Language testing – Federal skilled workers

You must prove your language skills by taking a language test from an agency approved by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). You can use your test results to see exactly how many points you will get for the language selection factor.

You must:

  • arrange to be tested by an agency approved by CIC and pay the costs,
  • include the results of your test when you apply to be a skilled worker. If you do not, we will not process your application and will send it back to you.

Do not ask for your language test result to be sent directly to CIC. Submit your original test result with your application.

About test results

  • Use the tables below to see how many points you will get for your test results.
  • CIC will use the test results as proof of your language skills.
  • Language test results are valid if they are received by CIC within the two years from the time your test results were issued.

Approved language tests

You can take a language test from any of these approved agencies.

English

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.

First official language (Maximum 24 points)

CLB Level IELTS test results for each ability Points
(per ability)
Speaking Listening Reading
 Writing
7 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 4
8 6.5 7.5 6.5 6.5 5
9 and above 7.0 – 9.0 8.0 – 9.0 7.0 – 9.0 7.0 – 9.0 6

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

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

CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program

CELPIP has three tests: “CELPIP-General (CELPIP-G),” “CELPIP-General LS (CELPIP-General LS),” and “CELPIP-Academic (CELPIP-A).” You must take the “CELPIP-G” test.

First official language (Maximum 24 points)

CLB Level CELPIP test results for each ability Points (per ability)
Speaking Listening Reading Writing
7 4L 4L 4L 4L 4
8 4H 4H 4H 4H 5
9 5L 5L 5L 5L 6
10 and above 5H 5H 5H 5H 6

Note: CELPIP test results for tests written before May 3, 2013 will have these scores for CLB levels 9 and 10:

CLB Level CELPIP test results for each ability Points (per ability)
Speaking Listening Reading Writing
9 and above 5 5 5 5 6

Second official language (4 points if you meet the minimum threshold in all four language abilities)

CLB Level CELPIP test results for each ability Points (total)
Speaking Listening Reading Writing
5 and above 3L
3H
4L
4H
5L
5H
 3L
3H
4L
4H
5L
5H
 3L
3H
4L
4H
5L
5H
 3L
3H
4L
4H
5L
5H
 4

French

TEF: Test d’évaluation de français

You must submit results from the following TEF tests as proof of your French language proficiency:

  • compréhension écrite
  • compréhension orale
  • expression écrite
  • expression orale.

First official language (Maximum 24 points)

CLB Level TEF test results for each ability Points (per ability)
Speaking (expression orale) Listening (compréhension orale) Reading (compréhension écrite) Writing (expression écrite)
7 309 – 348 248 – 279 206 – 232 309 – 348 4
8 349 – 371 280 – 297 233 – 247 349 – 371 5
9 and above 372+ 298+ 248+ 372+ 6

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

CLB Level TEF test results for each ability Points (total)
Speaking(expression orale) Listening(compréhension orale) Reading (compréhension écrite) Writing (expression écrite)
5 and above 225 – 372+ 180 – 298+ 150 – 248+ 225 – 372+ 4

Add your points:

To calculate your points you need to add your first and second official language

Application form