Becoming a Cambridge ESOL exam centre
Cambridge ESOL examination centres
This section contains relevant information about exam centre approval. For details about approvals for other qualifications, please access one of the links in the Centres menu.
The information below relates to the following examinations:
KET, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE, BEC, YLE, ICFE, ILEC and TKT.
Cambridge ESOL centres are the main channels through which our examinations and assessment services are delivered to candidates. Each centre is a legal entity, authorised to administer one or more of the examinations and tests in English provided by Cambridge ESOL.
Courses are not accredited: Cambridge ESOL does not accredit preparation courses for the aforementioned exams and institutions can prepare candidates for these without requiring approval from Cambridge ESOL. However, only registered examination centres can use the Cambridge ESOL logo and make entries directly.
Being a centre is a demanding responsibility which includes the following:
- Administration of the examinations according to correct procedures
- Payment of invoices
- Marketing and customer service
- Participation in research, examinations validation and quality control
- Participation in pre-testing activities
- Security of confidential materials
- Participation in re-approval process
- Participation in the centre inspections programme
There is a worldwide network of approximately 2,000 centres which deliver Cambridge ESOL examinations on behalf of over 20,000 organisations. Most schools and institutions find it easier and more economical to be a supplier school which enters candidates through an open centre. Open centres are authorised to accept external candidates. Details of open centres are available from our Find a Centre function. Potential supplier schools should contact centres directly for further information.
Any institution interested in applying for centre approval should consider the following points:
- Does an open centre already exist in your city/region?
Where there is an existing open centre meeting local need, it is unlikely that there is scope for additional centres in the same area. To check if there is an open centre in your area go to our Find a Centre search. In some cases, provided the facilities are suitable and there is sufficient demand, a centre may agree to use another school as a venue for hosting an examination session. Contact your local centre for further details. - How long has your organisation been involved in preparing candidates for Cambridge ESOL examinations?
It is unlikely that an organisation that does not have substantial previous experience of EFL/ESOL teaching and Cambridge ESOL examinations could take on the responsibility of being a Cambridge ESOL centre. - How many candidates a year would you anticipate entering for Cambridge ESOL examinations?
Authorised centres are expected to meet minimum entry requirements; these vary according to the specific country/market. - Registration fee: Cambridge ESOL charges a fee for registering new examination centres.
Request information about centre approval
To request information about becoming a Cambridge ESOL examination centre, fill in the enquiry form below:
