No. You cannot take a B1 English test for UK citizenship or settlement online or at home. The test must be a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from a Home Office approved provider. You must sit it in person at an approved test centre and prove your identity there. Online English certificates are not accepted.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Can you take it online or at home? | No, in person at an approved centre only |
| Level needed for citizenship or ILR | B1 or higher (CEFR) |
| Approved providers in the UK | 4: Trinity College London, IELTS, LanguageCert, Pearson |
| How long results last | 2 years from the date of the award |
| Exempt by age | 65 or over |
| Expired test for citizenship | Accepted if it was accepted when you settled |
Quick Overview
✅ Every approved B1 test is taken in person at a test centre
✅ The Home Office approves only 4 test providers in the UK
✅ A degree taught or researched in English can replace the test
⚠️ "PTE Home" is not taken at home. You go to a Pearson test centre
⚠️ Online English courses and online certificates are not accepted
⚠️ The Life in the UK test is a different test. You need both
📌 If you already passed a B1 test for ILR, you may not need a new one
📌 Citizens of countries like the USA, Canada and Australia are exempt
💡 Book your test through the provider's website, not the test centre
💡 Practise speaking and listening first. That is what the B1 test checks
Why the B1 English Test Cannot Be Taken Online
The Home Office only accepts a Secure English Language Test (SELT). A SELT must be taken at an approved test location. You must prove your identity at that location before the test starts. This stops cheating, which is why no approved test is offered at home.
The Home Office did run a remote testing pilot. GOV.UK says it ended in March 2023. Some older guides still say you can test from home. They are out of date.
That is the main thing to know before you pay for anything. Many websites sell "online B1 tests" or "B1 certificates". These do not count for a visa, ILR or citizenship application. Your application can be refused if you send the wrong qualification.
If you are not sure your English is at B1 yet, try our free B1 English level check first. It has 15 questions and gives an instant result.
Which B1 Tests Are Approved for Citizenship and ILR?
The Home Office approves 4 SELT providers inside the UK:
- Trinity College London: Secure English Language Tests for UKVI (GESE and ISE)
- IELTS SELT Consortium: IELTS Life Skills and IELTS for UKVI
- LanguageCert: International ESOL SELT, Academic SELT and General SELT
- Pearson: PTE Home and PTE Academic UKVI
For citizenship and ILR you need a test at B1 level or higher. The B1 tests most people book are speaking and listening tests, such as Trinity GESE Grade 5, IELTS Life Skills B1 and PTE Home B1. Each provider runs these at its own centres.
Not sure which one to pick? Our guide to which B1 test is easiest compares them side by side.
Is PTE Home Taken at Home?
No. The name confuses a lot of people. PTE Home is Pearson's test for "home" visas, such as family and settlement visas. It is not a test you take at home.
Pearson says you must attend a secure Pearson test centre. You sit at a computer with a headset. You listen, read and speak your answers. The result shows pass or fail.
So if a search result says PTE Home is "online", it means computer-based. You still travel to a centre.
Who Does Not Need a B1 English Test?
You do not need to take a test if one of these applies to you:
- You are 65 or over
- You have a long-term physical or mental condition that stops you. You need a completed exemption form from a doctor.
- You are a citizen of a majority English-speaking country. These include the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Malta and Ireland (Ireland for citizenship only). GOV.UK lists them all.
- You have a degree taught or researched in English. You must prove this with the right documents.
Check the full list on GOV.UK before you book. If an exemption applies, you save the test fee and the trip.
Can You Reuse the English Test From Your ILR Application?
Often, yes. Most SELT results only last 2 years. But citizenship has a special rule.
For citizenship, you can use an expired B1, B2, C1 or C2 test if it was accepted when you settled in the UK. It does not matter if that test is no longer on the current approved list.
So if your ILR was granted using a B1 test, you can usually use that same test for citizenship. You do not need to book a new one. Keep your certificate or your online result reference safe.
For more detail on the levels, read our guide to English language requirements for ILR.
