Technical review: Tim Hittinger, Language Proficiency Examiner (A-126-LPE)The short answer
- Online tests
- Accepted by ENAC since 30 August 2022 if delivered by an LTB approved by an EASA stateENAC “Language Proficiency Requirements” page
- Conditions
- Candidate’s identity, security and confidentiality throughout the test
- Tests taken in EASA countries
- Recognised for endorsement on an Italian licence, with two reservationsNI-2020-027, § 11
- Our test
- “ICAO Level” test by LTB 112, a Language Testing Body certified and supervised by Austro Control GmbH (Austria)
- ENAC’s list of centres
- GAT is not on it: the list covers centres certified directly by ENAC
- Endorsement
- Done by ENAC, which reprints your licence: the final decision rests with ENAC
ENAC publishes these texts in Italian only; there is no official English version. Below we quote the Italian original and add our own English translation.
What does ENAC say about online tests?
The rule is on the “Language Proficiency Requirements” page of the ENAC website, published on 28 July 2022. It is short, so it is worth reading in full:
«Si comunica che, a partire dal 30 agosto 2022, i test online per la competenza linguistica erogati da Language Testing Bodies (LTB) approvati da Stati appartenenti ad EASA in accordo al Reg. UE 1178/2011 FCL.055, saranno accettati a condizione che siano garantite l’identità del candidato, la sicurezza e la riservatezza durante l’intero svolgimento del test.»
Our translation: “Please note that from 30 August 2022, online language proficiency tests delivered by Language Testing Bodies (LTBs) approved by EASA member states in accordance with Regulation (EU) 1178/2011, FCL.055, will be accepted, provided that the candidate’s identity, security and confidentiality are guaranteed throughout the test.” ENAC – “Language Proficiency Requirements” page (in Italian, last updated 28 July 2022) · check on the ENAC website
In practice, ENAC accepts an online test if three requirements are met:
- it is delivered by a Language Testing Body (LTB);
- the LTB is approved by an EASA state under FCL.055;
- the candidate’s identity, security and confidentiality are guaranteed for the whole test.
The statement asks for nothing more: it does not prescribe a platform, and it does not require the LTB to be Italian or to appear on ENAC’s list of approved centres.
Our test meets the first two requirements: LTB 112 is certified by the Austrian civil aviation authority Austro Control GmbH (see the approval chain). For the third, see how we run every test further down.
Is a test from a foreign LTB valid for an Italian licence?
Yes. ENAC settled this even before it accepted online tests, in Information Note NI-2020-027 of 30 July 2020, which remains in force “until further notice”. Section 11 is headed “Recognition of tests taken abroad”:
«I test di valutazione della competenza linguistica possono essere condotti anche presso organizzazioni estere autorizzate dalle relative autorità. Il livello di competenza conseguito tramite tali test viene riconosciuto e accettato da ENAC come segue:
1. Test effettuato in paesi aderenti al sistema EASA
L’esito del test è riconosciuto e accettato per l’annotazione su licenza di volo italiana.
Tuttavia:– l’ENAC si riserva di decidere se accettare o meno l’esito del test qualora l’implementazione del “language proficiency requirement” da parte del Paese o della singola organizzazione sia oggetto di finding nel corso di visite di standardizzazione da parte di EASA;
– l’ENAC non accetta in nessun caso l’esito di test di inglese svolti durante i proficiency check effettuati da un TRE. […]»
Our translation: “Language proficiency assessment tests may also be conducted at foreign organisations authorised by the relevant authorities. The proficiency level achieved through such tests is recognised and accepted by ENAC as follows: 1. Test taken in countries within the EASA system – The test result is recognised and accepted for endorsement on an Italian pilot licence. However: ENAC reserves the right to decide whether or not to accept the test result if the implementation of the ‘language proficiency requirement’ by the country or the individual organisation is the subject of a finding during EASA standardisation visits; ENAC does not in any case accept the results of English tests conducted during proficiency checks carried out by a TRE. […]” ENAC, Information Note NI-2020-027, § 11 (point 2, omitted here, covers ICAO countries outside EASA) · enac.gov.it (PDF, in Italian)
What this means for you: the result of a test taken with an LTB in an EASA country is recognised for the endorsement on your Italian licence. The two reservations deserve a closer look.
