What is Language Testing International (LTI)?

Language Testing International® (LTI) is the exclusive licensee of ACTFL® language proficiency assessments: it delivers, proctors and rates official ACTFL tests for employers, government agencies, colleges, K-12 schools and districts, and individuals who need a verified language credential.

Language Testing International is a language testing company. In plain words, it is the company you go through to take an official ACTFL test such as the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) , the OPIc or the Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) . ACTFL designs the tests and certifies the testers and raters; LTI schedules, delivers and scores them and issues the ACTFL certificate.

LTI has tested since 1992, is headquartered in Tarrytown, New York, and tests in more than 120 languages across more than 60 countries. It administers more than one million tests a year and has certified more than five million test takers.

Customers include the Department of Defense , the Department of State , AT&T , JetBlue , Mayo Clinic , Georgetown University , Yale University and the New York City Department of Education .

What is different is the credential. ACTFL assessments provide official ACTFL ratings on the ACTFL, ILR or CEFR scale, rated by ACTFL-certified humans (or validated machine scoring for some writing and speaking tests).

Federal agencies, 27 states' teacher licensing boards, Seal of Biliteracy programs and the American Council on Education all recognize it. A homemade bilingual screen or a generic online quiz does not carry that level of rigor, validity, and reliability.

If you're here to figure out which test fits your people, what it costs and how fast you can get results, this page answers those three things first. It also covers how LTI compares with other language tests and with assessing staff yourself.

The sections below cover what LTI is, how each test works, how LTI compares, who it is for, pricing and getting started, results and proof, and the questions people ask before they think of LTI. Browse by section or jump to your question.

Request a quote or talk to the LTI sales team . Individuals can order a test directly .

What is Language Testing International?

What does Language Testing International do?

Language Testing International delivers and scores official ACTFL language proficiency tests in speaking, writing, reading and listening. It schedules the test, provides remote proctoring, has ACTFL-certified raters score it, and issues the certificate and digital badge.

Organizations get a client site for ordering, scheduling and reporting. LTI tests more than 120 languages and administers more than one million tests a year. About LTI .

Is Language Testing International the same as ACTFL?

No. ACTFL (the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, founded 1967, more than 10,000 members) is the nonprofit that has delivered the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, designs and validates the assessments, and certifies testers and raters.

Language Testing International is ACTFL's exclusive licensee: the company that sells, delivers, proctors and scores those assessments. If you want an official ACTFL rating, you can only take it through LTI. Who we are .

Who owns Language Testing International?

Language Testing International is a Samsung-affiliated company. Its site describes it as "a Samsung company," and its 2026 CEO announcement names Multicampus, a Korea-based company, as LTI's parent and distributor. LTI was co-founded in 1992 by Helen Hamlyn and Bob Katz and remains headquartered in Tarrytown, New York. About LTI .

Where is Language Testing International located?

Language Testing International is at 580 White Plains Road, Suite 660, Tarrytown, NY 10591, with phone 1-800-486-8444. Testing itself is remote: candidates take tests online or by phone from more than 60 countries, and organizations can also arrange on-site proctoring through HR or faculty. Contact LTI .

How long has Language Testing International been in business?

Language Testing International has delivered ACTFL assessments since 1992, served corporate clients for more than 25 years and government agencies since 1998. Over that time, it has certified more than five million test takers. Company history .

Who runs Language Testing International?

Language Testing International is led by CEO Kim Sallee, appointed in March 2026. She joined LTI in 2018, previously served as Vice President of Assessment Products, and before that held world-language product roles at McGraw-Hill Education and taught Spanish at the University of Missouri-St. Louis

Co-founder Helen Hamlyn led the company through 2022; Tiziana Aime served as CEO from 2022 to 2026. About LTI .

What languages can you test through Language Testing International?

Language Testing International tests more than 120 languages, from Afrikaans to Zulu. The OPI alone covers more than 120, including Arabic, Mandarin, Cantonese, French, German, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Pashto, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Urdu and Vietnamese, plus Arabic dialects on the ILR scale.

The AAPPL for K-12 covers 12 languages including ASL. A language not on the list can be requested through ACTFL. Language list .

What scales does Language Testing International report scores on?

Language Testing International reports on three scales: the ACTFL scale (Novice through Superior, with Low/Mid/High sublevels for Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced), the ILR scale used by the U.S. government (0 to 5, with plus levels) and the CEFR scale (A1 to C2). Available reporting scales depend on the specific assessment and reporting option. Understanding proficiency .

Not sure which scale or test your organization needs? Ask the LTI sales team .

How Language Testing International works

What is the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) from Language Testing International?