How to Book an Approved B1 English Test
- Check you are not exempt (see above)
- Choose a provider: Trinity, IELTS, LanguageCert or Pearson
- Pick the B1 speaking and listening test for settlement or citizenship
- Book on the provider's own website
- Bring the exact ID you booked with
- Keep your result reference for your application
GOV.UK says to check the provider's website for dates and open centres. It also says do not contact the test centre directly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Buying an "online B1 certificate"
People see cheap online tests and think they save time. These are not SELTs. The Home Office will not accept them, and your application can be refused. You lose the application fee, not just the test fee.
❌ Thinking PTE Home is a home test
The name suggests you can take it from your sofa. You cannot. You must go to a Pearson test centre. If you do not plan the trip, you may miss your booked slot.
❌ Booking a test when you are exempt
Many people from the USA, Canada or Australia book a test they do not need. Check the GOV.UK exemption list first. It can save you the full test fee.
❌ Booking a new test for citizenship when your ILR test still counts
Your old test may look "expired" after 2 years. For citizenship, it still counts if it was accepted when you settled. Booking again wastes money and time.
❌ Mixing up the B1 test and the Life in the UK test
They are two separate tests. The B1 test checks your English. The Life in the UK test checks your knowledge of British life. Most applicants need both. Passing one does not replace the other.
Expert Tips (What Most Guides Miss)
- Practise speaking out loud, not just reading. The B1 test for citizenship checks speaking and listening. Reading practice alone will not prepare you. Talk through answers in full sentences.
- Match your name exactly. Book with the name exactly as it appears on your ID. A small difference can stop you sitting the test.
- Do both tests in the same month. Many people prepare for the B1 test and the Life in the UK test together. The listening practice helps with both. Our free Life in the UK mock tests take 45 minutes each.
- Save your SELT reference number. Your result report includes a unique reference. You enter it on your application, so keep it somewhere safe.
You can practise online for free
You cannot take the test online, but you can practise for it. Try our free B1 speaking and listening practice and mock tests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the B1 English test online for ILR?
No. For ILR and citizenship, you must take a Secure English Language Test at an approved test centre. You prove your identity there before the test. Online tests are not accepted.
Is there an online B1 English test accepted by the Home Office?
No. Every Home Office approved test is taken in person at an approved test location. Some tests are computer-based, like PTE Home, but you still sit them at a test centre.
Is PTE Home B1 accepted for British citizenship?
Yes. PTE Home is on the list of approved SELTs from Pearson. The B1 version is the one for settlement and citizenship. You take it at a Pearson test centre, not at home.
How long is a B1 English test valid for citizenship?
Most SELT results last 2 years. For citizenship, you can still use an expired test if it was accepted when you settled in the UK.
Can I take the Life in the UK test online?
No. The Life in the UK test is also taken in person at a test centre. Read our guide on whether you can take the Life in the UK test online for the details.
Do I need a B1 English test if I have a UK degree?
Not usually. A degree taught or researched in English can replace the English test. You must provide the right proof of your degree with your application.
How This Aligns With Official Guidance
This guide is based on GOV.UK guidance on proving your English for citizenship and settlement. It also uses the Home Office guidance on Secure English Language Tests (SELT), last updated 2 November 2026. Details about PTE Home come from Pearson.
Last reviewed: November 2026. Figures correct at time of publication. Always check GOV.UK for the latest fees and requirements.
Official Resources
Prove your English language abilities with a SELT — GOV.UK
The approved providers, test names and test centre lists.
Prove your knowledge of English for citizenship and settling — GOV.UK
Which qualifications count, and when an expired test is accepted.
English language exemptions — GOV.UK
The full list of exempt ages, conditions and nationalities.
Our Free Tools
Before you book, check your level with our free B1 English level check. It gives you an instant result.
When you want more practice, our B1 practice tests cover the kind of everyday English the test uses.
You will probably need the Life in the UK test too. Our Life in the UK cheat sheet covers the key dates and facts on one page.
Start with the free B1 English level check. If you pass it comfortably, book your approved test at a centre near you.