# Exceptions to the English Requirement

## **EXCEPTIONS TO THE ENGLISH EXAMINATION FOR US CITIZENSHIP**

<table id="bkmrk-exceptions%C2%A0%5Bina-312%28"><thead><tr><th>**Exceptions \[[INA 312(b)](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title8-section1423&num=0&edition=prelim)\]**</th><th>**Educational Requirements**</th><th> </th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td> </td><td>\*\*English:</td><td> </td></tr><tr><td>Read, write, speak, and understand\*\*</td><td>\*\*Civics:</td><td> </td></tr><tr><td>Knowledge of U.S. history and government\*\*</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td>Age 50 or older and resided in the United States as a lawful permanent resident (LPR) for at least 20 years at time of filing</td><td>Exempt</td><td>Still required. Applicants may take civics test in their language of choice using an interpreter.</td></tr><tr><td>Age 55 or older and resided in the United States as an LPR for at least 15 years at time of filing</td><td>Exempt</td><td> </td></tr><tr><td>Age 65 or older and resided in the United States as an LPR for at least 20 years at time of filing</td><td>Exempt</td><td>Still required but officers administer specially designated test forms. Applicants may take the civics test in their language of choice using an interpreter.</td></tr><tr><td>Medical Disability Exception ([Form N-648](https://www.uscis.gov/n-648))</td><td>May be exempt from English, civics, or both</td><td> </td></tr></tbody></table>