The OPI is a live 15- to 30-minute phone conversation with an ACTFL-certified tester who adapts questions to the candidate's level and background.

Language Testing International schedules it and reports the rating on the ACTFL, ILR or CEFR scale. Webcam-based secure proctoring through a third-party proctoring firm is available for remote test takers. It is available in more than 120 languages and is the test most states accept for teacher certification. It is scored by ACTFL-certified raters. OPI carries American Council on Education credit recommendations. OPI details .

What is the OPIc and how is it different from the OPI?

The OPIc (Oral Proficiency Interview by Computer) is a recorded 20- to 40-minute speaking test where an on-screen avatar asks prompts customized from a short background survey.

It is available on demand, 24/7, which makes it the practical choice for hiring at volume. Certified ACTFL raters score it. Webcam-based secure proctoring through a third-party proctoring firm is available for remote test takers. Language Testing International used the English OPIc for the New York MTA's safety-sensitive roles. OPIc carries American Council on Education credit recommendations. OPIc details .

What is the ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test (WPT)?

The WPT is an internet-delivered writing test of four to five prompts on practical, social and professional topics, tailored by a survey, taking 20 to 80 minutes. ACTFL-certified raters score it on the ACTFL, ILR or CEFR scale. Language Testing International pairs it with the OPI for teacher certification and the Seal of Biliteracy. WPT carries American Council on Education credit recommendations. WPT details .

What are the Reading (RPT) and Listening (LPT) Proficiency Tests?

The RPT and LPT are internet-delivered multiple-choice tests of 50 to 125 minutes, auto-scored, with near-immediate results. Language Testing International also offers the L&Rcat , a computer-adaptive version that combines reading and listening and adjusts difficulty to the candidate. Both the RPT and LPT carry American Council on Education credit recommendations. RPT · LPT · L&Rcat .

What is the ACTFL Test of English Proficiency (TEP)?

The TEP is a four-skills English test that combines the OPIc (speaking), WPT (writing) and L&Rcat (listening and reading). It is remotely proctored on the candidate's own computer and rated against the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. Language Testing International offers it to universities for admissions and to companies and agencies that need an English credential for hiring. TEP details .

What is the ACTFL Proficiency Placement Test (APPT)?

The APPT is a computer-adaptive, non-proctored listening and reading test in French and Spanish that takes 60 minutes or less and places incoming college students from Novice Low to Advanced Low. Language Testing International sells it to higher-education language departments that want placement tied to the same ACTFL scale as their exit requirements. APPT details .

What is the AAPPL test for K-12 students?

The AAPPL (ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages) is a language test for learners in grades 3-12, aligned to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines and the World-Readiness Standards. Students complete real-world tasks such as video chats, wikis and emails across four components: Interpersonal Listening/Speaking, Presentational Writing, Interpretive Reading and Interpretive Listening. AAPPL is the only test of its kind that tests interpersonal speaking via its innovative simulated video chat.

The four components take about 2.5 hours combined and can be ordered and administered individually, offering schools flexibility. Language Testing International offers it in 12 languages including ASL, with Form E for grades 3 and 4 and Forms A and B for grades 5-12. AAPPL is used in the US and internationally for progress tracking, placement, curriculum improvements, and the Seal of Biliteracy. It’s a popular choice in world language programs, dual language immersion programs, and Career and Technical (CTE) programs. AAPPL for schools .

Can the AAPPL be used for the Seal of Biliteracy?

Yes. Schools order AAPPL Form A or B for Seal of Biliteracy testing, based on each state’s requirements.

For 24 less commonly taught languages, Language Testing International offers an OPI and WPT bundle customized for 11th and 12th graders. Acceptance rules differ by state, so check your state's approved list. OPI & WPT for the Seal of Biliteracy .

What is ALIRA?

ALIRA (ACTFL Latin Interpretive Reading Assessment) is a computer-adaptive reading test for Latin students. Each text is followed by one or two multiple-choice questions on main idea, detail, point of view, inference or purpose. Language Testing International administers it alongside the AAPPL for K-12 programs and in higher education. ALIRA can be used for the Seal of Biliteracy attainment. Check your state’s requirements. ALIRA details .

How does remote proctoring work with Language Testing International?

Language Testing International provides remote proctoring for most tests via a third-party proctoring company. The candidate signs into the proctoring platform on a computer with internet and a webcam, and a proctor observes while the test runs (for the OPI, the candidate calls the tester by phone during the session). For K12 assessments, video-based proctoring is available for learners 13+ years old.

Organizations and schools can use an authorized on-site proctor such as an HR representative or faculty or staff member. Proctoring guides are available. Technical requirements .

How long does it take to get results from Language Testing International?

