Requirement
The U.S. Department of State requires all J-1 Exchange Visitors to demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English, as determined by an objective measurement of English language proficiency, to successfully participate in their program activity and to function on a day-to-day basis.
Documentation
Following Department of State guidelines, the ISSO Scholar & Employment Unit offers several options for J-1 Scholars to demonstrate required English language proficiency:
- Standardized English Tests - Iowa State University accepts the following test scores and requires the minimum score indicated for each (scores should be no older than 2 years, minimums subject to change):
- Cambridge English Assessment: 140
- Duolingo English Test: 80
- IELTS: 4.0
- Oxford Test of English: 81
- PTE Academic: 43
- TOEFL iBT: 42 (if taken before 01/21/2026) or 3.0 (if taken after 01/21/2026)
- English3 Interview
- The interview is conducted online and is scored by English3. Iowa State University requires a minimum score of 3.0, and the score should be no older than 2 years. Please visit the English3 website for more information.
- Earned degree (Bachelor's Degree or higher) from a school where the language of instruction was English
- The applicant must provide a copy of the diploma and, if the university is located in a country where English is not the only official language, additional documentation that the language of instruction for their degree program was English.
- Citizen of a country in which English is the ONLY OFFICIAL language (See list here)
- This country list is the same used by ISU Admissions when determining which students must provide an English score as part of the admissions process.