If you have already taken IELTS General, CELPIP-General or TEF you can use conversion tools to know your equivalent CLB score. Go to the MPNP Language Proficiency page and use the CLB Calculator. If you want to see the CLB level conversion to IELTS General, go to this page: IELTS and CLB. You can also go to a testing centre to know your CLB.
- IELTS to CLB Score Conversion (English Test) Note that if you are testing English as your second language (and French is your first in your application), then you can only score a total of 4 points for a CLB level of 5 and above. You can also take the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program test (the CELPIP-G test) as well.
- IELTS & CLB - Convert IELTS Score Into CLB Canada IELTS and CLB IELTS – General Training is accepted by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) as evidence of English-language proficiency. If you are applying for permanent residency in Canada, it is likely that you will be required to present your test result as part of your application.
Clb Vs Ielts
Canada has two official languages – English and French. To apply for Canadian citizenship and Canadian PR status (permanent stay in Canada), you’ll need to provide proof that you have the required proficiency in the use of at least one of Canada’s official languages. Continue reading to know which English language tests are accepted by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as proof of your language ability.
You need to make sure that you are booking an approved language test, and the test administrator (the organization who is providing the language test) has been designated by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). There are only a handful of designated language test administrators and approved language tests, we will let you know which ones they are.
IRCC approved language tests for Canadian Citizenship
To apply for Canadian citizenship, there are several ways you can demonstrate your ability in the use of the English or French language. If taking a language test is the option you choose to demonstrate your ability in the use of the English language, you only need to take the listening and the speaking tests.
Taking the CELPIP-LS will be your cheapest option at $195 CAD plus taxes. CELPIP-LS is a language test administered by Paragon Testing Enterprises, a designated language test provider. The CELPIP-LS language test which is administered by Paragon Testing Enterprises is approved for Canadian citizenship applications. Another more expensive option is taking the IELTS-General Training language test and the CELPIP-General.
TABLE 1: CELPIP-LS in comparison to IELTS-General Training
| CELPIP-LS (Recommended) | IELTS-GENERAL TRAINING | |
|---|---|---|
| IRCC APPROVED FOR CITIZENSHIP | YES | YES |
| PRICE | $195 + Taxes | Around $300 + Taxes |
| TEST DURATION | 1 hour in total | Arrive before 8:15AM and be ready to stay until 6PM as the speaking test schedule is separate |
| TEST DELIVERY | Computer-delivered | Computer-delivered and/or Paper-based |
| SPEAKING TEST | Online (scenarios are given) | Face-to-face |
| TEST RESULTS | Available online in 4-5 calendar days after the test date | Available online in 13 calendar days after the test date |
| ACCENT USED IN THE LISTENING TEST | North American Accent | British Accent |
| REVIEW MATERIALS | Available - free and for purchase | Available - free and for purchase |
Expired Approved Language Tests
Pte Equivalent To Ielts
If you have taken an approved language test in the past, such as when you applied for immigration to Canada, this is an acceptable proof of language ability, even if it’s expired. You’ll need to provide a photocopy or a scanned copy of your expired test results.
IRCC approved language tests for Canadian Immigration
If you intend to immigrate to Canada using your skills, education and work experience, there are two IRCC approved language tests you can choose from:
1. CELPIP-General, administered by Paragon Testing Enterprises
2. IELTS-General Training, administered by Cambridge Assessment English, IDP Australia and The British Council
TABLE 2: CELPIP-General in comparison to IELTS-General Training
| CELPIP-General (Recommended) | IELTS-GENERAL TRAINING | |
|---|---|---|
| IRCC APPROVED FOR PR STATUS | YES | YES |
| PRICE | Canada - $280 CAD + Taxes Philippines - $215 CAD + Taxes India - ₹10845 + Taxes UAE - $340 CAD + Taxes USA - $285 CAD + Taxes China - $335 CAD + Taxes | Around $300 + Taxes |
| TEST DURATION | Single 3-Hour Test Sitting | Arrive before 8:15AM and be ready to stay until 6PM as the speaking test schedule is separate |
| TEST DELIVERY | Computer-delivered | Computer-delivered and/or Paper-based |
| SPEAKING TEST | Online (scenarios are given) | Face-to-face |
| TEST RESULTS | Available online in 4-5 calendar days after the test date | Available online in 13 calendar days after the test date |
| ACCENT USED IN THE LISTENING TEST | North American Accent | British Accent |
| REVIEW MATERIALS | Available - free and for purchase | Available - free and for purchase |
Booking your English language test
Booking your French language test
Links to Preparation Materials
Convert your CELPIP and IELTS language test results into CLB Level
Convert your language test results into CLB level or NCLC level using the tables below.