It depends on the test. Machine-scored tests ( RPT , LPT , L&Rcat , AAPPL reading and listening) post results within about a day; LTI says ratings can be available the same business day for some tests and client needs.

Human-rated tests ( OPI , OPIc , WPT , AAPPL speaking and writing) usually take 5-10 business days, and might take up to 15 business days during the March-May school peak. FAQ .

What is machine scoring at Language Testing International?

Machine scoring at LTI is a trained scoring model, not generative AI. It is trained on responses already rated by ACTFL-certified humans, validated against human ratings it has not seen, and backed up by a human rating whenever the two disagree.

Language Testing International currently uses it for Spanish AAPPL Presentational Writing and Interpersonal Listening and Speaking, plus the auto-scored multiple-choice reading and listening tests. Machine scoring .

What are ACTFL digital badges from Language Testing International?

ACTFL Digital Badges , powered by Credly, are shareable credentials for speaking, writing, reading or listening proficiency. They are free with any official OPI, OPIc, WPT, LPT or RPT rated at Novice High or above (Intermediate Mid for listening, Intermediate High for reading).

Language Testing International has issued over 20,000 badges, which earners post to LinkedIn or resumes and employers can verify. Digital badges .

How does an employer verify a Language Testing International certificate?

Employers verify a credential on LTI's site by typing the certification or verification number from the candidate's certificate (copy and paste is disabled on purpose). Language Testing International results are valid for two years. Digital badges can also be verified through Credly. Verify a credential .

How does Language Testing International help set the right proficiency level for a job?

Language Testing International works with HR to recommend a minimum proficiency level per role, and offers a formal task analysis that maps job duties to the level required. The City of Roanoke used this approach to build a bilingual incentive pay policy, and the New York MTA used it to set minimum English levels for safety-sensitive jobs. Corporate testing .

Can Language Testing International run a language audit of current staff?

Yes. Language Testing International can test existing employees across many languages at once to verify their proficiency level in a language. Organizations use the audit to staff customer-facing roles, qualify employees for bilingual pay, and stop relying on untrained bilingual coworkers to judge each other. FAQ .

How do organizations order and manage tests with Language Testing International?

Organizations open a free account with no minimum volume, then order through sales or the client site, schedule candidates, and view results and reports online. The steps are:

• Choose the test and scale your organization needs.
• Order through the sales or support team (government buyers can use the GSA schedule and public agencies can order through Sourcewell cooperative contract).
• Candidates test anywhere; results post to the client site.
• Verify credentials online when needed.

Language Testing International explains the process on its organizations page. Tests for organizations .

Want LTI to recommend the right test and level for your roles? Request a quote .

How Language Testing International compares

Can I take an ACTFL test without going through Language Testing International?

No, not for an official rating. Language Testing International is ACTFL's exclusive licensee, so every official OPI, OPIc, WPT, RPT, LPT, AAPPL and ALIRA is delivered and scored through LTI. Some universities host testing centers, but they order through LTI. ACTFL itself trains testers and publishes the guidelines; it does not sell tests. Who we are .

How does Language Testing International compare with other language assessments?

Language Testing International delivers official ACTFL language assessments, the only company authorized to do so. Other assessments may report aligned or correlated results, but only official ACTFL assessments provide official ACTFL ratings and certificates. ACTFL assessments are aligned with the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, issue scores on the ACTFL scale, and are rated by ACTFL-certified raters. They are also externally validated and backed by decades of research. ACTFL ratings carry weight across industries, in academia, and in government; many employers rely on ACTFL scores for hiring decisions.

Why not just have a bilingual employee assess candidates?

Because informal assessments may lack standardized administration, consistent scoring, and independently validated results. Language Testing International and ACTFL both advise against it: untrained assessors produce inconsistent ratings, and a coworker's opinion may be difficult to substantiate consistently in a hiring or pay decision.

LTI testers hold at least a master's degree, complete ACTFL training, and recertify every four years. The City of Roanoke moved to LTI testing for exactly this reason when it set up bilingual incentive pay. FAQ .

Should we build our own language test in-house instead of using Language Testing International?

It is not recommended. Building a valid and reliable test means writing items per language and level, training raters, running validity studies and maintaining it, for every language you hire in.

Language Testing International already covers more than 120 languages with more than 50 years of ACTFL research behind the scale. Building in-house makes sense only for a single language at very high volume, and even then the result is not portable or externally recognized. Research .

Are free online language tests a substitute for Language Testing International?

No. Free placement quizzes measure grammar and vocabulary recognition, are unproctored, and produce no verifiable credential. Language Testing International tests measure what a person can actually do with the language, are proctored, and produce a certificate any employer can verify online. Free tests are fine for self-study; they are not evidence for hiring, pay or licensing. Verify a credential .

