Language testing—Skilled immigrants (Express Entry)
You must prove your language skills by taking a language test approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
You must:
- schedule your test with an agency approved by IRCC and pay the costs, and
- include the results of your test when you apply. If you do not, we will send your application back to you without processing it.
Do not ask for your language test results to be sent directly to us. Submit your test information with your application. Keep your original test in a safe place as we may ask for it later.
What happens next
- You can use the charts below to see what Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) [in French: Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC)] level you have based on your test results.
- We will use the test results as proof of your language skills.
Note: Your test results must be valid (less than two years old) when you complete your Express Entry profile, and when you apply for permanent residence.
The profile is valid for 12 months. You should make sure that your language test results are valid for at least the same number of days.
If your test results expire soon, you should re-take the test and update your Express Entry profile with your new test results.
Language tests we accept
You can take any of these approved language tests:
English
CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
CELPIP has two different tests. You must take the “CELPIP-General” test to support your immigration application. We do not accept the “General-LS” test for Express Entry.
IELTS: International English Language Testing System
IELTS has two options for the reading and writing tests: “General Training” and “Academic.” You must take the “General Training” option.
French
TEF: Test d’évaluation de français (available in French only)
You must submit results from these TEF tests as proof of your French language skills:
- compréhension de l’écrit
- compréhension de l’orale
- expression écrite
- expression orale
Averaging your language score – for people with a physical or mental disability
If you are not able to complete one or more sections of your language test because of a disability, you must input averaged scores based on the ones you completed. Averaged scores, including IELTS, must be determined through this Calculator Tool. Your scores for the sections you did complete must be input and cannot be changed.
Use the Comprehensive Ranking System – Language calculator tool to find out what is your score for the one or more abilities you were unable to complete.
Note: Comprehensive Ranking System – Language calculator is not the same as the Comprehensive Ranking System tool.
Choose a Program:
Federal Skilled Worker Program
CELPIP
| CLB Level | Ability: Speaking | Ability: Listening | Ability: Reading | Ability: Writing | Points per ability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 CELPIP-G |
7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 |
| 8 CELPIP-G |
8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
| 9 CELPIP-G |
9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 6 |
| 10 and above CELPIP-G |
10+ | 10+ | 10+ | 10+ | 6 |
| CLB Level | Ability: Speaking | Ability: Listening | Ability: Reading | Ability: Writing | Points (total) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 and above | 5 – 12 | 5 – 12 | 5 – 12 | 5 – 12 | 4 |
IELTS
| CLB Level | Ability: Speaking | Ability: Listening | Ability: Reading | Ability: Writing | Points per ability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 – 7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 4 |
| 8 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 5 |
| 9 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6 |
| 10 and above | 7.5 – 9.0 | 8.5 – 9.0 | 8.0 – 9.0 | 7.5 – 9.0 | 6 |
| CLB Level | Ability: Speaking | Ability: Listening | Ability: Reading | Ability: Writing | Points (total) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 and above | 5.0 – 9.0 |
5.0 – 9.0 |
4.0 – 9.0 |
5.0 – 9.0 |
4 |
TEF
| NCLC Level | Ability: Speaking (expression orale) | Ability: Listening (compréhension de l’orale) | Ability: Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Ability: Writing (expression écrite) | Points (per ability) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 310 – 348 | 249 – 279 | 207 – 232 | 310 – 348 | 4 |
| 8 | 349 – 370 | 280 – 297 | 233 – 247 | 349 – 370 | 5 |
| 9 and above | 371+ | 298+ | 248+ | 371+ | 6 |
| NCLC Level | Ability: Speaking (expression orale) | Ability: Listening (compréhension de l’orale) | Ability: Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Ability: Writing (expression écrite) | Points (per ability) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 and above | 226 – 371+ | 181 – 298+ | 151 – 248+ | 226 – 371+ | 4 |
Add your points:
- First official language:
- Speaking + Listening + Reading + Writing = your subtotal
- Second official language:
- Add four points to your subtotal if you meet the minimum level in all four abilities. If you do not, you get 0 points for your second official language.
- Add (1) and (2) together for your total points.
Federal Skilled Trades Program
| CLB Level | Test results for each ability | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | |
| 9 and above CELPIP-G |
9+ |
9+ |
9+ |
9+ |
| 8 CELPIP-G |
8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 7 CELPIP-G |
7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| 6 CELPIP-G |
6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 5 CELPIP-G |
5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 4 CELPIP-G |
4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| CLB Level | Test results for each ability | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
| 10 and above | 8.5 – 9.0 | 8.0 – 9.0 | 7.5 – 9.0 | 7.5 – 9.0 |
| 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| NCLC Level | Test results for each ability | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking (expression orale) |
Listening (compréhension de l'orale) |
Reading (compréhension de l'écrit) |
Writing (expression écrite) |
|
| 9 and above | 371+ | 298+ | 248+ | 371+ |
| 8 | 349 - 370 | 280 - 297 | 233 - 247 | 349 - 370 |
| 7 | 310 – 348 | 249 – 279 | 207 – 232 | 310 – 348 |
| 6 | 271 – 309 | 217 – 248 | 181 – 206 | 271 – 309 |
| 5 | 226 – 270 | 181 – 216 | 151 – 180 | 226 – 270 |
| 4 | 181 – 225 | 145 – 180 | 121 – 150 | 181 – 225 |
Canadian Experience Class
| NOC | CLB Level | Test results for each ability | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | ||
| 0,A | 9 and above CELPIP-G |
9+ | 9+ | 9+ | 9+ |
| 0, A | 8 CELPIP-G |
8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 0, A | 7 CELPIP-G |
7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| B | 6 CELPIP-G |
6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| B | 5 CELPIP-G |
5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| NOC | CLB Level | Test results for each ability | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | ||
| 0, A | 10 and above | 8.5-9.0 | 8.0-9.0 | 7.5-9.0 | 7.5-9.0 |
| 0, A | 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| 0, A | 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 0, A | 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| B | 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| B | 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| NOC | NCLC Level | Test results for each ability | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking (expression orale) |
Listening (compréhension de l'orale) |
Reading (compréhension de l'écrit) |
Writing (expression écrite) |
||
| 0, A | 9 and above | 371+ | 298+ | 248+ | 371+ |
| 0, A | 8 | 349-370 | 280-297 | 233-247 | 349-370 |
| 0, A | 7 | 310 – 348 | 249 – 279 | 207 – 232 | 310 – 348 |
| B | 6 | 271 – 309 | 217 – 248 | 181 – 206 | 271 – 309 |
| B | 5 | 226 – 270 | 181 – 216 | 151 – 180 | 226 – 270 |
Note: Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) centres are not approved testing agencies for people who apply under the Canadian Experience Class.