TOEFL and GRE testing ends in Iran as US suspends education license

The US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control suspended General License G on 24 August — the 2014 authorization that had allowed US educational providers to administer standardized tests in Iran despite sanctions. ETS, which runs the TOEFL and GRE, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda in a written statement that it has "paused administration of the TOEFL and GRE tests in Iran effective immediately." A wind-down period for existing activities runs through 8 September; after that, any such service requires a specific OFAC authorization.

The practical effect was abrupt: TOEFL appointment calendars in Iran, previously bookable months out, narrowed within a day to two test centres near Tehran with slots through 5 September, then closed. The suspension removes the last of the widely used English tests inside the country — Duolingo said days earlier that its English Test is unavailable in Iran and to users holding Iranian identification documents, and IELTS has been effectively unavailable there since January. Among tests accepted by dental regulators, OET remains available in Tehran at test centres (its at-home version is not accepted by Ahpra). PTE Academic operates only outside Iran, and under Pearson VUE's 3 September notice it is closed to residents of Iran from 8 September unless they can prove primary residency outside the country; an ETS spokesperson has likewise said ETS cannot process registrations or payments associated with a resident of Iran, including for appointments outside the country. RFE/RL reports candidates are turning to centres in countries such as Turkey and Armenia.

TOEFL iBT sits on Ahpra's accepted-test list for Australia, is used in US advanced-standing applications, and is accepted for the UK's LDS examinations under RCS England's current requirements. OFAC says providers wishing to continue activities previously covered by the suspended licenses may apply for specific authorization; neither ETS nor OFAC has announced a timeline.