CELPIP Level to CLB Level
| CLB LEVEL | LISTENING ABILITY | READING ABILITY | WRITING ABILITY | SPEAKING ABILITY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 12 | CELPIP Level 12 | CELPIP Level 12 | CELPIP Level 12 | CELPIP Level 12 |
| CLB 11 | CELPIP Level 11 | CELPIP Level 11 | CELPIP Level 11 | CELPIP Level 11 |
| CLB 10 | CELPIP Level 10 | CELPIP Level 10 | CELPIP Level 10 | CELPIP Level 10 |
| CLB 9 | CELPIP Level 9 | CELPIP Level 9 | CELPIP Level 9 | CELPIP Level 9 |
| CLB 8 | CELPIP Level 8 | CELPIP Level 8 | CELPIP Level 8 | CELPIP Level 8 |
| CLB 7 | CELPIP Level 7 | CELPIP Level 7 | CELPIP Level 7 | CELPIP Level 7 |
| CLB 6 | CELPIP Level 6 | CELPIP Level 6 | CELPIP Level 6 | CELPIP Level 6 |
| CLB 5 | CELPIP Level 5 | CELPIP Level 5 | CELPIP Level 5 | CELPIP Level 5 |
| CLB 4 | CELPIP Level 4 | CELPIP Level 4 | CELPIP Level 4 | CELPIP Level 4 |
IELTS Band Score to CLB Level
| CLB LEVEL | LISTENING ABILITY | READING ABILITY | WRITING ABILITY | SPEAKING ABILITY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 12 | Band score 9.0 | Band score 9.0 | Band score 9.0 | Band score 9.0 |
| CLB 11 | Band score 9.0 | Band score 8.5 | Band score 8.0 | Band score 8.0 |
| CLB 10 | Band score 8.5 | Band score 8.0 | Band score 7.5 | Band score 7.5 |
| CLB 9 | Band score 8.0 | Band score 7.0 | Band score 7.0 | Band score 7.0 |
| CLB 8 | Band score 7.5 | Band score 6.5 | Band score 6.5 | Band score 6.5 |
| CLB 7 | Band score 6.0 | Band score 6.0 | Band score 6.0 | Band score 6.0 |
| CLB 6 | Band score 5.5 | Band score 5.0 | Band score 5.5 | Band score 5.5 |
| CLB 5 | Band score 5.0 | Band score 4.0 | Band score 5.0 | Band score 5.0 |
| CLB 4 | Band score 4.5 | Band score 3.5 | Band score 4.0 | Band score 4.0 |
Convert your CELPIP and IELTS language test results into CLB Level
TEF Canada Scores to NCLC Level
| NCLC LEVEL | Compréhension écrite | Expression écrite | Compréhension orale | Expression orale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCLC 10 | 263-277 | 393-415 | 316-333 | 393-415 |
| NCLC 9 | 248-262 | 371-392 | 298-315 | 371-392 |
| NCLC 8 | 233-247 | 349-370 | 280-297 | 349-370 |
| NCLC 7 | 207-232 | 310-348 | 249-279 | 310-348 |
| NCLC 6 | 181-206 | 271-309 | 217-248 | 271-309 |
| NCLC 5 | 151-180 | 226-270 | 181-216 | 226-270 |
| NCLC 4 | 121-150 | 181-225 | 145-180 | 181-225 |
TCF Canada Scores to NCLC Level
| NCLC LEVEL | Compréhension écrite | Expression écrite | Compréhension orale | Expression orale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCLC 10 | 549-699 | 16-20 | 549-699 | 16-20 |
| NCLC 9 | 524-548 | 14-15 | 523-548 | 14-15 |
| NCLC 8 | 499-523 | 12-13 | 503-522 | 12-13 |
| NCLC 7 | 453-498 | 10-11 | 458-502 | 10-11 |
| NCLC 6 | 406-452 | 7-9 | 398-457 | 7-9 |
| NCLC 5 | 375-405 | 6 | 369-397 | 6 |
| NCLC 4 | 342-374 | 4-5 | 331-368 | 4-5 |
Convert your language test results into CLB level or NCLC level. For immigration to Canada, you need to use the CLB level equivalent of your English language test results, or the NCLC level equivalent if you took the French language test.
