- The Trump administration is proposing new citizenship education standards and third-party administration of naturalization tests.
- The updated 2025 civics test increases the question pool and requires twelve correct answers to pass.
- Expanded reviews now include neighborhood investigations and social media screening to ensure full assimilation and moral character.
The Trump administration is preparing new citizenship education standards and considering whether outside organizations could administer the naturalization test, according to a Department of Homeland Security regulatory agenda published August 4, 2026.
DHS said the proposed rule would create “a framework and a standard” for citizenship education requirements and would further enhance the integrity of the naturalization test. USCIS is separately exploring third-party test administration, saying the change could provide “additional flexibility in how the exams are conducted.”
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The plans build on a test that already became harder. Applicants who filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025, must take the revised 2025 naturalization civics test.
The new exam expanded the question bank from 100 to 128 questions. Officers ask 20 questions during the interview, and applicants must answer 12 correctly to pass, compared with 10 questions and six correct answers under the earlier test.
The changes reach beyond the interview room. USCIS has also expanded its review of good moral character, resumed neighborhood investigations and described a broader effort to assess whether applicants demonstrate assimilation and allegiance to the United States.
The proposed education standards would add a new layer before testing
The DHS agenda places formal education standards alongside the possible use of third-party exam administrators. The agency’s stated goal is to create a consistent framework for applicants who must meet citizenship education requirements.
The proposal remains under consideration. Its education framework and arrangements for outside testing would be addressed through the rulemaking process.
A third-party system would change who conducts the test. USCIS says outside administration could give the agency more flexibility in how exams are held, while the proposed education framework would establish the standard applicants must meet.
The policy direction has been reflected in statements from USCIS officials. Matthew Tragesser, a USCIS spokesperson, said on September 17, 2025, that the government would reserve citizenship for applicants who embrace American values and principles.
“American citizenship is the most sacred citizenship in the world and should only be reserved for aliens who will fully embrace our values and principles as a nation. By ensuring only those aliens who meet all eligibility requirements. are able to naturalize, the American people can be assured that those joining us as fellow citizens are fully assimilated and will contribute to America’s greatness. These critical changes are the first of many.”
Applicants now face 20 questions and a 12-answer passing mark
The revised exam applies according to the date the applicant filed Form N-400, rather than simply the date of the naturalization interview. Its core requirements are:
| Test feature | Earlier version | 2025 naturalization civics test |
|---|---|---|
| Question bank | 100 questions | 128 questions |
| Questions asked during the interview | 10 | 20 |
| Correct answers required | 6 | 12, or 60% |
Applicants who are 65 or older and have held permanent-resident status for at least 20 years remain eligible for the “65/20” exemption. They can take a simplified 10-question version of the test.
The revised test also uses more nuanced, open-ended questions about American history and philosophy. That structure requires applicants to prepare for a larger pool and answer more questions correctly during the interview.
USCIS provides information about the revised exam through its 2025 naturalization civics test page.
Good-moral-character reviews now include contributions and community checks
A policy memorandum issued August 15, 2025, expanded how officers assess good moral character. The review now considers an applicant’s “positive contributions to American society,” rather than focusing only on the absence of criminal behavior.
USCIS has also resumed neighborhood investigations. Officers use them to verify an applicant’s residency and statutory eligibility, adding community-based checks to the naturalization review.
The agency has described other forms of scrutiny as part of the same direction. Tragesser said April 13, 2026, that USCIS would not take shortcuts in adjudications, citing strengthened English-language requirements, screening social media for anti-American activities and the restoration of neighborhood investigations.
“USCIS will not take shortcuts in the adjudications process. [This includes] strengthened English language requirements, screening social media for anti-American activities, and restoring neighborhood investigations to ensure applicants demonstrate good moral character.”
Zach Kahler, a USCIS spokesperson, said July 16, 2026, that the agency was committed to protecting Americans’ safety, security and financial well-being.
“USCIS is committed to safeguarding the safety, security, and financial well-being of Americans.”
Applicants may therefore encounter a review that examines more than test preparation. Questions may cover social-media activity and an applicant’s assimilation into American values.
DOJ is also increasing denaturalization referrals
The Department of Justice announced July 22, 2026, that it was pursuing the highest volume of denaturalization referrals in history. The department is prioritizing cases involving fraud or criminal activity discovered after naturalization.
That effort concerns people who already became citizens, while the proposed education standards and testing changes concern people seeking naturalization. Together, the measures place citizenship eligibility, conduct and continuing scrutiny within the administration’s broader citizenship standards initiative.
More thorough vetting and neighborhood visits have reportedly increased Form N-400 processing times in several jurisdictions. Processing times can vary by jurisdiction and case circumstances.
Applicants should use the USCIS newsroom and USCIS Policy Manual for current instructions before preparing or attending an interview. Processing times and fees are subject to change, so applicants should verify the latest information at uscis.gov.
