How the Home Edition works
ETS calls the Home Edition the same TOEFL iBT test you would take at a test centre, taken from home and monitored online by a human proctor. It is available worldwide, 24 hours a day, 4 days a week, and you must register at least 24 hours before your appointment (ETS). In mainland China it is booked separately on toefl.cn.
ETS's fee page shows one TOEFL iBT fee per testing location with no separate Home Edition price (ETS); see the TOEFL fee 2026. On test day you can begin check-in up to 15 minutes before your time and up to 30 minutes after it; if you have not checked in by then, the test is cancelled and the fee is not refunded (bulletin).
Equipment and room requirements
If you don't meet these requirements on test day you cannot test, and you get no refund or free reschedule (ETS). Run ETS's equipment check in the TOEFL Test App first, ideally at the same day and time as your test.
| Item | ETS requirement |
|---|---|
| Computer | Desktop or laptop only, no tablet or phone; one screen and one keyboard |
| Operating system | Licensed Windows 11 or higher, or Mac OS X 10.13 or higher |
| Audio | Internal or external speaker and microphone; no headsets or earphones |
| Camera | Built-in or separate webcam you can move to show the proctor the whole room |
| Second camera (if applicable) | A charged phone or tablet on iOS 12+ or Android 8+, with a stand |
| Room | Alone, doors closed, transparent walls or large windows covered, not a public place |
| Desk and seat | Table with nothing unapproved on it, standard chair, door visible to the proctor |
| Notes | A small whiteboard or one sheet in a transparent sheet protector, erasable marker only |
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Rules during the test
Stay visible on camera with your hands visible, stay seated, and do not talk except in the Speaking section; no breaks are allowed and no one may enter the room. You may keep a wedding ring and religious headwear that leaves your ears visible, but must remove other jewellery and watches (ETS). Face masks are not allowed, and screen-sharing or remote-access software must be disabled (ETS). The whole session is recorded and your photo is taken (bulletin).
Who accepts the TOEFL Home Edition
Each row was read on the organisation's own page on 14 October 2026. Universities change their policies, so check your programme too.
| Organisation | Home Edition accepted? |
|---|---|
| Australia, Home Affairs (all visas) | No (Home Affairs) |
| Immigration New Zealand | No, at-home tests are not acceptable (INZ) |
| US VisaScreen for nurses (TruMerit) | No (TruMerit) |
| Ireland, study visas | Yes, named in the table (irishimmigration.ie) |
| Harvard Griffin GSAS, UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC graduate | Yes (Harvard) (Berkeley) (UCLA) (USC) |
| Arizona State University graduate | Yes, for tests taken on or after 21 January 2026 (ASU) |
| Yale GSAS | Only the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition, if no other option is available (Yale) |
| Imperial, King's College London, Toronto, UBC, Trinity College Dublin | Yes (Imperial) (KCL) (U of T) (UBC) (TCD) |
Frequently asked questions
Is the TOEFL Home Edition cheaper?+
No separate price is published. ETS's fee page lists one TOEFL iBT fee per location, which covers both the test centre and the Home Edition.
Can I use TOEFL Home Edition for an Australian visa?+
No. Home Affairs names TOEFL iBT Home Edition among the online tests it does not accept.
Can I take TOEFL Home Edition on a tablet?+
No. ETS requires a desktop or laptop with one screen. A phone or tablet is used only as a second camera, if that applies to you.
Can I use headphones in the TOEFL Home Edition?+
No. Headsets and earphones are not allowed; you must use a speaker and a microphone that is not part of a headset.
What happens if I am late for the Home Edition?+
You have up to 30 minutes after your scheduled time to start check-in. After that the test is cancelled and the fee is not refunded.
Keep reading
Related
- TOEFL fee 2026
- TOEFL exam pattern 2026
- TOEFL for Australian visas
- TOEFL score validity
- IELTS vs TOEFL for the USA
- All 1712 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 14 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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