PILLAR · TWO SEPARATE TESTS
USCIS administers two separate tests at the N-400 interview. The English test (reading + writing + speaking) demonstrates ability to use the language. The civics test demonstrates knowledge of U.S. history and government. Most applicants conflate them, but the rules — and the exceptions — are different.
(a) General. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no person shall be naturalized as a citizen of the United States upon his or her own application unless that person can demonstrate an understanding of the English language, including an ability to read, write, and speak words in ordinary usage in the English language.(a) General. No person shall be naturalized as a citizen of the United States upon his or her own application unless that person can demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the history, and of the principles and form of government, of the United States. A person who is exempt from the literacy requirement under § 312.1(b) (1) and (2) must still satisfy this requirement.Note the cross-reference: applicants exempt from the English literacy requirement (under 50/20 or 55/15) must still take the civics test. They simply take it in their language of choice rather than English.
Per 8 CFR §312.1(b), three categories of applicants are exempt from the English literacy requirement. They still take the civics test.
50/20
Applicants 50 years of age or older with 20 or more years as a lawful permanent resident may take the civics test in their language of choice. The English literacy requirement is waived. The civics test is still required (in their language).
55/15
Applicants 55 years of age or older with 15 or more years as a lawful permanent resident may take the civics test in their language of choice. The English literacy requirement is waived. The civics test is still required (in their language).
65/20
Applicants 65+ AND LPR 20+ years take a 20-question senior subset of the underlying test version (2008 or 2025), and may take it in their language of choice. 6 of 10 to pass.
Form N-648 can exempt an applicant from the English requirement, the civics requirement, OR both — based on a medically determinable physical, developmental, or mental impairment lasting 12 months+. This is the exception used by applicants whose disability prevents them from learning or demonstrating the requirements. Check N-648 eligibility →