- EASA findings. If EASA, during its standardisation visits, raises a finding on how a country or an individual organisation implements the language requirement, ENAC may decide not to accept its tests. The decision stays with ENAC – which is why nobody can guarantee the endorsement in advance, and neither can we.
- Proficiency checks with a TRE. An English check by a TRE during a proficiency check is never accepted. Our test is a separate assessment conducted within an LTB, so this reservation does not apply to it.
The same Information Note also explains how the level gets onto your licence. This is § 10, “Endorsement on the pilot licence”:
«Una volta stabilito il livello, l’organizzazione che ha erogato il test rilascia un certificato che l’interessato esibirà al competente ufficio della Direzione Aeroportuale dell’ENAC per l’annotazione sulla sua licenza di volo.
L’annotazione dovrà indicare la lingua, il livello di competenza e la data di validità.»
Our translation: “Once the level has been established, the organisation that delivered the test issues a certificate, which the person concerned will present to the competent office of the ENAC Direzione Aeroportuale for endorsement on their pilot licence. The endorsement must state the language, the proficiency level and the validity date.” ENAC, Information Note NI-2020-027, § 10 · enac.gov.it (PDF, in Italian)
Today these offices are ENAC’s Direzioni Territoriali (regional offices); the application form still uses the old name “Direzione Aeroportuale”. Every step is explained in our guide to the ENAC licence endorsement.
The same principle in other ENAC documents
The reference to LTBs within the EASA system also appears in other ENAC texts:
- NI-2022-005 on English radiotelephony requires aeroplane and helicopter licence holders to present a Language Proficiency Check «effettuato presso un Body Language qualificato EASA» – taken at an EASA-qualified language body (NI-2022-005, § 5 );
- the page «Chiarimenti sulla radiotelefonia e sul language proficiency check» of 23 May 2024 states that for other languages, such as Spanish, French or German, «è sufficiente effettuare un Language Proficiency Check presso un LTB (Language Testing Body) regolarmente autorizzato da un Paese del sistema EASA» – it is sufficient to take a Language Proficiency Check at an LTB duly authorised by a country within the EASA system (ENAC page ).
Who approved our test?
Behind your test there is a clear chain of approvals. The key links are public: you can check them in Austro Control’s lists.
The approval chain, link by link
- Austro Control GmbH, the Austrian civil aviation authorityAustria is an EASA member state. Austro Control is the competent authority that certifies Language Testing Bodies and supervises their work.
- LTB 112, Language Testing Body in Leonding (Austria)Listed in Austro Control’s LTB list, approved to use the English test “ICAO Level” for ICAO Levels 4, 5 and 6, with no expiry date (listed as “unlimited”).
- The “ICAO Level” testListed among the tests certified by Austro Control: “Language Proficiency Test for pilots; valid for ICAO Levels 4, 5 and 6”.
- The examiners (LPE)Tim Hittinger (A-126-LPE), Jan Westphal (A-187-LPE) and Johannes Schmelz (A-143-LPE) are on Austro Control’s list of examiners for the “ICAO Level” test, up to Level 6. They always examine within LTB 112.
- The second rating (LPLE)A language expert (LPLE) from LTB 112 rates every test a second time. If required, the test is also rated by Austro Control.
- GAT – German Aviation TrainingOrganises booking, communication and the video call. The certificate is issued by LTB 112.
Austrian rules also provide for the online format. Austro Control’s instructions on language proficiency assessment (ZPH FCL 7) explicitly refer to tests held “in Präsenz oder online” – in person or online. Its rules for LTBs (ZPH FCL 8) allow video supervision for the entire test.
What does EU law say?
