Before you book another CELPIP test

Last verified 2026-10-28.

Do not pay for another sitting until three facts are written down.

1. Which CELPIP test that application accepts.
2. The minimum for each ability, from the official page for that application.
3. Which abilities on the official score report sit below that line.

If every required ability is already at or above the line, and the result is still valid for that application, another booking does not fix the file.

The required score

Express Entry programs do not share one minimum. The figures below are from IRCC’s language-test page, checked 28 Oct 2026. The three programs are described on Express Entry. That page does not replace the IRCC chart.

Federal Skilled Worker, first official language. CLB 7 in all four abilities. The second official language minimum on that page is CLB or NCLC 5.

Canadian Experience Class. CLB 7 in all four abilities when the job is TEER 0 or 1. CLB 5 in all four abilities when the job is TEER 2 or 3.

Federal Skilled Trades. CLB 5 for speaking and listening. CLB 4 for reading and writing.

Read the section for your program on that page. On the CELPIP-General rows it prints, the CELPIP number matches the CLB number in the band shown.

• The Federal Skilled Worker points rows print CELPIP-G 7, 8, 9, and 10 and above.
• The Canadian Experience Class rows print 9 and above, 8, and 7 for TEER 0 and 1, and 6 and 5 for TEER 2 and 3.
• Another CELPIP table on the same page prints 9 and above, then 8, 7, 6, 5, and 4.

Where a row says “10 and above” or “9 and above,” that is the top of that table. Those tables do not print a separate row for CELPIP 11 or 12.

CELPIP’s test overview chart lines CELPIP levels 4 through 12 up with the same CLB number. Level 2 on that chart is CLB 1 and 2. Levels 1, 0, and NA are not given a CLB there. Use IRCC’s chart for an Express Entry profile. The Federal Skilled Worker rows on the language-test page treat CELPIP-G 10 and above as CLB 10 and above. IRCC’s CRS criteria, checked 28 Oct 2026, give the highest first-official-language points on that page to CLB 10 or more: 32 per ability with a spouse or common-law partner, and 34 without. That table does not print a higher band for CLB 11 or 12. This guide does not copy the rest of the grid. The CRS calculator scores a profile on the published grid. It is not a forecast, and it is not an invitation.

Citizenship. If you are 18 to 54 when you sign the application, IRCC’s help centre says you must show adequate knowledge of speaking and listening in English or French, and that adequate knowledge is CLB or NCLC level 4. The citizenship documents page, for a test on or after 1 April 2014, says 4 or higher in listening and speaking for CELPIP-G, and 4 or higher in listening and speaking for CELPIP-General LS. The same page says IRCC accepts expired CELPIP-G results and expired CELPIP-General LS results. That expired-result rule is the citizenship rule.

The same documents page also accepts proof of secondary or post-secondary studies in English or French, in Canada or abroad, as language proof. It says to choose only one proof. When that education proof fits the page, the page is not asking for a new CELPIP booking. A waiver request is also described there. If IRCC does not approve the waiver, the page says you still provide language proof from the list.

Other economic programs. IRCC’s help centre page on language tests, date modified 28 Sep 2026, lists programs that require a language test. It says you need the CELPIP-General test. It says results must be less than 2 years old when you apply. The list is the Agri-food pilot, the Atlantic Immigration program, Caregivers, the Economic Mobility Pathways pilot, Express Entry, the Federal Internship for Newcomers program, permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents, the Rural and Northern Immigration pilot, the Self-employed Persons program, and the Start-up visa program. This guide does not copy each program’s benchmark. Open that program’s IRCC page for the number.

Skip the average on a CELPIP-General score report. CELPIP’s 6 Dec 2023 score-report update says the Average Score is the average of the four component scores, is not equivalent to a CLB level, and is not relevant for IRCC. That page says the Average Score is only on CELPIP-General reports. It does not apply to CELPIP-General LS.

How long the result counts

IRCC’s Express Entry language-test page says results must be less than 2 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you submit your application for permanent residence. If you apply with results that have expired, that page says IRCC will refuse the application. If you have been invited and the results will expire before you apply, that page says to be tested again, apply before they expire, or decline the invitation and return to the pool.

