Duolingo English Test Score Validity: Two Years
A certified DET result is valid for two years from the date of certification. Verify the current evidence route and official source before you act.
A certified DET result is valid for two years from the date of certification. During this period, you can share your certificate with institutions or organisations that accept the Duolingo English Test. After two years, the certificate expires and cannot be viewed or shared. Institutions also lose access to expired results. This rule is set by the Duolingo English Test owner and is published in their official documentation (DET score validity).
Key takeaways
- A university can also apply its own application-cycle policy before that expiry date.
- A purchased DET credit can allow up to three starts but only one certified result.
- Certified results remain valid for two years and cannot be shared or viewed as a certificate after expiry.
- Appeal eligibility, technical retakes and rule-violation outcomes are different processes.
- A certified Duolingo English Test result is valid for two years from the date of certification.
In this guide: What happens after two years | Institution and cycle policies | DET credits and retakes | Decision table | Scenario: University application | Checklist: What to do next | How we researched | Sources
What happens after two years
Once the two-year validity period ends, your DET certificate is no longer accessible. You cannot download, view, or share it, and institutions will not be able to access your result. This means that if you need to provide proof of English proficiency after two years, you must take the test again and obtain a new certified result. There is no official process to extend or reactivate an expired DET certificate.
Institution and cycle policies
While the DET certificate is valid for two years, some universities or organisations may have their own policies that require a more recent result. For example, a university might only accept test results from the most recent application cycle, even if your certificate is still within the two-year window. Always check the specific requirements of the institution or organisation to which you are applying. The final decision on acceptance rests with the receiving organisation.
DET credits and retakes
When you purchase a DET credit, you are allowed up to three test starts, but only one certified result per credit. If you encounter technical issues or rule violations, these are handled through separate processes and do not affect the standard two-year validity of a certified result. Appeals, technical retakes, and rule-violation outcomes are not covered by the standard validity period and have their own rules.
Decision table
| Check | Current position |
|---|---|
| 1 | A university can also apply its own application-cycle policy before that expiry date. |
| 2 | A purchased DET credit can allow up to three starts but only one certified result. |
| 3 | Certified results remain valid for two years and cannot be shared or viewed as a certificate after expiry. |
| 4 | Appeal eligibility, technical retakes and rule-violation outcomes are different processes. |
| 5 | The current primary source and the receiving organisation control the final decision. |
Scenario: University application
Suppose you take the DET and receive a certified result. You plan to apply to a university that accepts the DET as proof of English proficiency. Your certificate is valid for two years from the date of certification. However, the university requires that all test results be from the current application cycle, which may be less than two years. If your certificate was issued more than one cycle ago, you may need to retake the test even if it has not yet expired according to Duolingo's two-year rule. Always confirm the institution's policy before submitting your score.
Checklist: What to do next
- Confirm the date your DET certificate was issued.
- Check the two-year expiry date for your certified result.
- Review the specific requirements of the institution or organisation to which you are applying.
- Ensure your certificate will be valid and accepted at the time of application.
- Keep a copy of the official DET validity rule (DET score validity) for your records.
- If your certificate is expired or does not meet the institution's requirements, plan to retake the test.
Related guides
- Duolingo English Test Results: How Long in 2026?
- Duolingo English Test Attempts, Credits and Retakes
How we researched
This guide is based on official documentation from the Duolingo English Test and supporting research on language test score validity. We reviewed the current rules as of September 2026 and cross-checked policies with authoritative sources. All claims are supported by the sources listed below.
Sources
- DET score validity, checked 2026-09-06.
- DET validity research, checked 2026-09-06.
- Council of Europe CEFR, checked 2026-09-06.
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FAQ
How long is a certified Duolingo English Test result valid?
Can I share my DET certificate after two years?
Do universities have their own DET score policies?
How many times can I use a DET credit?
What happens if my DET certificate expires before I apply?
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