FSOT Test Dates 2026 and 2027
Next FSOT window: January 30–February 6, 2027 (Official). Registration opens December 31, 2026 and closes January 28, 2027. Pearson's FSOT page prints this date as January 28, 2026, an evident typo for 2027.
The complete 2026 calendar plus the first published 2027 window, with each window marked by the strength of its source. Pearson lists only upcoming windows and removes past ones, so its page does not show the full year.
The deadline comes before the window
The FSOT runs in three to four windows a year. Registration generally lasts roughly five weeks.
Registration closes 2–3 days before testing opens.
FSOT dates 2026
- February/March 2026
- Testing
- Feb 28–Mar 7, 2026
- Registration opens
- Not published
- Registration closes
- February 26, 2026
- Confidence
- Corroborated
- May 2026
- Testing
- May 16–23, 2026
- Registration opens
- Not published
- Registration closes
- Not published
- Confidence
- Candidate-reported only
- Eight independent candidate accounts place this window between May 16 and May 23.
- July 2026
- Testing
- Jul 11–18, 2026
- Registration opens
- May 25, 2026
- Registration closes
- July 9, 2026
- Confidence
- Official
- October 2026
- Testing
- Oct 10–31, 2026
- Registration opens
- September 10, 2026
- Registration closes
- October 30, 2026
- Confidence
- Official
- Revised. Pearson now posts this window as October 10–31 with registration closing October 30; it was previously posted as October 10–17 with registration closing October 8. Read from Pearson's FSOT page on September 28, 2026.
FSOT dates 2027
- February 2027
- Testing
- Jan 30–Feb 6, 2027
- Registration opens
- December 31, 2026
- Registration closes
- January 28, 2027
- Confidence
- Official
- Pearson's page prints the registration close date as 'January 28, 2026', which is a typo for 2027: it is two days before the window opens, matching the February/March, July and originally posted October windows.
Is the FSOT quarterly?
The State Department careers site describes the FSOT as quarterly in 2026. Pearson's FAQ still says it is offered three times each year in February, June and October, even though Pearson posted a July window and no June window. Four 2026 windows are supported by the posted dates and candidate accounts; the May window remains candidate-reported only. Pearson's FSOT page remains the authoritative source for upcoming schedules.
Pearson has posted one 2027 window so far (January 30 to February 6, 2027). We do not estimate later windows.
Check Pearson for upcoming schedulesScores and the advancement decision run on different clocks
Pearson says results can take up to 2–3 days to post to your Pearson VUE account — though candidates who sat the current exam report that what posts contains no score. Separately, they report that the pass-or-fail decision arrives roughly 6–8 weeks after the testing window closes—not from your own sitting date.
An older State page said decisions would arrive no later than three weeks after the window closed. That timing is historical and does not describe current candidate reports.
The retake clock starts when you sit
Pearson’s FAQ says the 12-month wait applies to candidates who sat any portion of the test. Under that FAQ, candidates who cancelled or missed an appointment may apply again in the next window. Current Pearson pages are silent on that trigger, so this is attributed to the FAQ rather than stated as a new policy.
Register before the deadline
Check the fee, ID, location, and at-home testing rules before booking.
How to register for the FSOTWhen is the next FSOT test window?
Next FSOT window: January 30–February 6, 2027 (Official). Registration opens December 31, 2026 and closes January 28, 2027. Pearson's FSOT page prints this date as January 28, 2026, an evident typo for 2027. Last checked September 28, 2026.
When are the FSOT test dates in 2026?
The complete 2026 calendar listed here has four windows. July and October are official, February/March is corroborated, and May is candidate-reported only. Last checked September 28, 2026.
When does FSOT registration close?
Registration usually runs for roughly five weeks and closes 2–3 days before testing opens. Use the published deadline for your specific window.
Have 2027 FSOT dates been published?
Yes. Pearson has posted one 2027 window: January 30 to February 6, 2027, with registration open December 31, 2026 through January 28, 2027. No later 2027 windows have been published.
When do FSOT results arrive?
Pearson says results can take up to 2–3 days to post to your Pearson VUE account, though candidates who sat the current exam report that what posts contains no score. They also report that the pass-or-fail decision arrives roughly 6–8 weeks after the testing window closes, not after the individual appointment.