CELPIP Level to CLB Level
| CLB LEVEL | LISTENING ABILITY | READING ABILITY | WRITING ABILITY | SPEAKING ABILITY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 12 | CELPIP Level 12 | CELPIP Level 12 | CELPIP Level 12 | CELPIP Level 12 |
| CLB 11 | CELPIP Level 11 | CELPIP Level 11 | CELPIP Level 11 | CELPIP Level 11 |
| CLB 10 | CELPIP Level 10 | CELPIP Level 10 | CELPIP Level 10 | CELPIP Level 10 |
| CLB 9 | CELPIP Level 9 | CELPIP Level 9 | CELPIP Level 9 | CELPIP Level 9 |
| CLB 8 | CELPIP Level 8 | CELPIP Level 8 | CELPIP Level 8 | CELPIP Level 8 |
| CLB 7 | CELPIP Level 7 | CELPIP Level 7 | CELPIP Level 7 | CELPIP Level 7 |
| CLB 6 | CELPIP Level 6 | CELPIP Level 6 | CELPIP Level 6 | CELPIP Level 6 |
| CLB 5 | CELPIP Level 5 | CELPIP Level 5 | CELPIP Level 5 | CELPIP Level 5 |
| CLB 4 | CELPIP Level 4 | CELPIP Level 4 | CELPIP Level 4 | CELPIP Level 4 |
IELTS Band Score to CLB Level
| CLB LEVEL | LISTENING ABILITY | READING ABILITY | WRITING ABILITY | SPEAKING ABILITY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 12 | Band score 9.0 | Band score 9.0 | Band score 9.0 | Band score 9.0 |
| CLB 11 | Band score 9.0 | Band score 8.5 | Band score 8.0 | Band score 8.0 |
| CLB 10 | Band score 8.5 | Band score 8.0 | Band score 7.5 | Band score 7.5 |
| CLB 9 | Band score 8.0 | Band score 7.0 | Band score 7.0 | Band score 7.0 |
| CLB 8 | Band score 7.5 | Band score 6.5 | Band score 6.5 | Band score 6.5 |
| CLB 7 | Band score 6.0 | Band score 6.0 | Band score 6.0 | Band score 6.0 |
| CLB 6 | Band score 5.5 | Band score 5.0 | Band score 5.5 | Band score 5.5 |
| CLB 5 | Band score 5.0 | Band score 4.0 | Band score 5.0 | Band score 5.0 |
| CLB 4 | Band score 4.5 | Band score 3.5 | Band score 4.0 | Band score 4.0 |
TEF Canada Scores to NCLC Level
| NCLC LEVEL | Compréhension écrite | Expression écrite | Compréhension orale | Expression orale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCLC 10 | 263-277 | 393-415 | 316-333 | 393-415 |
| NCLC 9 | 248-262 | 371-392 | 298-315 | 371-392 |
| NCLC 8 | 233-247 | 349-370 | 280-297 | 349-370 |
| NCLC 7 | 207-232 | 310-348 | 249-279 | 310-348 |
| NCLC 6 | 181-206 | 271-309 | 217-248 | 271-309 |
| NCLC 5 | 151-180 | 226-270 | 181-216 | 226-270 |
| NCLC 4 | 121-150 | 181-225 | 145-180 | 181-225 |
TCF Canada Scores to NCLC Level
| NCLC LEVEL | Compréhension écrite | Expression écrite | Compréhension orale | Expression orale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCLC 10 | 549-699 | 16-20 | 549-699 | 16-20 |
| NCLC 9 | 524-548 | 14-15 | 523-548 | 14-15 |
| NCLC 8 | 499-523 | 12-13 | 503-522 | 12-13 |
| NCLC 7 | 453-498 | 10-11 | 458-502 | 10-11 |
| NCLC 6 | 406-452 | 7-9 | 398-457 | 7-9 |
| NCLC 5 | 375-405 | 6 | 369-397 | 6 |
| NCLC 4 | 342-374 | 4-5 | 331-368 | 4-5 |