formation@centrezenith.com

50 Rue de Pontoise, 95870 Bezons

Level Test

New CPF Rules for 2026 — Must-Know Changes

New CPF Rules for 2026 — Must-Know Changes

Loi n° 2026-534 du 25 juin 2026 — France's new law on the fight against social and tax fraud — introduces two significant changes for anyone using their Compte Personnel de Formation (CPF) to fund a certifying course. At Centre Zenith, CPF funding typically applies to our DCL (Diplôme de Compétence en Langue) course. If you're studying French with us and financing your DCL preparation through CPF, here's what you need to know.

What has changed

1. Attendance at the certifying exam is now mandatory

Until now, CPF-funded students were encouraged to sit their final exam but weren't legally penalised for missing it. From now on, students who don't show up at the certifying exam without a legitimate reason will have to reimburse the training to the Caisse des Dépôts, the body that administers CPF funds.

The list of valid excuses (illness, force majeure, etc.) will be defined by a forthcoming decree. Until that decree is published, the exact enforcement conditions are still being fine-tuned — but the principle is clear: enrol in the exam, and turn up.

2. You cannot use CPF to fund a certification you already hold

Effective 27 June 2026, CPF can no longer be used to fund a certification identical to one you already possess. If you have already passed a specific certification, you will need to select a different one — or fund it yourself.

Good news for language learners: the exception

The law includes a specific carve-out for language certifications. Because language skills naturally evolve — students often want to certify at a higher level after further study, or refresh their credentials after a period of inactivity — the ban on funding a certification you already hold does not apply to language certifications. Students can re-take a language certification funded by CPF even if they already hold one.

What this means for our language students

Our practical advice:

  • If you're enrolling in our DCL preparation course with CPF funding, plan on being present at the DCL session that follows your course. Our team registers you and reminds you of the date — treat it as an integral part of the training.
  • Keep evidence of any legitimate absence (medical certificate, official document). You will need it if you can't attend the exam.
  • If you already hold a DCL and want to certify at a higher level, or refresh your credential, CPF funding remains available to you thanks to the language exception.
  • CPF funding has important limits to keep in mind: each CPF-funded action is capped at 1 500 €; retaking a level or repeating a certification is allowed under the language exception, but a new 150 € participation fee applies each time.

A quick note for our DELF and DALF learners: DELF and DALF are not currently CPF-eligible certifications, and DELF/DALF diplomas are valid for life. The attendance and reimbursement rules described here therefore do not apply to those courses.

We will continue to keep you informed as the implementation decree is published in the coming months. Follow our Facebook page to stay updated: https://www.facebook.com/centrezenith

Official sources