The legal basis is FCL.055 in Part-FCL (Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011). Three passages matter for recognition between EASA states:
(a) “[…] The endorsement shall indicate the language, the proficiency level and the validity date, and it shall be obtained in accordance with a procedure established by a competent authority. […]”
(b) “[…] to an assessor certified by a competent authority or a language-testing body approved by a competent authority as applicable.”
(e) “The demonstration of language proficiency and the use of the English language for IR holders shall be done through a method of assessment established by any competent authority.”
Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011, Annex I (Part-FCL), FCL.055 – English text · EUR-Lex
Note the wording: “a competent authority” in (a) and (b), and “any competent authority” in (e) – not necessarily the authority that issued your licence. The Italian version of (e) is less explicit: it says «dalle autorità competenti» (“by the competent authorities”). The “a/any competent authority” wording dates from Regulation (EU) 2019/1747; Regulation (EU) 2020/359 rewrote point (e) and kept “any competent authority”.
EASA explained the purpose in the Opinion that led to this amendment:
“[…] the change in (e) will provide for the recognition of language proficiency assessments performed in accordance with the method of assessment established by Member States other than the one that is responsible for the issue of the pilot licence. This is necessary in order to resolve implementation problems for GA pilots and to ensure the free movement of goods, services, capital and persons.”
EASA, Opinion No 05/2017, p. 11 · easa.europa.eu
For transparency: what the regulation does not say
The regulation contains no specific clause requiring every authority to accept language assessments carried out in another EASA state. Recognition rests on the wording “a competent authority” / “any competent authority”, on the purpose stated by EASA and – for Italy – on the rules published by ENAC.
An EASA Opinion is not binding in itself: what is binding is the text of FCL.055 that resulted from it. For your licence, what matters most is therefore ENAC – and ENAC has stated in writing that it recognises tests taken in EASA countries (NI-2020-027, § 11) and, since 30 August 2022, also accepts online tests. Read more: FCL.055 explained point by point.
GAT is not on ENAC’s list of centres – is that a problem?
No. ENAC publishes a list of certified centres for English language tests («Elenco centri certificati per esami lingua inglese»), updated on 17 July 2026. It contains six providers, each with its own test: PAE, AELP, ILPT, ELPE, EPTA and TEA. GAT and LTB 112 are not on it.
GAT is not a centre certified directly by ENAC, and we never claim to be. It does not need to be, because ENAC provides for two separate routes:
Centres certified directly by ENAC
- Approved byENAC, under the procedure in NI-2020-027
- Where listedon ENAC’s list of certified centres
- TestsPAE, AELP, ILPT, ELPE, EPTA, TEA
LTBs of another EASA state
- Approved bythat state’s authority – for us, Austro Control GmbH
- Where listedin that authority’s lists
- ENAC referenceNI-2020-027, § 11 and the statement on online tests
- Testfor us, “ICAO Level” by LTB 112
ENAC’s list only concerns the first route. LTBs approved by another EASA authority follow the second route, covered separately by § 11. For them, two things count: the LTB must be approved by an EASA state, and the online test must meet ENAC’s three conditions.
How do we guarantee identity, security and confidentiality?
These are ENAC’s three conditions for online tests. This is how we meet them in every test, from sending your ID to the last question.
ENAC’s three conditions in our test
- Identity · ID before the testAfter booking, you send us a copy of your ID card or passport.
- Identity · check on cameraAt the start of the video call, you hold your ID up to the camera and the examiner compares it with you. If you already hold a licence, you show that too.
- Security · supervision throughoutThe examiner watches you on video from the first minute to the last, as Austro Control’s rules require. This rules out unauthorised aids and help from other people.
- Security · alone, no aidsYou are alone in a quiet room: no notes, dictionaries, translators or other apps.
- Security · no recordingsYou may not make any video or audio recording of the test. This is an Austro Control rule, and we remind you of it before we start.
