Register free — get 20% off your first certificate! 🎁 Register Free →

CEFR Certificate: What It Is and How to Get One

A document that states your level on the CEFR scale, and when an online version is enough.

Take the free CEFR test →

What a CEFR certificate documents

A CEFR certificate states your language level on the six-point A1 to C2 scale, based on a specific assessment taken on a specific date. It functions as proof rather than a self-report: instead of writing "B2 German" on a CV with nothing behind it, the certificate ties that claim to an actual test result.

How it differs from IELTS or TOEFL

IELTS, TOEFL, and similar exams are individually accredited by governments and institutions for specific formal purposes, visas, immigration points, university admission. A CEFR certificate from an independent platform like Examinizer measures against the same underlying framework but does not carry that same accreditation. It works well as a fast, low-cost way to document your level for employers, personal records, or professional profiles, but it is not a substitute where a named accredited exam is legally required.

How QR verification works

Every certificate includes a unique certificate ID and a scannable QR code. Anyone, an employer, a recruiter, a university coordinator, can scan the code to land on a verification page confirming the certificate's authenticity and the level it represents. This removes the guesswork a plain PDF or a self-reported level leaves behind.

Online vs. official certificate

Use caseOnline certificateOfficial exam
CV or LinkedInSufficientAlso accepted
Employer screeningSufficient for most rolesRequired for some regulated professions
UK/US visaNot acceptedRequired (SELT-approved exam)
University admissionAccepted by some EU programsUsually required outside the EU
Take the free CEFR test →

No registration required

Explore the CEFR guide

What is CEFR CEFR levels CEFR chart CEFR scale CEFR test CEFR explained vs IELTS/TOEFL Your CEFR score Simple explanation

Common questions

An IELTS certificate is issued by a specific accredited exam board after a formal, proctored exam and is recognized for visas, immigration, and university admission. A CEFR certificate more broadly states your level on the CEFR scale and can come from many sources, accredited exams included, but also independent assessments like Examinizer's.

Each certificate includes a unique ID and a QR code. Scanning it opens Examinizer's verification page, which confirms the certificate is genuine and displays the level and date it was issued, without exposing any other personal information.

For employers screening candidates, CVs, LinkedIn profiles, and personal tracking, an online certificate works well as a fast, verifiable signal. For UK or US visas, government-recognized university admission, or immigration points systems, you need an exam specifically named by that authority, such as IELTS for UKVI.

The PDF is generated and emailed within about 30 seconds of completing payment, right after you finish the test.

Ready to find your CEFR level? Take the free adaptive test now and get your result in about 25 minutes.
Take the free test →

Read more on the blog