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Take a language test

You must prove your language skills by taking an approved language test.

To do this, you must:

If you can't complete your language test because of a disability

If you have a disability and you aren’t able to complete one or more sections of your language test:

  • You must get your averaged scores through our language averaging tool for the abilities you weren’t able to complete (if the language organization didn’t give you averaged scores directly).
  • Use these averaged scores in your profile in the Express Entry profile builder.
  • We’ll verify both the averaged scores and the language test results you submit.

Language tests we accept

You can take any of these approved language tests:

English French
CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
  • You must take the CELPIP-General test.
 TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français
IELTS: International English Language Testing System
  • You must take the IELTS General Training option.
  • We don’t accept IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry.
 TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français

PTE Core: Pearson Test of English

  • You must take the PTE Core option.

Language requirements

To measure your English or French levels, we use:

Canadian Experience Class

The skills you need will depend on the group your job is classified in under the National Occupational Classification system (NOC).

Minimum level for all 4 abilities

NOC TEER English French
TEER 0 or 1 CLB 7 NCLC 7
TEER 2 or 3 CLB 5 NCLC 5

Federal Skilled Worker Program

First official language

Language Minimum level for all 4 abilities
English CLB 7
French NCLC7

Second official language

Minimum level of CLB or NCLC 5.

Federal Skilled Trades Program
Language Abilities Minimum level
English Speaking and listening CLB 5
English Reading and writing CLB 4
French Speaking and listening NCLC 5
French Reading and writing NCLC 4

How long your results are valid for

Your test results must be less than 2 years old when you:

If you’ve been invited to apply

Check that your language test results will still be valid when you plan to apply.

If you haven’t been invited to apply

You may want to make sure your results are valid for the rest of the time you’ll be in the pool.

If your results will expire before you can apply, you should:

  • be tested again, or
  • apply before your test results expire, or
  • decline the invitation and go back into the pool to be considered in the future

If you apply for permanent residence with language test results that have expired, we’ll refuse your application.

Check your language level

You can use your test results to find your CLB level.

Federal Skilled Worker Program

CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program

First official language (maximum 24 points)

Test results for each ability
CLB Level Speaking Listening Reading 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

Second official language (4 points if you meet the minimum threshold in each of the 4 language abilities)

Test results for each ability
CLB Level Speaking Listening Reading Writing Points (total)
5 and above 5-12 5-12 5-12 5-12 4

How to calculate your points

  1. First official language:
    • Speaking + Listening + Reading + Writing = your subtotal
  2. Second official language:
    • Add 4 points to your subtotal if you meet the minimum level in all 4 abilities. If you do not, you get 0 points for your second official language.
  3. Add (1) and (2) together for your total points.

Federal Skilled Worker Program

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

First official language (maximum 24 points)

Test results for each ability
CLB Level Speaking Listening Reading Writing Points per ability
7 6.0 6.0 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

Second official language (4 points if you meet the minimum threshold in each of the 4 language abilities)

Test results for each ability
CLB Level Speaking Listening Reading Writing Points (total)
5 and above 5.0-9.0 5.0-9.0 4.0-9.0 5.0-9.0 4

How to calculate your points

  1. First official language:
    • Speaking + Listening + Reading + Writing = your subtotal
  2. Second official language:
    • Add 4 points to your subtotal if you meet the minimum level in all 4 abilities. If you do not, you get 0 points for your second official language.
  3. Add (1) and (2) together for your total points.

Federal Skilled Worker Program

PTE Core: Pearson Test of English

First official language (maximum 24 points)

Test results for each ability
CLB Level Speaking Listening Reading Writing Points per ability
7 68-75 60-70 60-68 69-78 4
8 76-83 71-81 69-77 79-87 5
9 84-88 82-88 78-87 88-89 6
10 and above 89+ 89+ 88+ 90+ 6

Second official language (4 points if you meet the minimum threshold in each of the 4 language abilities)

Test results for each ability
CLB Level Speaking Listening Reading Writing Points (total)
5 and above 51-90 39-90 42-90 51-90 4

Federal Skilled Worker Program

TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français

Your language level will be based on the “Équivalence ancien score” (previous score equivalency).

  • Only enter the scores for each language ability from that column.
  • If you don’t enter the correct scores, we may refuse your application.
  • Your attestation de résultats (statement of results) will also include test results in the column marked “Score / 699.” Don’t enter these results in your Express Entry profile. They aren’t compatible with our system at this time.
If you took a test from TEF Canada between December 11, 2023 and May 6, 2024

If you took a French language test between December 11, 2023 and May 6, 2024 from TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français, you may need to take action in your Express Entry profile.

CCI Paris Ile-de-France administers the TEF Canada language test for immigration to Canada. As part of ongoing improvements to the way French language is evaluated, CCI temporarily modified the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) to reflect raw scores.

This change has been reverted back to the Express Entry scoring grid we currently use.

Test results for each ability
NCLC Level Speaking (expression orale) Listening (compréhension de l’oral) Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) Writing (expression écrite)
10 393-450 316-360 263-300 393-450
9 371-392 298-315 248-262 371-392
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

If you were impacted by this scoring change, you’ll have received an email message from the CCI, notifying you of this change, and your updated score.