- ConfidentialityTest content is not public, and your data is processed in line with the GDPR. The certificate is sent to you, and you are the one who submits it to ENAC.
Technical requirements and a camera and microphone check: online ICAO test and tech check. How we handle your data: privacy policy.
What do you receive after the test – and what do you do next?
Your certificate arrives by email within 24 hours, usually on the same day. It is issued by LTB 112 and shows, among other things, the name of the Language Testing Body, the Austro Control logo as the competent authority, your name, date and place of birth, the test date and the ICAO level achieved, and it is signed by the head of LTB 112.
On request, we also send you the documents on the approval of LTB 112 and on the examiner’s authorisation – for example to attach to your application to ENAC.
Then it is your turn. For a renewal, you send the form «Domanda rinnovo competenza linguistica inglese (LPR)» by PEC (Italian certified email) to ENAC’s central registry, stating your Direzione Territoriale, together with the certificate, a copy of your licence, a copy of your ID and the receipt for the 32 € payment – all in a single PDF file. ENAC then reprints your licence with the new level. If the certificate is for the issue of a CPL or ATPL or for a first instrument rating, you attach it to the application to the Direzione Personale di Volo (ENAC’s flight crew licensing directorate) instead.
ENAC licence endorsement: step-by-step guide
The final decision on the endorsement rests with ENAC. We give you the LTB 112 certificate and all the information you need for the application. Processing times depend on ENAC, which is why we do not promise any.
Ready for your assessment?
Online ICAO English test, Levels 4–6, with a real examiner: about 30 minutes, certificate within 24 hours. For your first assessment and for renewals.
Who needs a language proficiency endorsement?
FCL.055 (a), in the version applicable since 18 February 2026, says:
“Aeroplane, helicopter, powered-lift aircraft, airship and gyroplane pilots required to use the radio telephone shall not exercise the privileges of their licences and ratings unless they have a language proficiency endorsement on their licence […]”
Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011, Annex I, FCL.055 (a), as amended by Regulation (EU) 2025/134 · EUR-Lex
The endorsement must be in English or in the language used for radio communication on the flight.
You need the English assessment
- Aeroplane, helicopter, powered-lift and airship pilots who use English on the radio
- Gyroplane pilots with a Part-FCL licence, on the same terms, since 18 February 2026
- Anyone who holds or wants an instrument rating (IR): English is always required for the IR
You don’t need it
- Gliders and balloons (Part-SFCL and Part-BFCL): ENAC does not require the certificate
- Recreational and sport flying (VDS, ultralights): not covered by Part-FCL
- Italian citizens who only use Italian on the radio: «Ai cittadini italiani non viene richiesto il Language Proficiency in italiano» – Italian citizens are not required to hold language proficiency in Italian (ENAC, «Chiarimenti», 2024)
Are you a student pilot? You can take the test during your training: some tasks are designed specifically for candidates who do not yet hold a licence.
Does the test replace the English radiotelephony qualification?
No, they are two different requirements. The ICAO assessment certifies your language proficiency. The qualification for radiotelephony in English (“fonia inglese”) is something else.
If your licence currently only covers radiotelephony in Italian, NI-2022-005 sets out a separate route: a course at an ATO or DTO, the theoretical COM exam in English and a simulated practical test with an examiner. You also need the Language Proficiency Check, as NI-2020-027 points out:
«La trascrizione sulla licenza di volo della radiotelefonia in lingua inglese potrà avvenire solo dopo aver superato almeno il Language Proficiency Check livello 4.»
Our translation: “English-language radiotelephony can only be entered on the pilot licence after passing at least a Level 4 Language Proficiency Check.” ENAC, Information Note NI-2020-027, § 4.1 · enac.gov.it (PDF, in Italian)
Our test covers the Language Proficiency Check, but it does not replace the course, the COM exam or the practical test. English radiotelephony vs language proficiency: what you really need
Frequently asked questions about ENAC and online tests
Your centre is not on ENAC’s list – is the test still valid?
