should I bring?) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Required valid identification and exam invitation; candidates without valid identification cannot take the exam.