INA 312: English and Civics Requirements for Naturalization

The INA 312 English and civics requirements say that most people applying to naturalize must show they can read, write, and speak basic English and answer questions about U.S. history and government during their naturalization interview. The rule sits at 8 U.S.C. § 1423, with details at 8 CFR Part 312.¹ The same statute lets certain older long-term permanent residents skip the English portion and lets applicants with qualifying medical conditions request a full waiver.

The English Portion

USCIS tests three English skills at the interview.² Your speaking is judged throughout the interview by how you answer the officer’s questions about your Form N-400. For reading, you have to read one sentence aloud correctly out of three tries. For writing, you have to write one dictated sentence correctly out of three tries. The officer moves on as soon as you pass each skill.³

The Civics Portion

Civics is an oral exam, and which version you get depends on when you filed your N-400.

If you filed on or after October 18, 2025, you take the 2025 test. The officer asks up to 20 questions from a pool of 128, and you need at least 12 correct. Testing stops once you reach 12 correct answers or 9 wrong.⁴

If you filed before that date, you take the 2008 test. The officer asks up to 10 questions from a pool of 100, and 6 correct answers pass.⁵

If You Fail a Portion

Failing any part of the English or civics test at your first interview does not end your case. USCIS schedules a re-examination 60 to 90 days later, and you retake only the portion you failed. Fail the retake, and USCIS denies the application.⁶ A denial is not the end of the road: you can refile Form N-400, or file Form N-336 within 30 days to request a hearing.⁷

Age and Residency Exemptions

Federal law lets certain older long-term green card holders skip the English test. They still take civics, but they can take it in their native language using an interpreter they bring themselves.¹ Three rules apply, measured at the time you file your N-400:

50/20 rule: age 50 or older with at least 20 years as a lawful permanent resident. Skip English, take civics in your language.⁸
55/15 rule: age 55 or older with at least 15 years as a lawful permanent resident. Same benefit.⁸
65/20 rule: age 65 or older with at least 20 years as a lawful permanent resident. Skip English, take civics in your language, and get a shorter civics test.⁸

The 65/20 track is the most generous. On the 2025 test, these applicants study only 20 designated questions out of the 128 pool. The officer asks 10 of those 20, and 6 correct answers pass.⁹

You do not file anything extra. USCIS checks your age and residency dates from your N-400 record.

Medical Disability Waiver (Form N-648)

If a medical condition keeps you from learning or demonstrating English, civics, or both, you can ask for a complete waiver. The statute covers physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, and mental impairments. It does not cover illiteracy or advanced age standing alone.¹

You claim the waiver by filing Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, with your N-400. Only three types of U.S.-licensed professionals can complete it: a medical doctor, a doctor of osteopathy, or a clinical psychologist. No one else qualifies.⁷

The certifying professional has to examine you, describe your impairment, and explain in detail how it prevents you from meeting the English requirement, the civics requirement, or both. The condition must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 12 months.¹⁰ The form also asks the professional to confirm that even with reasonable accommodations, you cannot comply, and it is signed under penalty of perjury.¹¹

Timing matters. USCIS will not accept an N-648 signed by the medical professional more than 180 days before you file your N-400.¹² Have the form completed and file it together with the N-400.

If the N-648 Is Found Insufficient

An officer who sees significant gaps in your N-648 has to give you a chance to explain before ruling it insufficient. If it still gets rejected, you can bring a new or revised N-648 to your re-examination, from the same medical professional or a different one. The re-exam officer checks that the new version addresses every problem flagged the first time.⁷

If USCIS denies the application after the re-exam, you have 30 calendar days to file Form N-336. The hearing includes a fresh look at your case, and you can submit more medical documentation or a new N-648.⁷

Accommodations Without a Full Waiver

Some disabilities do not stop you from learning the material but make a standard interview hard. USCIS provides accommodations in those cases: sign language interpreters (USCIS provides one at no cost if you do not bring your own), extended testing time, and accessible interview locations, among others.¹³ Request an accommodation as soon as you get your appointment notice, online at uscis.gov/accommodations or through the USCIS Contact Center.⁸ Accommodations sit outside the N-648 process and can be used alongside it.

A Note on the Oath of Allegiance

Passing the tests or qualifying for a waiver does not end the process. Every applicant normally takes the Oath of Allegiance at a ceremony. That is a separate step from INA 312, with its own waiver track: if a medical professional finds you cannot understand or communicate the meaning of the oath because of a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment, USCIS can waive the oath, and a legal guardian, surrogate, or designated representative can complete the naturalization on your behalf.¹⁴

1
Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 8 USC 1423 – Requirements as to Understanding the English Language, History, Principles and Form of Government of the United States
2
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. USCIS Policy Manual – English and Civics Testing
3
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Scoring Guidelines for the U.S. Naturalization Test
4
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 2025 Civics Test
5
Federal Register. Notice of Implementation of 2025 Naturalization Civics Test
6
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. USCIS Policy Manual – Results of the Naturalization Examination
7
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. USCIS Policy Manual – Medical Disability Exception (Form N-648)
8
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Exceptions and Accommodations
9
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 Version)
10
eCFR. 8 CFR Part 312 – Educational Requirements for Naturalization
11
eCFR. 8 CFR 312.2 – Knowledge of History and Government of the United States
12
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Instructions for Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions
13
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. USCIS Policy Manual – Types of Accommodations
14
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. USCIS Policy Manual – Oath of Allegiance Modifications and Waivers