U.S. Department of State Consular Fellows Program Test (CFPT)

The Consular Fellows Program Test (CFPT) is an important part of the selection process, covering the job knowledge, English expression and situational judgment necessary to work as a Consular Fellow. View complete information on the CFPT and the selection process.

The Test is offered Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. However, there are some test centers that offer testing Monday through Sunday with some evening hours. Click here to find a test center.

Please note: New candidates must create a web account before they can submit an application.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, the U.S. Department of State requires that each candidate be:

• Be a U.S. citizen and able to obtain authorization to work in country or countries of assignment. (note: Candidates with dual nationality are ineligible for assignment within their country of dual nationality. Recruitment for Portuguese and Chinese languages is targeted for service in Brazil and China and dual national candidates are unable to meet this qualification).
• Be able to obtain a Top-Secret Security Clearance.
• Be able to obtain a Foreign Service Medical Clearance.
• Be able to obtain a favorable Suitability Review Panel determination.
• Be at least 20 years old at the time of application; at least 21 years old at the time of appointment.
• E-Verify:  Verification of employment eligibility in the United States is required.
• Must speak and read an eligible foreign language at the required proficiency level (eligible languages are  Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, and Spanish). 

Collection of No-Show Fees

The Department of State will require that candidates provide credit/debit card information to Pearson VUE in order to complete the registration process. The card will be charged $5 to hold the appointment. This fee is fully refundable and will be credited back to the credit/debit card a few weeks after you test. If however, a candidate either does not take the test or does not cancel an appointment at least 48 hours in advance, the card will be charged an additional $40 for a total no-show fee assessment of $45. If you have questions about this fee, you may direct them to CFPInfo@state.gov.

Registering for the CFPT

Candidates must complete two registration steps: submitting an application and selecting an appointment. Applicants have six months to schedule an appointment for the gateway test, however due to required administrative processes, the appointment must be made within eight weeks of the desired testing date. If you would like to schedule an appointment further than eight weeks out, you will need to log back into this system closer to the date you wish to schedule the test to make a request. Candidates may test only once in a 12-month period. Click here for answers to CFPT FAQs.

Other

Find more information on rewarding work as a Consular Fellow. If you have questions about the Consular Fellows Program Test (CFPT) you may send them to CFPInfo@state.gov.

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AUTHORITIES: The information is sought pursuant to 301(b) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended (22 U.S.C. § 3941(b)).

PURPOSE: The information solicited on this form will be used to determine eligibility to take the Consular Fellows Program Test, to register for the Consular Fellows Program Test, to assess qualifications for selection as a Consular Fellow, and to ensure the integrity of the examination process.

ROUTINE USES: The information solicited on this form may be made available to prepare statistical reports and analyses at the Department of State. Such reports and analyses, which are prepared in such a way that they are not individually identifiable, may be shared outside the Department. This information may also be shared with other federal agencies in response to request for information about hiring or retention of an employee or to Members of Congress in response to an inquiry on behalf of the applicant. More information on the Routine Uses for the system can be found in the System of Records Notice State-31, Human Resource Records.

DISCLOSURE: Providing this information is voluntary. Failure to provide the information requested on this form may result in the user’s inability to submit appropriate responses to the FSOT questionnaire and/or the FSOT and oral exam.