The help centre uses the same two-year line for the other programs on its list: less than 2 years old when you apply.

Scores, re-evaluation, and the test you sat

CELPIP’s results page says scores are in the CELPIP account 2 to 4 business days after the test date, an email goes out when they post, and the official score report downloads as a PDF from that account. Hard copy score reports have been discontinued. The overview page says results are available online within 3 to 4 business days. Use the account.

The overview page, checked 28 Oct 2026, prints these Canadian prices. Confirm the amount in checkout. That page says international pricing varies.

• CELPIP-General: $299 plus taxes, where applicable. Speaking, reading, listening, and writing. The page says this test is used for permanent residence applications. Under 2 hours and 50 minutes. Listening 46 to 55 minutes, Reading 43 to 56 minutes, Writing 53 minutes, Speaking 15 minutes.
• CELPIP-General LS: $199 plus taxes. Speaking and listening. The page says this test is used for citizenship applications. About 70 minutes. Listening 46 to 55 minutes, Speaking 15 minutes.

Re-evaluation is a review of a test you already sat. Two live CELPIP pages describe the fee differently.

The results page says you can apply to re-evaluate some or all components of the CELPIP-General Test within six months of the test date. You pay a re-evaluation fee that depends on the components you choose. If the CELPIP-General level changes for a component that was re-evaluated, the fee for that component is refunded. There is one re-evaluation per component. The request is a final sale and cannot be cancelled. CELPIP notifies you in about one to two weeks. The same paragraph says a re-evaluation of Listening and Reading is unlikely to change those scores because they are computer rated.

The policies and forms page says you can apply to re-evaluate some or all components of your CELPIP Test within 6 months of the test date. You pay a re-evaluation fee when you apply. If the score or level increased in the Speaking and Writing components, the fee paid for those components is refunded. One re-evaluation per component. The request is a final sale and cannot be cancelled. Notice comes in about 1 to 2 weeks. Listening and Reading are unlikely to change because they are computer rated. Sign in to the CELPIP account to make the request.

The results page names the CELPIP-General Test and refunds a component when its level changes. The policies page names the CELPIP Test and refunds Speaking and Writing when the level increased. If the sitting was CELPIP-General LS, read the form in the account before you pay.

The overview retake policy says: “You may register for no more than one Test Session with five (5) calendar days.” A registration that breaks that rule can be cancelled by Paragon. The same policy says to do more studying before a retake.

Free practice and a short checklist

You can prepare without buying anything. CELPIP’s prep overview says there are over 10 hours of free webinars, a free sample test, and a free practice test when you create a CELPIP account. The sample test is there so you can see the format, the timing, the question types, and the correct answers for Listening and Reading. The free practice tests page is the official free-practice door.

The prep page also sells study materials. This guide does not link to that store. A purchase is optional. The CELPIP account sign-in page lists access to 2 free practice tests. The free sample is practice. It is not an IRCC result, and it is not a score report.

The test format page says the Listening and Reading tests contain unscored items in the same format as scored items. A practice raw score is not the official CELPIP level. The official level is the score report.

Book on the official site

When you book, use CELPIP’s own pages. These links have no partner code and no tracking code.

• Find a CELPIP test date
• CELPIP test overview
• CELPIP policies and forms
• CELPIP account sign-in

The overview and the find-a-date page say test centres do not process any registration applications, and that the best way to register is online. The account sign-in page says you can register for a test, request a re-evaluation, and view test scores from that account. Choose CELPIP-General or CELPIP-General LS from the application’s rule.

The overview cancellation policy says a cancellation received at least seven calendar days before the session is refunded at 50 percent of the fee, and a later cancellation is not refunded. A transfer requested at least seven calendar days before the session, if Paragon grants it, has a transfer fee of $50.00 CAD plus applicable taxes. Read that policy in the account flow if the date is not firm.

You can stop here

Reading this page is free. It is not a retainer. It does not sell a re-evaluation, a course, or a booking. The official pages and the free sample are enough to decide.

If the score report already meets the line for the application you are filing, and the result is still valid for that application, leave the booking alone. If it does not, use the free official practice, then book on celpip.ca for the version that application accepts.

Sources

Last verified 2026-10-28. Each official page below was checked that day.