CELPE-BRAS Testing Centers: Where to Take the Exam

What Are CELPE-BRAS Testing Centers (Postos Aplicadores)?

Postos aplicadores are institutions — typically universities, Brazilian cultural centers, or Brazilian consulates — that have been officially authorized by INEP to administer the CELPE-BRAS exam. Each center is responsible for organizing the logistics of the exam on its premises: providing the examination rooms, audio and video equipment required for the trigger materials, qualified proctors, and oral interview evaluators.

Not all testing centers are active for every exam session. INEP publishes the list of active postos aplicadores as part of the official exam notice (edital) for each session. Candidates must select their preferred testing center at the time of registration. Once assigned, you cannot change centers after registration closes.

Testing Centers in Brazil

Brazil has the largest network of CELPE-BRAS testing centers, with locations in every major state. The following are some of the principal cities with active postos aplicadores:

• São Paulo (SP) — Multiple centers, including at USP (Universidade de São Paulo) and UNICAMP (Universidade Estadual de Campinas).
• Rio de Janeiro (RJ) — Centers at UFRJ (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro) and PUC-Rio.
• Brasília (DF) — Centers at UnB (Universidade de Brasília) and other federal institutions.
• Porto Alegre (RS) — UFRGS (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul), which also hosts the official CELPE-BRAS archive.
• Belo Horizonte (MG) — Centers at UFMG (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais).
• Other major cities — Salvador (BA), Recife (PE), Fortaleza (CE), Manaus (AM), Curitiba (PR), and Florianópolis (SC) among others.

The full and current list of active Brazilian testing centers for each exam session is published in the official edital on the INEP website. Always verify that your preferred center is active before registering.

International Testing Centers: 30+ Countries Worldwide

Candidates outside Brazil can take CELPE-BRAS at authorized international postos aplicadores, typically located at Brazilian consulates, embassies, or Brazilian cultural institutions (Centros de Estudos Brasileiros). Here is a regional overview:

How to Find Your Nearest Testing Center

The definitive way to find your nearest active testing center is to consult the official edital for the exam session you intend to take. Each edital includes an attachment listing all active postos aplicadores with their addresses and contact details. The edital is published on the INEP website (inep.gov.br) and on the CELPE-BRAS official portal.

For international candidates, the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty) website also maintains a directory of Cultural Centers and Consulates abroad that historically host CELPE-BRAS. Contact your nearest Brazilian consulate or embassy well in advance of the registration period to confirm whether they will be an active testing center for the upcoming session.

Registering at a Testing Center

Registration for CELPE-BRAS is done centrally through the INEP online system — not directly with the testing center. During registration you will select your preferred posto aplicador from the list of active centers. Key steps in the registration process include:

• Monitor the INEP website for the opening of the registration period (inscrições). Dates are published in the edital.
• Create or log in to your INEP account and complete the registration form, selecting your testing center and providing all required personal and document information.
• Pay the registration fee (taxa de inscrição) within the payment window. Fee waivers (isenção) are available for candidates who meet income or education criteria — apply for a waiver before the general registration period opens.
• Print or save your registration confirmation (comprovante de inscrição). This document contains your exam location, date, time, and candidate number.

What to Expect on Exam Day at the Testing Center

Knowing what to expect on exam day helps reduce anxiety and ensures you do not face any administrative surprises. Here is a typical exam day sequence at a posto aplicador:

• Arrive at least 30 minutes before the published start time. Late arrivals are not admitted after the doors close.
• Bring your official photo ID — the same document used for registration. Candidates without valid ID will not be permitted to sit the exam.
• The written part (Parte Escrita) takes place in the morning or early afternoon session. You will complete reading comprehension, listening comprehension, and written production tasks using audio and video trigger materials.
• The oral interview (Interação Face a Face) is scheduled separately, typically in the afternoon of the same day or the following day depending on the center. You will interact with a trained evaluator for 20 minutes around a topic introduced by a trigger text or image.
• Electronic devices, food, and personal belongings other than your ID must be stored outside the examination room. Water may be permitted at some centers — check the specific rules published in the edital.

Related Guides

• CELPE-BRAS Exam Dates 2026
• How to Prepare for CELPE-BRAS