Citizenship Test Exceptions and Accommodations: 50/20, 55/15, 65/20 and Disability

Naturalization law recognizes that learning English or memorizing civics facts can be unfair for people who have lived in the United States for many years, or who have a physical, developmental or mental condition. The rules are specific. You qualify only if you meet the exact age and residence conditions on the day you file Form N-400.

The exceptions at a glance

"Years as a permanent resident" means years with a green card, counted from the date your permanent residence began, not the total years you have lived in the United States.

English test exceptions: 50/20 and 55/15

If you filed your N-400 at age 50 or older and have been a permanent resident for 20 years or more, or at age 55 or older with 15 years or more, the English reading, writing and speaking test is waived.

You still sit the civics test, but you may answer in the language you speak best. You must bring your own interpreter (see below).

The 65/20 special consideration

Applicants who were 65 or older when they filed and have held a green card for 20 years or more get an easier civics test:

• You study only 20 questions, marked with an asterisk (*) on the official list for your version of the test.
• The officer asks you up to 10 of them, and you must answer 6 correctly.
• You may take the test in your preferred language, with your own interpreter.
• You also qualify for the English exception.

The list of starred questions is different in the 2025 version than in the 2008 version. Which one you use depends on your filing date: filed on or after October 20, 2025, the 2025 version. Our all-questions page marks the starred questions, and our civics test guide compares the versions.

Medical disability exception (Form N-648)

You can ask to be excused from both parts of the test (English and civics) if a physical or developmental disability or a mental impairment prevents you from learning or demonstrating the material. Key points:

• A licensed medical professional must complete and sign Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. USCIS accepts certifications from medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy and licensed clinical psychologists.
• The condition must be a medically determinable physical or developmental disability, or a mental impairment, and it must be the cause of your inability to learn. Low education, illiteracy or being unfamiliar with English are not enough.
• You file the N-648 with the N-400, or bring it to the interview. Check the current form instructions on timing.
• On the N-400, you indicate that you are requesting a disability exception. See the N-400 guide.
• USCIS reviews the form, and the officer decides whether to grant the exception. Careful, detailed medical explanations help.

Because the stakes are high, many applicants work with a legal-aid provider or an accredited representative on this request.

Accommodations: help during the test

An accommodation is a change to how the test is given, to give people with disabilities a fair chance. It is different from an exception. You still take the test, but under adjusted conditions. USCIS may allow, depending on your need:

• extra time and breaks
• an oral writing test, or large-print or braille reading material
• a sign language interpreter
• a family member, guardian or representative at the interview
• an interview at a different location, such as at home

Ask for accommodations as early as you can: on the N-400, by contacting USCIS, or through the options in your online account. Describe your need clearly.

Interpreters

When you are allowed to answer the civics questions in your own language, you bring your own interpreter to the interview, unless USCIS tells you otherwise. In general:

• The interpreter must be fluent in English and in your language.
• They do not have to be certified or professionally trained.
• Your attorney or representative, or a witness in your case, cannot serve as your interpreter.
• USCIS may ask you and the interpreter to sign a declaration form (currently Form G-1256) before the interview.

A friend or family member who is not involved in your case often works well.

The oath and other exceptions

Some applicants who cannot understand the meaning of the oath because of a disability may have it waived. Children under 14 are not required to take it. See the oath guide. Separate from the test, some people working abroad for certain US organizations may preserve continuous residence with Form N-470 before they leave (see the requirements guide).

Common mistakes

• Counting the wrong years. The residence years are as a permanent resident, not total time in the country.
• Using the age at the interview. Your age when you file is what counts.
• Forgetting the civics test. The 50/20 and 55/15 exceptions waive English, not civics.
• Not arranging an interpreter in advance.
• Filing an incomplete N-648, without the doctor's explanation of why the condition prevents learning.

Sources and further reading

• 8 U.S.C. § 1423: English and civics requirement, with exceptions
• USCIS, Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions
• USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12: Citizenship and Naturalization
• Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), Preparing your clients for the 2025 naturalization civics test
• Citizenshipworks

This page is general information, not legal advice. Whether you qualify for an exception depends on exact facts, so consult a licensed attorney or accredited representative. We are not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency. Last reviewed October 21, 2026.