What does the comparison look like side by side?

The table below compares Language Testing International with the two alternatives employers raise most often and with assessing staff yourself.

Comparing options for your organization? LTI's sales team will tell you which test fits .

Who Language Testing International is for

Is Language Testing International for corporate HR teams?

Yes. HR teams use Language Testing International to verify bilingual candidates before hiring, qualify employees for bilingual pay differentials, audit existing staff and set proficiency levels per role.

Named commercial clients include AT&T , Verizon , Mayo Clinic , JetBlue , Hawaiian Airlines , Samsung . LTI has industry pages for hospitality, insurance, manufacturing, retail, tourism and transportation. Corporate testing .

Is Language Testing International for government agencies?

Yes. Language Testing International has tested for state and federal agencies since 1998, reports on the ILR scale, and sells through GSA contract GS-10F-0032Y. Clients include the Department of Defense , Department of State , Defense Language Institute , state education departments, court interpreter services and police departments. Government testing .

Is Language Testing International for colleges and universities?

Yes. More than 120 institutions, including Yale , Johns Hopkins , Rice , Michigan State , Middlebury , West Point and Georgetown , use Language Testing International for placement, exit requirements, program evaluation, teacher-candidate certification and credit by examination. LTI administers hundreds of thousands of higher-education tests a year. Higher education .

Is Language Testing International for K-12 schools and districts?

Yes. Districts and world-language departments use the AAPPL and ALIRA for program assessment, placement and the Seal of Biliteracy.

Named K-12 clients include Denver Public Schools , Dallas ISD , Knox County Schools , Riverside County Schools and the New York City Department of Education . AAPPL and ALIRA carry PRIVO's COPPA Safe Harbor seal and LTI states it is FERPA compliant. K-12 / AAPPL .

Can an individual use Language Testing International?

Yes. Individuals order directly online: job seekers proving a language on a resume, teacher candidates meeting a state requirement, students seeking college credit, and professionals who want a digital badge.

Pick the language, the test, the institution that should receive scores (if any), then schedule and check out. Language Testing International sends a Credly badge with qualifying results. Order a test .

Who is Language Testing International not for?

Language Testing International is not for anyone who wants a language lesson, a practice quiz or a quick self-check. It does not teach languages and does not publish scores for languages where it lacks rater capacity.

It is also the wrong fit for companies that just want a free five-minute screener with no credential behind it. FAQ .

Fit one of these groups? Tell LTI about your use case .

Pricing, terms and getting started with Language Testing International

How much does Language Testing International cost for organizations?

Commercial and academic pricing is quoted per organization; LTI does not publish a price list and says standard pricing does not vary by volume. Public agencies (such as school district and state and local government agencies) can purchase assessment through the Sourcewell cooperative contract. Sourcewell

The only public prices are on its GSA schedule: OPI $136.88 certified / $109.12 commercial, OPIc $62.22 / $57.43, and the Business Writing Test $62.22 / $47.86 per test. Confirm pricing with LTI. Remote proctoring is an additional fee. GSA schedule .

How much does an ACTFL test cost for an individual through Language Testing International?

Individual prices appear at checkout after you choose the language and test, and they vary by test. As a reference point, the per-test rates are roughly $54 to $176 depending on the test type. Order a test .

Is there a minimum order or contract with Language Testing International?

No. Account setup is free and has no minimum test volume; you provide expected volume, languages and contact details. FAQ .

Can federal agencies buy Language Testing International tests through GSA?

Yes. Language Testing International holds GSA contract GS-10F-0032Y (Federal Supply Group 738 II, SIN 382-3), so eligible agencies order at schedule rates without a separate procurement. OPIs canceled less than 24 hours before start are billed $60. GSA schedule .

What is the retest policy at Language Testing International?

Standard policy is a 90-day wait before retesting. Language Testing International recommends using the time for real study, since testing again right away rarely changes the result. Candidates who question a rating can request a diagnostic feedback report from customercare@languagetesting.com. FAQ .

Does Language Testing International provide test accommodations?

Yes. Requests go to the accommodations team and are handled case by case, with no extra fee for approved accommodations. Documentation is kept confidential under LTI's privacy policy. Language Testing International also lists academic accommodation guidance for institutions. Test accommodations .

How long are Language Testing International results valid?

Two years. ACTFL certificates can be verified online during that window, and digital badges can be awarded retroactively up to two years after the test date. Replacement certificates are available by emailing customercare@languagetesting.com. FAQ .

How do I get started with Language Testing International?