  • You’ll need to update your Express Entry profile with this new scoring information.
  • If you don’t, and you’re invited to apply, it could cause your application to be refused based on incorrect language scores.

If you’ve been invited to apply but have not yet submitted your application, please update your scores. If you find that you no longer meet the criteria, you should decline your invitation for that round.

If you’ve already applied for permanent residence, we may contact you to provide your updated test scores.

First official language (maximum 24 points)

Test results for each ability
NCLC Level Speaking (expression orale) Listening (compréhension de l’oral) Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) 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

Second official language (4 points if you meet the minimum threshold in each of the 4 language abilities)

Test results for each ability
NCLC Level Speaking (expression orale) Listening (compréhension de l’oral) Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) Writing (expression écrite) Points (total)
5 and above 226-371+ 181-298+ 151-248+ 226-371+ 4

The testing organization will issue you a copy of TEF Canada electronic test results. The results will include:

  • your score
  • the NCLC equivalence level you achieved for each test component

How to calculate your points

  1. First official language:
    • Speaking + Listening + Reading + Writing = your subtotal
  2. Second official language:
    • Add 4 points to your subtotal if you meet the minimum level in all 4 abilities. If you do not, you get 0 points for your second official language.
  3. Add (1) and (2) together for your total points.

Federal Skilled Worker Program

TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français

First official language (maximum 24 points)

Test results for each ability
NCLC Level Speaking (expression orale) Listening (compréhension de l’oral) Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) Writing (expression écrite) Points (per ability)
7 10-11 458-502 453-498 10-11 4
8 12-13 503-522 499-523 12-13 5
9 and above 14+ 523+ 524+ 14+ 6

Second official language (4 points if you meet the minimum threshold in each of the 4 language abilities)

Test results for each ability
NCLC Level Speaking (expression orale) Listening (compréhension de l’oral) Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) Writing (expression écrite) Points (total)
5 and above 6+ 369-397+ 375-405+ 6+ 4

How to calculate your points

  1. First official language:
    • Speaking + Listening + Reading + Writing = your subtotal
  2. Second official language:
    • Add 4 points to your subtotal if you meet the minimum level in all 4 abilities. If you do not, you get 0 points for your second official language.
  3. Add (1) and (2) together for your total points.

Federal Skilled Trades Program

CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program

Test results for each ability
CLB Level Speaking Listening Reading Writing
9 and above 9+ 9+ 9+ 9+
8 8 8 8 8
7 7 7 7 7
6 6 6 6 6
5 5 5 5 5
4 4 4 4 4

Federal Skilled Trades Program

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Test results for each ability
CLB Level Speaking Listening Reading Writing
10 and above 7.5-9.0 8.5-9.0 8.0-9.0 7.5-9.0
9 7.0 8.0 7.0 7.0
8 6.5 7.5 6.5 6.5
7 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
6 5.5 5.5 5.0 5.5
5 5.0 5.0 4.0 5.0
4 4.0 4.5 3.5 4.0

Federal Skilled Trades Program

PTE Core: Pearson Test of English

Test results for each ability
CLB Level Speaking Listening Reading Writing
10 and above 89+ 89+ 88+ 90+
9 84-88 82-88 78-87 88-89
8 76-83 71-81 69-77 79-87
7 68-75 60-70 60-68 69-78
6 59-67 50-59 51-59 60-68
5 51-58 39-49 42-50 51-59
4 42-50 28-38 33-41 41-50

Federal Skilled Trades Program

TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français

Your language level will be based on the “Équivalence ancien score” (previous score equivalency).

  • Only enter the scores for each language ability from that column.
  • If you don’t enter the correct scores, we may refuse your application.
  • Your attestation de résultats (statement of results) will also include test results in the column marked “Score / 699.” Don’t enter these results in your Express Entry profile. They aren’t compatible with our system at this time.
If you took a test from TEF Canada between December 11, 2023 and May 6, 2024

If you took a French language test between December 11, 2023 and May 6, 2024 from TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français, you may need to take action in your Express Entry profile.

CCI Paris Ile-de-France administers the TEF Canada language test for immigration to Canada. As part of ongoing improvements to the way French language is evaluated, CCI temporarily modified the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) to reflect raw scores.

This change has been reverted back to the Express Entry scoring grid we currently use.

Test results for each ability
NCLC Level Speaking (expression orale) Listening (compréhension de l’oral) Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) Writing (expression écrite)
10 393-450 316-360 263-300 393-450
9 371-392 298-315 248-262 371-392
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

If you were impacted by this scoring change, you’ll have received an email message from the CCI, notifying you of this change, and your updated score.

  • You’ll need to update your Express Entry profile with this new scoring information.
  • If you don’t, and you’re invited to apply, it could cause your application to be refused based on incorrect language scores.

If you’ve been invited to apply but have not yet submitted your application, please update your scores. If you find that you no longer meet the criteria, you should decline your invitation for that round.

If you’ve already applied for permanent residence, we may contact you to provide your updated test scores.

