CELPIP scores for Express Entry
For Canada’s Express Entry system, your English is measured in Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). The good news: on IRCC’s official chart, your CELPIP-General level is the same as your CLB level — a CELPIP 9 is a CLB 9. Your CLB then decides two things: whether you qualify for a program, and how many CRS points you earn to be invited. Every figure on this page comes only from the Government of Canada (IRCC) at canada.ca. New to the exam itself? Start with what CELPIP is — the format, the four skills and how it is scored.
Is CELPIP accepted for Express Entry?
Yes. IRCC accepts the CELPIP-General test as proof of English for Express Entry. The full list of approved tests is CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core for English, and TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French. Your results must be less than two years old on the day you submit your permanent-residence application. Use the CLB calculator to convert a score, or the CELPIP score chart for the full conversion table.
Why IRCC designates CELPIP
CELPIP is one of the English tests officially designated by IRCC because it was built in Canada, for Canadian standards. It is developed by Paragon Testing Enterprises (originally a University of British Columbia subsidiary) and aligned directly to the Canadian Language Benchmarks, so each level has an expert-set, defensible meaning — which is exactly why your CELPIP level equals your CLB. It is fully computer-delivered in a single secure sitting, tests real-life English, and returns results in 2–4 business days. For the full picture of the test, see what CELPIP is.
Minimum CELPIP/CLB score by program
These are the minimums to be eligible. A higher level is almost always better for your ranking (see CRS points below).
| Express Entry program | Minimum language level |
|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) | CLB 7 in all four abilities |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | CLB 7 for NOC TEER 0 or 1 jobs · CLB 5 for NOC TEER 2 or 3 jobs |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) | CLB 5 in Speaking & Listening · CLB 4 in Reading & Writing |
How CELPIP/CLB affects your CRS score
Language is one of the biggest parts of the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Under the core (human-capital) factors, your official-language proficiency is worth up to 160 points without a spouse or common-law partner (150 with one) — but that total combines two parts: your first official language, worth up to 136 points without a spouse (128 with one), plus a second official language worth up to 24 more (22 with a spouse). For most CELPIP test-takers, English is the first official language, so it is the 136/128 maximum that applies to your CELPIP result. The table below shows the first-official-language points per ability — Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing are each scored separately, up to 34 points each (32 with a spouse).
| CLB level (= CELPIP level), per ability | Points — without spouse | Points — with spouse |
|---|---|---|
| Less than CLB 4 | 0 | 0 |
| CLB 4 or 5 | 6 | 6 |
| CLB 6 | 9 | 8 |
| CLB 7 | 17 | 16 |
| CLB 8 | 23 | 22 |
| CLB 9 | 31 | 29 |
| CLB 10 or more | 34 | 32 |
Because the points are per ability, the totals add up fast. Without a spouse, all four abilities at CLB 7 give 68 points (4 × 17), while all four at CLB 9 give 124 points (4 × 31). Moving from CLB 7 to CLB 9 across the board therefore adds 56 core CRS points — often the difference between sitting in the pool and getting an invitation.
Skill-transferability points: where CLB 9 pays off
Beyond the core points, the CRS gives extra skill-transferability points (up to 100 in total) for combining strong language with education or work experience. Language plays a direct role:
- Language + education: up to 50 points — and the top tier requires CLB 9 or higher on all four abilities together with your credentials (CLB 7–8 unlocks a smaller amount).
- Language + foreign work experience: up to 50 points, again with the highest amount at CLB 9+ (CLB 7–8 earns less).
- Trades — certificate of qualification + language: up to 50 points, available from CLB 5 or higher.
This is why CLB 9 is such a common target: it lifts both your core language points and your skill-transferability points at the same time.
French can earn up to 50 extra points
Separately from the core language points above, if you also test in French, IRCC awards additional points on top of your core score: 25 points if you score NCLC 7 or higher on all four French abilities and CLB 4 or lower in English (or take no English test), and 50 pointsif you score NCLC 7+ in French and CLB 5 or higher on all four English abilities. (NCLC is the French equivalent of the CLB.) For most CELPIP test-takers, the practical takeaway is simple: maximise your English CLB first, since it drives both eligibility and the largest share of your points.
How to reach a higher CLB on CELPIP
Since every CLB level is worth real CRS points, focused CELPIP practice has a direct payoff for your Express Entry profile. Work through our free CELPIP lessons, rehearse under real timing with full mock exams, and check where you stand with the CLB calculator. If you are still deciding which test to take, see our CELPIP vs IELTS comparison. Heading to Australia instead? CELPIP is now DHA-approved too — see CELPIP for Australia.
Source: Government of Canada (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) at canada.ca — Express Entry CRS criteria, Language test results, and the program eligibility pages. Immigration rules and CRS scores can change; Celpip.me is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with IRCC, so always confirm the current requirements on canada.ca before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
Is CELPIP accepted for Express Entry?
Yes. For Express Entry, IRCC accepts the CELPIP-General test as proof of English. The other approved tests are IELTS General Training and PTE Core (English), and TEF Canada and TCF Canada (French). Your language results must be less than two years old when you apply.
What CELPIP score do I need for Express Entry?
It depends on the program. The Federal Skilled Worker Program needs at least CLB 7 in each ability; the Canadian Experience Class needs CLB 7 for NOC TEER 0/1 jobs or CLB 5 for TEER 2/3 jobs; and the Federal Skilled Trades Program needs CLB 5 in Speaking and Listening and CLB 4 in Reading and Writing. Because CELPIP maps 1:1 to the CLB, a CELPIP level of 7 means CLB 7.
What CLB is a CELPIP 9?
On IRCC's equivalency chart, your CELPIP-General level is the same as your CLB level for each ability — so CELPIP 9 equals CLB 9, CELPIP 7 equals CLB 7, and so on.
How many CRS points is CLB 9 worth?
In the Comprehensive Ranking System, a first-official-language ability at CLB 9 is worth 31 points per ability without a spouse or common-law partner (29 with a spouse). Across all four abilities that is 124 points (116 with a spouse), before any skill-transferability points.
Is it worth improving from CLB 7 to CLB 9?
Yes. Without a spouse, each ability is worth 17 points at CLB 7 and 31 points at CLB 9 — so moving all four abilities from CLB 7 to CLB 9 adds 56 core CRS points, and CLB 9 can also unlock more skill-transferability points.
How long are CELPIP results valid for Express Entry?
Your language test results must be valid (taken within the last two years) when you submit your application for permanent residence.
Every CLB level is worth CRS points
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