Organizations request a quote through the sales page or call 1-800-486-8444; LTI sets up a free client account and helps pick the test and level.

Individuals order directly online in six steps: choose language, choose test, schedule, sign in, check out, confirm. K-12 schools open an AAPPL account at the AAPPL order site. Language Testing International answers purchase questions at its support page. Contact sales .

How to get Language Testing International approved by your boss

"We keep deciding who is bilingual by asking a coworker, and and we need consistent evidence to support hiring and pay decisions. Language Testing International gives us an official ACTFL rating, the same one federal agencies and 27 state licensing boards use, with human raters and an online certificate we can verify. There is no contract or minimum; we pay per test, and the government rate for a speaking test is under $140. I want to pilot it on our next ten bilingual hires and the staff already getting language pay."

Ready to price it for your team? Request a quote from LTI .

Results and proof

How many tests does Language Testing International administer?

More than one million tests a year, across more than 120 languages and more than 60 countries. Language Testing International has certified more than five million test takers since 1992 and issued over 20,000 Credly digital badges. Homepage .

Which well-known organizations use Language Testing International?

Government: Department of Defense , Department of State , Defense Language Institute . Business: AT&T , Verizon , Deloitte & Touche , Mayo Clinic , JetBlue , West Jet . Education: more than 120 institutions including Brigham Young , Yale , Johns Hopkins and West Point . Language Testing International lists them on its client pages. Clients .

Do colleges give credit for Language Testing International tests?

Yes. Five ACTFL tests delivered by Language Testing International (OPI, OPIc, WPT, RPT, LPT) carry American Council on Education credit recommendations, first established in a 2016 ACE review and updated as of June 2024. Credits depend on the rating earned, from Novice Low to Superior, and each institution decides how to apply them. Credit recommendations .

Which states accept Language Testing International tests for teacher certification?

27 states accept ACTFL assessments for world-language teacher certification, and most require the OPI or OPIc plus the WPT at Intermediate High or Advanced Low. ACTFL is also the recognized world-language association within CAEP accreditation. Language Testing International links to the NCSSFL state-by-state requirements list. Teacher certification .

Is there independent research behind Language Testing International tests?

Yes. The ACTFL scale rests on more than 50 years of research, including over three decades of published validation studies by independent researchers; LTI publishes a bibliography. Raters pass the ACTFL Tester Certification process, hold at least a master's degree, and recertify every four years. Language Testing International also publishes an AI research library on its machine scoring. Research .

Does Language Testing International have case studies?

Yes. Published case studies include the New York MTA (English OPIc for safety-sensitive roles with 24-hour turnaround required), the City of Roanoke (bilingual incentive pay for a city where about 10% of 100,000 residents have limited English), JetBlue (language testing inside the JetBlue Scholars degree program), Mosaic Medical and a podcast with AT&T .

Most report process rather than measured outcomes. Case studies .

Want to see how a similar organization uses LTI? Ask sales for the relevant case study .

Questions people ask before they think of Language Testing International

How do I test an employee's language proficiency for a bilingual role?

Use a standardized, proctored test scored on a recognized scale, and set the required level per role before you test. The ACTFL and ILR scales are the common standard in the United States.

Language Testing International is the only source of official ACTFL tests and will help set the role's level. Corporate testing .

How do you verify language skills for a bilingual pay differential?

Require an external, documented rating at or above a level you set in policy, re-verified on a schedule. Cities and companies most often use an ACTFL OPI or OPIc rating. Language Testing International worked with the City of Roanoke on exactly this policy, and its certificates are verifiable online for two years. Roanoke case study .

Which tests qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy?

Each state publishes an approved list; most include the AAPPL (Form B), the ACTFL OPI and WPT for the Seal of Biliteracy, and ALIRA. Only Language Testing International delivers ACTFL assessments. Check your state education department's list before ordering. Seal of Biliteracy testing .

How can a student get college credit for speaking another language?

Take a test the college accepts for credit by examination: CLEP (a few languages), AP, or an ACTFL assessment with an American Council on Education credit recommendation. Language Testing International delivers the ACTFL OPI, OPIc, WPT, RPT and LPT, which cover more than 100 languages. Confirm the receiving college's policy before ordering tests. Credit recommendations .

What language test do I need to become a world-language teacher?

Most states require an ACTFL OPI or OPIc and WPT at Intermediate High or Advanced Low; some use Praxis or state-specific tests instead. Language Testing International administers the ACTFL tests and lets you select your state and institution at checkout so scores go where they need to. Check your state’s requirements before ordering a test. Teacher certification .

If the answer to any of these is "an ACTFL rating," LTI is where you get it .