Can I take a National Education exam as a free candidate?

Verified 23 October 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

Yes, you can enroll in a national education exam (e.g., baccalaureate, baccalaureate) or higher education exam (e.g., BTS) without having taken the courses in a school. You then take your exam as a free candidate (also called individual candidate or non-academic candidate). To do this, you must meet conditions that vary according to the diplomas.

Several exams can be taken as a free candidate. This is particularly the case for the following examinations:

  • National Patent Diploma (DNB) and General Training Certificate (CFG)
  • Certificate of professional competence (CAP)
  • Professional Patent (BP)
  • General, technological or professional baccalaureate
  • Vocational training certificate (BTS)
  • Diploma in Accounting and Management (DCG)
  • Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Management (DSCG)

The requirements vary depending on the exam you wish to take:

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National Patent Diploma (DNB) and General Training Certificate (CFG)

You can graduate as a free candidate if you are in one of the following situations :

  • Pupil enrolled beyond class 3e (in seconds for example)
  • Pupil of 3e non-contract private education
  • You follow education in the family
  • Adult not enrolled in a patent preparation or CFG in an institution.

Professional Patent (BP)

To take the exam, you must justify one of the following periods of professional activity :

  • 5 years in a job related to the purpose of the diploma prepared, without diploma condition
  • 2 years in a job related to the purpose of the diploma prepared. In this case, you must have a diploma or qualification classified at level 3 or higher, listed for each specialty by the Minister for Education.
  • Between 6 months and 1 year in a job related to the purpose of the diploma prepared. In this case, you must have a professional bachelor's degree with a specialty from the same professional sector.

In addition, you do not have to be registered in a school.

CAP and BP

The rules differ depending on whether you follow distance learning or not:

Distance learning

You can register as a free candidate without age or degree requirements.

Other

You must be old at least 18 years of age as at 31 December of the year of review.

In addition, you do not have to be registered in a school.

General or technological baccalaureate

You can register as a free candidate without age or degree requirements.

However, you do not have to be registered in a school.

Please note

You can register as a free candidate including to take the early tests (tests taken at the end of class of 1re for pupils in school).

Pro Tray

To register as a free candidate, you must be in one the following situations:

  • You are following your training in distance learning
  • You are no longer in school but you have already passed at least once the same exam in the same specialty as a candidate enrolled in a school
  • You justify to 3 years of professional activities in employment at a level at least equal to that of a skilled worker or employee. Then, the professional field must be related to the purpose of the diploma. Finally, you don't must not be registered in a school.

BTS

To register as a free candidate, you must be in one of the following situations:

  • Justify to1 year of professional activities in a job related to the purpose of the prepared BTS
  • Have already failed BTS in the same specialty while enrolled in a school
  • Be a candidate for distance learning.

In addition, you do not have to be registered in a school.

Diploma in Accounting and Management (DCG)

You must have the bachelor's degree or equivalent.

In addition, you do not have to be registered in a school.

Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Management (DSCG)

You must have one of the following diplomas :

  • Diploma in Accounting and Management (DCG) or equivalent
  • Diploma in Accounting and Financial Studies (DECF)
  • Master.

In addition, you do not have to be registered in a school.

You must register for the exam with the rectorate of your place of residence or, if you reside in Île-de-France, with Interacademic Examination and Competition Service (SIEC).

Registration for the exam is free of charge.

Ask the Rectorate or the SIEC for information on how to register.

Warning  

Registration at the Cned: titleContent is not worth registering for the exam.

Who shall I contact

If you have failed an exam, you can sometimes benefit from the postponement of certain marks obtained.

Ask for more information at the beginning of the school year rectorate of your place of residence or with the Interacademic Examination and Competition Service (SIEC) if you live in Île-de-France.

In general, registrations are made between October and November before the exam.

Who shall I contact

You will receive your summons a few days before the date of the tests.

This invitation will specify the place, the schedules and the equipment to be provided.

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