If you passed Valencian as a school subject, you are probably already entitled to an official Valencian language certificate without sitting the exam run by the Junta Qualificadora (JQCV). Passing all four years of ESO (compulsory secondary) counts as B1, both years of bachillerato as B2 and, with an average of 7 or more, as C1. The procedure is free, open all year and, for current students, the certificate is issued automatically. These certificates are often required for public-sector exams, job pools and recruitment in the Valencian Community.
Which level your studies give you
Regional Law 1/2024 on educational freedom sets these equivalences:
- A2: passing Valencian in all six years of primary school, from the 2009-2010 school year onwards.
- B1: passing Valencian in all four years of ESO, from 2008-2009 onwards.
- B2: passing Valencian in both years of bachillerato, from 2009-2010 onwards.
- C1: passing Valencian in both years of bachillerato with an average mark of 7 or more, from 2009-2010 onwards, or scoring 7 or more in the Valencian paper of the university entrance exam (PAU) since that year. University access exams for over-25s or over-45s do not count.
If you studied under the older system (EGB, BUP, COU or FP)
Order 7/2017 grants B1 to people who passed Valencian in every year of EGB (years 1 to 8); in both years of first-level FP and the first two years of second-level FP; in at least three years between BUP and COU, or between years 3 and 4 of ESO and bachillerato; or in every year from the first year of primary to the fourth year of ESO.
Will you receive it automatically?
For people finishing their studies now, recognition can be automatic when the data is held in ITACA, the schools’ management system, or in the PAU records. If you finished earlier, or your marks are not in those systems, you need to apply and provide documents.
How to apply step by step
- Get the right academic document. Only the school record book (libro de escolaridad), an academic certificate from the school or an academic transcript issued by the school are accepted. Report cards are not valid.
- Fill in the application for a certificate by recognition. The form is on the Generalitat’s e-office and the JQCV website.
- Submit it through the e-office with a digital certificate or Cl@ve (see our guide to Cl@ve and digital certificates), or at an in-person registry.
- Wait for the certificate. It is sent by email, with a maximum deadline of three months.
There are no fees and you can apply at any time of year.
Common mistakes
- Sending report cards instead of an academic certificate: the application stalls until you correct it.
- Having had an exemption from Valencian in any year: if you did not take and pass the subject in every required year, you do not qualify.
- Confusing the PAU with the mature-student exams: C1 through the PAU only applies to the general entrance exam.
- Leaving it until a job application deadline: with up to three months to process, apply as soon as you know you will need it.
Frequently asked questions
Is a certificate obtained by recognition worth the same as one from the exam?
Yes. It is equivalent to holding the JQCV certificate for that level.
I finished ESO in the Valencian Community before 2008. Can I get B1?
It depends on which years you passed Valencian. Under Order 7/2017, B1 is recognised if you passed the subject in every year from the first year of primary to the fourth year of ESO, or in at least three years between the third year of ESO and the second year of bachillerato.
How much does it cost?
Nothing. Recognition is free.
How long does it take?
The maximum deadline is three months. If it is exceeded, you can complain as explained in our guide on how to complain when the Generalitat does not respond.