Finnish or Swedish for a public-sector job: the state language exams (VKT) have ended, and these YKI grades replace them
Many public-sector jobs in Finland ask for satisfactory, good or excellent Finnish or Swedish (tyydyttävä, hyvä, erinomainen). For decades the way to prove it was the state language exams, the valtionhallinnon kielitutkinnot (VKT). They are being closed down.
Below is from the Finnish National Agency for Education (Opetushallitus, OPH) announcement of 22 January 2026, read on 7 November 2026.
What changed
The closure is set in Finland's new language-skills act, in force since the start of 2026. OPH says:
New VKT exams could be taken until 30 June 2026. Since 1 July 2026 you can only retake a part you previously failed, and that retake must be done by 31 December 2028, when the exams end for good.
VKT certificates you already hold stay valid and still prove the language skill a public-sector job asks for.
If you have no VKT certificate, you now prove Finnish or Swedish for a public-sector job with the general language exam, YKI (yleiset kielitutkinnot).
Which YKI grade proves which level
OPH gives the conversion:
- Satisfactory (tyydyttävä)Intermediate YKI, grade 3
- Good (hyvä)Intermediate YKI grade 4, or advanced YKI grade 5
- Excellent (erinomainen)Advanced YKI, grade 6
Oral, written or comprehension skill
A job can ask for oral, written or comprehension skill. YKI has four parts, and OPH says which pair proves which:
Oral skill: listening and speaking. Written skill: reading and writing. Comprehension: reading and listening.
Our reading: this is the same YKI test that Finnish citizenship uses, where grade 3 in two parts is enough (see the YKI guide). For a job, look at the advert or ask the employer which level and which skill they need, then aim at the matching pair of parts.
Mistakes worth avoiding
Looking for a VKT exam date in 2027.
Registering for a YKI test at the level the job asks for.
New VKT exams ended on 30 June 2026; only retakes of failed parts remain, until 31 December 2028.
Re-sitting a language test because your old VKT certificate seems outdated.
Showing the VKT certificate you already have.
OPH says earlier VKT results stay valid for public-sector jobs.
Sitting the intermediate YKI when the job asks for excellent Finnish.
Sitting the advanced YKI and aiming for grade 6.
Only advanced YKI grade 6 proves excellent skill.
Questions
Can I still take the Finnish state language exam (VKT)?
Not as a new candidate. New VKT exams ended on 30 June 2026. You can only retake a part you failed, until 31 December 2028.
Which YKI grade shows satisfactory Finnish for a public job?
Grade 3 on the intermediate YKI test.
Which YKI grade shows good Finnish or Swedish?
Grade 4 on the intermediate test, or grade 5 on the advanced test.
Is my old VKT certificate still valid?
Yes. OPH says earlier VKT results stay valid and can still prove the language skill a public-sector job requires.
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