The French test that opens Quebec's OIIQ pathway and Express Entry.
TEF is the most widely accepted French proficiency test for nursing in Quebec (OIIQ) and across Canadian francophone provinces. The Canada and Quebec versions are slightly different — picking the right one the first time saves a retake fee.
- US registered
- Real advisors
- No agents
- Pay official sites directly
Is TEF right for you?
NCLC 7+ across all four sections for OIIQ direct registration
See per-destination minimum scores in the country selector.
TEF is the most widely accepted French proficiency test for nursing in Quebec (OIIQ) and across Canadian francophone provinces. The Canada and Quebec versions are slightly different — picking the righ
Where is TEF accepted?
Pick your destination to see the regulator, minimum score, and timing guidance.
Always confirm requirements with the official regulator or exam provider before booking.
TEF for nurses — Quebec OIIQ + Express Entry overview
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Your 4-step pathway
- 1
Confirm Quebec OIIQ vs federal Express Entry vs provincial route
- 2
Pick the right variant: TEFAQ (Quebec) or TEF Canada (federal)
- 3
Book through an official Le français des affaires test centre
- 4
Send results directly to OIIQ / IRCC from the official portal
Cost & timeline
What TEF actually costs and how long prep takes
Three things to budget before you book — fee total, prep weeks, and how to plan around your job.
What you'll spend, end to end
$280.00
- Official TEF / TEFAQ feeUSD 230 – 320
- Practice materials / official guideUSD 30 – 80
- Tutor / italki teacher (optional)USD 0 – 400
- Retake fee (if needed)Same as official fee
How long prep usually takes
8 weeks
- Compréhension écrite (Reading) — 50 MCQ60 min
- Compréhension orale (Listening) — 60 MCQ40 min
- Expression écrite (Writing) — 2 prompts60 min
- Expression orale (Speaking) — 2 prompts15 min
Pick a study plan that fits your life
We'll match you to a 4-, 8-, or 12-week schedule based on your start date, target score, and weekly study hours — no generic plans.
Send your results directly to the regulator. TEF results can be sent electronically by Le français des affaires (CCI Paris Île-de-France) to OIIQ or your provincial regulator. Self-printed PDFs are typically rejected — use the official transmission.
Avoid these
Mistakes that cost TEF candidates time and money
Read once. The four below are the most expensive errors we see in exam-prep advisor sessions — they're easy to avoid when you know what to watch for.
Booking TEF Canada when the regulator only accepts TEFAQ for Quebec — re-read the OIIQ requirements before paying.
Skipping the writing or speaking section — most Quebec nursing applications need all four scores at NCLC 7+.
Booking before achieving B2 in mock tests — most candidates who fail at NCLC 6 needed 4–6 more weeks of prep.
Letting the 2-year validity expire mid-application — schedule the test based on when your licence file will actually be reviewed.
Common questions
Top questions about TEF
TEF Canada or TEFAQ — which one for Quebec nursing?
What NCLC score do I need for Quebec nursing?
How long are TEF results valid?
Is TEF accepted outside Canada for nursing?
Prepare for TEF the right way.
Aligned with your destination pathway — not generic prep.
Small cohorts, weekly sessions on Zoom. Recorded for replay.
Watch anywhere, at your own pace. Bookmark + revisit.
Mock exams every week with instant feedback + answer reasoning.
Direct WhatsApp + weekly Q&A clinic with experienced nurses.
Live dashboard showing your readiness score per topic.
Prep matched to your destination — NMC, NCLEX, AHPRA, SCFHS.
Ready to start?
Pick Online. We'll match you with the next cohort and your personal study plan within 24 hours.
We do not sell exam vouchers. You book and pay official exam bodies directly. We provide preparation and guidance only — no guarantees.
Not sure if TEF is the right exam for your nursing pathway?
Tell us your destination and current step. We'll match you to the right exam, the regulator-correct sequence, and a 4-step plan — in 2 minutes, free.