How to Register for the TOEFL iBT (2026): Steps, Deadlines and Rules

How to register for the TOEFL, step by step

1. 1. Pick your date first

   ETS advises choosing a test date at least 2–3 months before your earliest admissions deadline, and registering about 4 months before the date you want, so you have time to retake if needed (ETS: how to register).

2. 2. Create an ETS account

   Register at ets.org/toefl. The first and last name on your account must exactly match the ID you will bring on test day; accounts and registrations can't be transferred (Bulletin, p.3).

3. 3. Choose a test centre or the Home Edition

   The Home Edition needs a desktop or laptop (Windows 11+ or macOS 10.13+, no tablets), one monitor, speakers and a microphone (no headsets), a movable camera and a private room. Check these before you book: if your setup fails on test day there is no refund or free reschedule (ETS Home Edition requirements). See our TOEFL Home Edition guide.

4. 4. Schedule the date and time

   Book online in your ETS account, or by phone through your country's Testing Inquiries contact (ETS contacts). You can take the TOEFL as often as you like, but not more than once in any 3-day period (Bulletin, p.3).

5. 5. Pay the test fee

   The fee depends on your country — see the TOEFL fee in every country. Online you can pay by credit or debit card, e-check, PayPal or Alipay; by phone, card or e-check (ETS fees).

6. 6. Choose up to four free score recipients

   Your fee includes up to four free official score reports. Add or remove recipients until 10 p.m. local test-centre time the day before your test; after that each report costs extra (ETS: send scores).

TOEFL registration deadlines

Source: ETS TOEFL iBT Information Bulletin 2026–27, pp.3–4 and 11.

Registration fees and refunds

The test fee is set by country — look yours up in our TOEFL fee by country table. On top of it, ETS charges:

• Cancel in time (4 full days before) and ETS refunds 50% of the test fee to your original payment method. No refund if you register improperly or arrive without the right ID.
• In Korea the refund rule differs: 100% within 7 days of registering, 50% from day 8 until 4 days before the test, nothing after that.
• If ETS cancels or reschedules your test, there is no rescheduling fee and you can ask for a full refund.

Sources: ETS fees (read 2 October 2026); Bulletin, pp.4–5.

ID rules: get your name right when you register

• Your first and last name must exactly match your ID (accents excepted) — no nicknames or initials as a first name. Your date of birth must match too.
• Bring an original, physical, valid government ID with your photo and signature: usually a passport, driver's licence, national ID or state/province ID. Digital IDs are accepted only in Korea.
• If your name doesn't match, you can't test and you get no refund. Contact TOEFL Services before you register if your ID and account differ.

Rules vary by country — check yours on the ETS ID requirements page.

Accommodations, fee reductions and mainland China

• Accommodations: request them before you schedule; ETS Disability Services reviews requests in about 4–6 weeks (longer if more documents are needed) and emails you how to register once approved (ETS accommodations).
• Fee Reduction Service: a voucher for 50% of the regular fee for US high-school seniors with financial need, requested by the school counsellor; one per student (ETS guidelines). ETS has no standing public discount code.
• Mainland China: register on toefl.neea.cn (test centre) or toefl.cn/at-home (Home Edition); some rules differ there (Bulletin, pp.3–4).
• Australian visas: the Bulletin notes that, for now, only tests taken before 21 January 2026 and TOEFL iBT Australia are approved for Australian visa purposes — check before you book for a visa (Bulletin, p.11).

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