Lithuanian state language exam (valstybinės kalbos mokėjimo kategorijos egzaminas)

Lithuania measures knowledge of the state language in categories set by Government Resolution No. 1688. The National Education Agency (Nacionalinė švietimo agentūra, NŠA) runs the exams at base schools around the country. Its 2026 schedule maps the categories to the CEFR:

• Basic category: A1
• Category I: A2
• Category II: B1
• Category III: B2

NŠA also runs a separate State Language exam and an exam on the Fundamentals of the Constitution for people seeking citizenship or permanent residence, and level-setting exams from A2 to C1. Health professionals usually need the category exam.

Resolution No. 1688 applies category II (B1) to health care workers who deal with people constantly in their work. VASPVT, which recognises third-country qualifications and issues medical, dental, nursing and midwifery practice licences, asks for a certificate confirming the second category with the licence application. Recognition of your diploma can happen first, but the licence waits for the language certificate.

Resolution No. 1688 was last amended by Resolution No. 827 of 26 November 2025, in force from 1 January 2026, which tightened the rules for staff who serve customers directly and added a basic (A1) level for some foreign workers. Health care workers still need category II.

1. Register through NŠA's online portal for external candidates, linked from its registration page for foreigners.
2. Choose a session. In 2026 NŠA scheduled category II on 12 February, 21 May, 23 September and 12 November, and category III on 8 May and 8 October.
3. Sit the reading, writing and listening part on a computer at 10 a.m. at your base school.
4. Sit the speaking part in person the same day at 2 p.m.
5. Receive your certificate and attach it to your VASPVT licence application.

NŠA publishes sample tests, exam instructions and the results evaluation rules on its exam pages for foreigners. Check its registration page for the current fee before you book.

NŠA's published evaluation rules for the lower categories set a threshold of 60% of the points for each level in reading and writing and in listening, with separate scoring for speaking. NŠA warns that reaching the minimum score in speaking does not by itself guarantee the level, because points must also be spread across the speaking tasks. Read the evaluation rules for the category you are sitting.

• Too few sessions. Category II runs only a few times a year, so a missed date can delay your licence by months. Plan your study around the schedule.
• Booking the wrong exam. The State Language exam for citizenship and permanent residence is a different exam, booked through MIGRIS by people with a Lithuanian personal code. For a health licence you need the category exam.
• Assuming English is enough. VASPVT licenses on Lithuanian, not on IELTS or OET, and you will treat patients and write records in Lithuanian.