Test results for each ability
NCLC Level Speaking (expression orale) Listening (compréhension de l’oral) 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

The testing organization will issue you a copy of TEF Canada electronic test results. The results will include:

  • your score
  • the NCLC equivalence level you achieved for each test component

Federal Skilled Trades Program

TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français

Test results for each ability
NCLC Level Speaking (expression orale) Listening (compréhension de l’oral) Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) Writing (expression écrite)
10 and above 16-20 549-699 549-699 16-20
9 14-15 523-548 524-548 14-15
8 12-13 503-522 499-523 12-13
7 10-11 458-502 453-498 10-11
6 7-9 398-457 406-452 7-9
5 6 369-397 375-405 6
4 4-5 331-368 342-374 4-5

Canadian Experience Class

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) centres are not approved testing agencies for people who apply under the Canadian Experience Class.

CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program

Test results for each ability
NOC TEER CLB Level Speaking Listening Reading Writing
0 and 1 9 and above 9+ 9+ 9+ 9+
0 and 1 8 8 8 8 8
0 and 1 7 7 7 7 7
2 and 3 6 6 6 6 6
2 and 3 5 5 5 5 5

Canadian Experience Class

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) centres are not approved testing agencies for people who apply under the Canadian Experience Class.

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Test results for each ability
NOC TEER CLB Level Speaking Listening Reading Writing
0 and 1 10 and above 7.5-9.0 8.5-9.0 8.0-9.0 7.5-9.0
0 and 1 9 7.0 8.0 7.0 7.0
0 and 1 8 6.5 7.5 6.5 6.5
0 and 1 7 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
2 and 3 6 5.5 5.5 5.0 5.5
2 and 3 5 5.0 5.0 4.0 5.0

Canadian Experience Class

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) centres are not approved testing agencies for people who apply under the Canadian Experience Class.

PTE Core: Pearson Test of English

Test results for each ability
NOC TEER CLB Level Speaking Listening Reading Writing
0 and 1 10 and above 89+ 89+ 88+ 90+
0 and 1 9 84-88 82-88 78-87 88-89
0 and 1 8 76-83 71-81 69-77 79-87
0 and 1 7 68-75 60-70 60-68 69-78
2 and 3 6 59-67 50-59 51-59 60-68
2 and 3 5 51-58 39-49 42-50 51-59

Canadian Experience Class

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) centres are not approved testing agencies for people who apply under the Canadian Experience Class.

TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français

Your language level will be based on the “Équivalence ancien score” (previous score equivalency).

  • Only enter the scores for each language ability from that column.
  • If you don’t enter the correct scores, we may refuse your application.
  • Your attestation de résultats (statement of results) will also include test results in the column marked “Score / 699.” Don’t enter these results in your Express Entry profile. They aren’t compatible with our system at this time.
If you took a test from TEF Canada between December 11, 2023 and May 6, 2024

If you took a French language test between December 11, 2023 and May 6, 2024 from TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français, you may need to take action in your Express Entry profile.

CCI Paris Ile-de-France administers the TEF Canada language test for immigration to Canada. As part of ongoing improvements to the way French language is evaluated, CCI temporarily modified the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) to reflect raw scores.

This change has been reverted back to the Express Entry scoring grid we currently use.

Test results for each ability
NCLC Level Speaking (expression orale) Listening (compréhension de l’oral) Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) Writing (expression écrite)
10 393-450 316-360 263-300 393-450
9 371-392 298-315 248-262 371-392
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

If you were impacted by this scoring change, you’ll have received an email message from the CCI, notifying you of this change, and your updated score.

  • You’ll need to update your Express Entry profile with this new scoring information.
  • If you don’t, and you’re invited to apply, it could cause your application to be refused based on incorrect language scores.

If you’ve been invited to apply but have not yet submitted your application, please update your scores. If you find that you no longer meet the criteria, you should decline your invitation for that round.

If you’ve already applied for permanent residence, we may contact you to provide your updated test scores.

Test results for each ability
NOC TEER NCLC Level Speaking (expression orale) Listening (compréhension de l’oral) Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) Writing (expression écrite)
0 and 1 9 and above 371+ 298+ 248+ 371+
0 and 1 8 349-370 280-297 233-247 349-370
0 and 1 7 310-348 249-279 207-232 310-348
2 and 3 6 271-309 217-248 181-206 271-309
2 and 3 5 226-270 181-216 151-180 226-270

The testing organization will issue you a copy of TEF Canada electronic test results. The results will include:

  • your score
  • the NCLC equivalence level you achieved for each test component

Canadian Experience Class

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) centres are not approved testing agencies for people who apply under the Canadian Experience Class.

TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français

Test results for each ability
NOC TEER NCLC Level Speaking (expression orale) Listening (compréhension de l’oral) Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) Writing (expression écrite)
0 and 1 10 and above 16-20 549-699 549-699 16-20
0 and 1 9 14-15 523-548 524-548 14-15
0 and 1 8 12-13 503-522 499-523 12-13
0 and 1 7 10-11 458-502 453-498 10-11
2 and 3 6 7-9 398-457 406-452 7-9
2 and 3 5 6 369-397 375-405 6

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