Taking the VCA exam in English or another language
The VCA exam is not only available in Dutch. In its news item on the renewed exams (updated on 29 April 2026), SSVV wrote that they are available in Dutch, English, German and French, and that the other languages follow from 1 August 2026. Ask your exam centre which languages it offers now.
According to SSVV, an exam in another language costs about 20 to 50 euros more (checked on 22 October 2026).
This page summarises what SSVV writes on ssvv.nl (in Dutch) about languages, reading aloud and language level in the VCA exams. SSVV develops and manages certification schemes for safe and healthy work; VCA is a trademark of SSVV registered in the Benelux. Examenzaal is not a training provider or exam centre and is not part of SSVV; our practice material is not SSVV's. You take your exam at an exam centre recognised by SSVV.
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Which languages?
SSVV wrote that the renewed exams are being rolled out in phases, that they are currently available in Dutch, English, German and French, and that the other languages follow from 1 August 2026. That news item doesn't say which other languages.
If you take B-VCA as four partial exams (modules), you can only do that in Dutch.
Trouble reading? The read-aloud exam
If you have trouble reading, you can get a read-aloud exam, but only for B-VCA. The computer then reads the exam questions to you word for word. You can't take an oral exam.
Like an exam in another language, a read-aloud exam costs about 20 to 50 euros more than a regular exam, according to SSVV (checked on 22 October 2026). The exact price comes from the exam centre.
The language level of the exam
SSVV gives language level A2 (1F) for the B-VCA exam and B1 (2F) for the VOL-VCA and VIL-VCU exams. The sources we read don't say whether they also apply to the exams in other languages. SSVV stresses that you need to be able to read and understand the language to take the exam.
If you want to get better at reading, writing and understanding Dutch, SSVV points to Stichting Lezen & Schrijven, where you can take lessons or get help from a language coach.
The glossary and books in other languages
SSVV has made an overview of important words that can come up in an exam: the glossary (begrippenlijst), with terms and technical words. It is available in several languages and can help you during your training or when you prepare for the exam.
Textbooks in other languages exist too, but SSVV doesn't manage them.
Your certificate in another language
According to SSVV, you can also get your certificate in another language; you ask the certifying body for it.
Belgium and the Netherlands work from the same final attainment levels and test criteria (exam criteria); other countries have different ones.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take VCA in English?
Yes. SSVV names English as one of the languages of the renewed exams, next to Dutch, German and French. Ask your exam centre whether it offers your exam in English.
Can I take VCA in a language other than English, German or French?
SSVV wrote that the other languages follow from 1 August 2026, but didn't say which in that news item. Ask the exam centre which languages it offers now.
Does an exam in English cost more?
According to SSVV, an exam in another language costs about 20 to 50 euros more (checked on 22 October 2026). The exact price comes from the exam centre.
Can I take the exam orally?
No. According to SSVV, you can't take an oral exam. If you have trouble reading, you can get a read-aloud exam for B-VCA.
Is there a VCA practice exam in English?
Yes. Examenzaal has practice exams in English for B-VCA and VOL-VCA, translated from our checked Dutch questions using SSVV's English glossary. You can take practice exam 1 without paying; your result and the explanations come with full access.
This explanation was written by Examenzaal. We checked SSVV's information (in Dutch) on 22 October 2026. Examenzaal is an independent provider of practice material. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
Get ready with a full practice exam
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