Everything you need to know about the exam,
plus a specialized preparation course to arrive with confidence and get the level you need.
The Certificate of Proficiency in Portuguese for Foreigners (CELPE-Bras) is issued by Brazil's Ministry of Education (MEC) and is the only official Portuguese proficiency certificate recognized by the Brazilian government.
Just like the TOEFL certifies your English level, the CELPE-Bras certifies your Portuguese level for Brazilian universities and companies.
Almost all Brazilian public universities require the CELPE-Bras to admit foreign students.
Doctors, engineers, lawyers, and other foreign professionals need it to have their degrees recognized in Brazil.
Even when not mandatory, it officially demonstrates your level compared to other candidates.
Some visa categories in Brazil may require official proof of Portuguese proficiency.
The exam doesn't use levels like A1 or B2, but official performance levels instead.
Combines listening comprehension, reading comprehension, and written production. Based on authentic materials (news, ads, videos, audios), you'll need to write texts with a specific communicative purpose.
Interview with an accredited evaluator, divided into a conversation about your personal information and another based on visual materials or texts provided during the assessment.
The CELPE-Bras analyzes how you use the language to accomplish a real communicative purpose, not just whether you know grammar rules.
Start with our 100% free Mini Course, 3 practical Portuguese classes at level A1, with audios and interactive exercises.
No commitment, no credit card.
Not necessarily. The exam evaluates communication ability, not perfection.
No. It's essential to develop listening comprehension, reading, writing, and oral interaction.
It depends on your current level. Starting from scratch, you generally need at least 9 months.
If you already have a B1 level, 2 to 3 months of focused preparation is usually enough.
It depends a lot on your effort and dedication.
No. Once approved, the certificate has no expiration date, it's valid for life.
No. Many international institutions and companies that work with Brazil recognize it as official proof of Portuguese proficiency. It's also valued in Portugal, Angola, and Mozambique.
The CELPE-Bras is offered twice a year, generally in April and October, at accredited centers in more than 20 countries. Always check the most recent official announcement on the MEC portal before registering.
CELPE-Bras Exam
