How to Verify TEF and TCF Test Results
TEF Canada and TCF Canada are both officially accepted French-language tests for Canadian immigration. But if you receive a test result, how can you know whether it is authentic?
The verification process is different for TEF and TCF.
How to Verify a TCF Result
TCF results issued by France Éducation international include QR codes on the official attestation.
The larger QR code on the certificate is used to verify the authenticity of the results. When scanned, it should direct the user to the official France Éducation international verification website:
controle.france-education-international.fr
France Éducation international specifically recommends checking the website address carefully, as a fake QR code could potentially redirect to a similar-looking website.
TCF Canada and TCF Québec attestations use this system, making it relatively easy for a school, employer, consultant, or other organization to check whether the certificate is genuine.
Certain government organizations, including IRCC and Quebec’s MIFI, also have access to dedicated authentication systems for TCF results.
How the TCF QR Code Works
When verifying a TCF certificate, do not rely only on the appearance of the document.
Scan the official QR code and carefully check that the verification page belongs to the official France Éducation international domain.
If the QR code redirects to an unfamiliar or suspicious website, do not enter personal information or assume that the certificate is genuine.
What About TEF Canada?
TEF Canada works differently.
Official TEF results are issued by Le français des affaires of the Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI Paris Île-de-France).
The official TEF rules state that only results appearing on an official attestation issued by CCI Paris Île-de-France are considered valid. TEF certificates also contain identifying information such as the candidate’s photograph and signature collected during the examination process.
Does TEF Canada Have a Public QR-Code Verification System?
TEF currently does not provide the same public QR-code verification system available for TCF.
This means that a member of the public, a school, or another TEF test centre cannot necessarily enter a certificate number into a public website and immediately confirm a TEF result.
For Canadian immigration applications, IRCC accepts TEF Canada and may verify the language-test information submitted by the applicant through its own verification procedures.
Important: TEF Canada and TCF Canada use different result-verification systems. A TCF certificate can normally be checked through its QR code, while TEF results do not currently offer an equivalent public QR-code verification tool.
Does the Test Centre Verify the Result?
The test centre organizes and administers the examination, but the official result is issued by the organization responsible for the test.
- TEF: CCI Paris Île-de-France
- TCF: France Éducation international
An authorized test centre should therefore not be confused with the organization responsible for authenticating results.
In particular, one TEF test centre does not automatically have access to the records of candidates who took their exam at another centre.
What Should You Check on a Certificate?
If you receive a TEF or TCF result, some basic checks can still help:
- Candidate’s full name and date of birth
- Candidate photograph
- Test date and test centre
- Certificate or candidate number
- Individual scores for each test
- Date of validity
- Overall appearance and format of the official certificate
For TCF
The QR code provides an additional direct authentication method.
Always verify that the QR code directs you to the official France Éducation international verification website.
For TEF
If there is a serious question about authenticity, verification may need to be handled through CCI Paris Île-de-France or the government or institution receiving the result.
Do not rely solely on the appearance of a PDF or scanned certificate.
TEF Canada and TCF Canada for Immigration
IRCC currently recognizes both TEF Canada and TCF Canada as approved French-language tests for Express Entry and other Canadian immigration programs.
Both types of results are normally valid for two years, and applicants should always submit the information exactly as it appears on their official certificate.
The important point is that TEF and TCF use different verification systems.
A TCF certificate can normally be checked through its QR code, while TEF results do not currently offer an equivalent public verification tool.
If you are unsure whether a French-language certificate is genuine, do not rely only on the appearance of the PDF. Use the official verification method available for that test or contact the organization that issued the result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I verify a TEF Canada result online?
TEF Canada does not currently offer the same type of public QR-code verification system available for TCF. Questions about the authenticity of a TEF result may need to be handled through the organization responsible for issuing the result or the institution receiving it.
Does TEF Canada have a QR code?
A TEF certificate may contain identifying information used to establish the candidate’s identity and result. However, TEF does not currently provide the same public QR-code authentication system used for TCF certificates.
Can a TEF test centre verify a result from another centre?
A TEF test centre should not be assumed to have unrestricted access to the results or candidate records of another authorized test centre. The official TEF result is issued by CCI Paris Île-de-France.
How long are TEF Canada and TCF Canada results valid?
For Canadian immigration purposes, TEF Canada and TCF Canada results are generally valid for two years from the date of the test. Applicants should always check the current requirements of the immigration program they are applying under.
Register for TEF Canada in Montreal
Looking for an official TEF Canada test centre in Montreal?
CSA Montreal provides TEF Canada examination services for candidates who need an approved French-language test for Canadian immigration.
You can learn more about the exam, available test dates, registration requirements, and online booking options on our TEF Canada registration page.