Yes, under the conditions published by ENAC. The list covers centres certified directly by ENAC. Tests from LTBs approved by other EASA states follow a separate route: ENAC recognises them for the endorsement (NI-2020-027, § 11) and, since 30 August 2022, also accepts online tests, provided identity, security and confidentiality are guaranteed. GAT is not a centre certified directly by ENAC: our test is run by LTB 112, certified by Austro Control GmbH. The final decision on the endorsement rests with ENAC.
Can I use the test for an instrument rating (IR)?
Yes, under the same ENAC conditions described above. English is always required for the IR (FCL.055 (d)), and our test assesses exactly that, at Levels 4–6. Under NI-2020-027 (§ 4), you may not yet have the certificate at the IR skill test, but you must present it before the IR is endorsed on your licence. For a first IR, the certificate is attached to the application to the Direzione Personale di Volo.
Can ENAC refuse the certificate?
Yes, in specific cases. NI-2020-027 allows ENAC not to accept the result if the implementation of the language requirement in the country or organisation is the subject of a finding during EASA standardisation visits, and it always excludes English tests taken during a proficiency check with a TRE. For online tests, the three conditions also apply: identity, security and confidentiality. That is why we do not promise the endorsement: the final decision rests with ENAC.
Does an online test count the same as an in-person test?
Yes, if it meets ENAC’s three conditions: identity, security and confidentiality throughout the test. Austro Control’s rules also explicitly provide for tests in person or online. The method is the same: six criteria of the ICAO Rating Scale, a double rating and a certificate from LTB 112.
Does an English check by a TRE during a proficiency check count?
No. In NI-2020-027 (§ 11), ENAC states that it «non accetta in nessun caso l’esito di test di inglese svolti durante i proficiency check effettuati da un TRE» – it does not in any case accept English tests taken during proficiency checks by a TRE. You need a separate language proficiency assessment with an LTB or an authorised centre.
I only fly in Italy and use Italian on the radio – do I need the test?
If you are an Italian citizen, ENAC does not require language proficiency in Italian. You need the English test if you want to use English on the radio, or if you hold or want an IR. To switch to English on the radio, you also need the English radiotelephony qualification. English radiotelephony vs language proficiency
Do glider, balloon or ultralight (VDS) pilots need the test?
No. For glider and balloon licences (Part-SFCL and Part-BFCL), ENAC does not require a language proficiency certificate, and recreational and sport flying (VDS) is not covered by Part-FCL. Since 18 February 2026, however, gyroplane pilots with a Part-FCL licence do need the endorsement.
Official sources
- ENAC, “Language Proficiency Requirements” page: statement on online tests since 30 August 2022 (last updated 28 July 2022, in Italian) – enac.gov.it
- ENAC, Information Note NI-2020-027 of 30 July 2020, §§ 4, 10 and 11 (in Italian) – enac.gov.it (PDF)
- ENAC, Information Note NI-2022-005 of 10 March 2022 (radiotelephony in English, in Italian) – enac.gov.it (PDF)
- ENAC, «Chiarimenti sulla radiotelefonia e sul language proficiency check» (23 May 2024) – enac.gov.it
- ENAC, «Elenco centri certificati per esami lingua inglese» (updated 17 July 2026) – enac.gov.it
- ENAC, form «Domanda rinnovo competenza linguistica inglese (LPR)» – enac.gov.it
- Austro Control GmbH: lists of Language Testing Bodies, tests, examiners (LPE) and language experts (LPLE) – in English · in German
- Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011, Annex I (Part-FCL), FCL.055 – consolidated text on EUR-Lex: English · Italian
- EASA, Easy Access Rules for Aircrew (FCL.055 and AMC1 FCL.055) – easa.europa.eu
- EASA, Opinion No 05/2017, p. 11 (amendment of FCL.055 (e)) – easa.europa.eu
Sources checked on 6 October 2026. This page summarises official rules and statements and is not legal advice: the official texts are authoritative. Translations from Italian are our own.