How old can your language test results be when you create your Express Entry profile?
CELPIP overview
CELPIP: CELPIP scores for PR and citizenship
How IRCC uses CELPIP-General results: CLB minimums for the Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class and Skilled Trades programs, the two-year validity rule, and CLB 4 speaking and listening for citizenship.
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Study reference: IRCC language requirements (canada.ca, 2026), Ch. 1 Express Entry and citizenship — Language test results; Citizenship language proof
All 15 questions in this test
Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.
How old can your language test results be when you create your Express Entry profile?
- Less than 1 year old
- Less than 2 years old
- Less than 5 years old
- Less than 3 years old
Do citizenship applicants aged 55 or older need to prove language skills?
- Only for speaking
- Yes, at CLB 4
- No, they are exempt
- Yes, at CLB 7
Which benchmark does IRCC use to measure English ability for immigration?
- IELTS band scores
- Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)
- NCLC levels
- Common European Framework (CEFR)
You sent CELPIP-G results with your permanent residence application. Can you use them for citizenship after they expire?
- Yes, if the levels are high enough
- Only with a CELPIP letter
- Only if under five years old
- No, they must be under two years old
If your results will expire before you can apply for PR, which option does IRCC suggest?
- Send the expired results anyway
- Take the language test again
- Request a free IRCC extension
- Ask CELPIP to extend them
What are the minimum English levels for the Federal Skilled Trades Program?
- CLB 7 in all four abilities
- CLB 5 in all four abilities
- CLB 5 speaking/listening, CLB 4 reading/writing
- CLB 4 speaking/listening, CLB 5 reading/writing
Which citizenship applicants must prove their English or French skills?
- Adults aged 18 to 54
- Everyone aged 14 to 64
- Adults aged 18 to 64
- Only applicants over 55
For the Federal Skilled Worker Program, if English is your first official language, what minimum CLB is required in each of the four abilities?
- CLB 5
- CLB 4
- CLB 7
- CLB 9
For a CELPIP-G test taken on or after April 1, 2014, what results does citizenship require?
- Level 4 or higher in reading only
- Level 4 or higher in listening and speaking
- Level 7 or higher in every component
- Level 5 or higher in reading and writing
What does IRCC say happens if you apply for permanent residence with expired language results?
- You get 30 days to retest
- The results are accepted once
- Your points are halved
- The application is refused
What language level does IRCC require for citizenship?
- CLB 7 in all four skills
- CLB 4 in reading and writing
- CLB 5 in all four skills
- CLB 4 in speaking and listening
Which version of CELPIP does IRCC accept for Express Entry?
- Any CELPIP version
- CELPIP-General LS
- CELPIP Listening only
- CELPIP-General
In the FSWP selection grid, how many points does CLB 9 in one first-language ability earn?
- 5 points
- 24 points
- 4 points
- 6 points
A Canadian Experience Class applicant works in a TEER 0 or 1 occupation. What English level must they reach?
- CLB 8
- CLB 5
- CLB 9
- CLB 7
Under the Canadian Experience Class, what minimum CLB applies to a job in NOC TEER 2 or 3?
- CLB 4
- CLB 6
- CLB 7
- CLB 5
CELPIP scores for PR and citizenship: key rules to remember
Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗
Express Entry: Language test results
- Approved English tests include CELPIP; you must take the CELPIP-General test (not LS) for Express Entry.
- IRCC measures English with the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), French with NCLC.
- Canadian Experience Class: TEER 0 or 1 job → CLB 7 in all 4 abilities; TEER 2 or 3 → CLB 5.
- Federal Skilled Worker Program: first official language CLB 7 in all 4 abilities; second official language minimum CLB/NCLC 5 (for points).
- Federal Skilled Trades Program: CLB 5 speaking and listening; CLB 4 reading and writing.
- Results must be less than 2 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you submit your PR application.
- If results will expire first: retest, apply before they expire, or decline the invitation and return to the pool.
- PR application with expired results is refused.
- FSWP selection grid (first official language, max 24): per ability CLB 7 = 4 pts, CLB 8 = 5, CLB 9 = 6, CLB 10+ = 6. CELPIP-G level = CLB level for these rows.
Citizenship eligibility: language skills
- Applicants aged 18 to 54 on the day they sign must show adequate English or French: speaking and listening at CLB/NCLC 4.
- Adults 55+ and minors under 18 do not need to prove language skills or take the citizenship test.
- IRCC may also assess language when you talk with an official or at a hearing.
Citizenship language proof, Step 2 (test results)
- CELPIP-G taken on or after April 1, 2014: level 4 or higher (up to 12) in listening and speaking.
- CELPIP-G taken on or before March 31, 2014: 2H or higher in listening and speaking.
- Applies only to results you submitted when you applied for permanent residence: include a copy even if they have expired, as long as the levels are high enough. Without PR-application results, use other proof (Step 5: a new CELPIP-G or CELPIP-G LS test, level 4+).
Study the CELPIP scores for PR and citizenship rules as flashcards →
Other topics
- Test format, timing and scoringThe four components, number of parts and questions, time per component, unscored items, CELPIP levels 0–12 and how they line up with CLB and CEFR, score validity, results timing and the listed fee.
- Reading Part 1: Reading CorrespondenceOriginal letters and emails in the style of Reading Part 1: find the writer's purpose, requests, details and tone, and choose words that fit a reply.
- Reading Part 2: Reading to Apply a DiagramOriginal schedules, price lists and listings paired with an email, in the style of Reading Part 2: match a person's needs to the right option and work out costs.
- Reading Part 3: Reading for InformationOriginal three-paragraph articles in the style of Reading Part 3: decide which paragraph contains a piece of information, or whether it is not given, and answer detail questions.
- Reading Part 4: Reading for ViewpointsOriginal opinion articles in the style of Reading Part 4: identify who holds which view, the reasons behind it, the writer's stance and words that complete a reader's comment.
- Vocabulary and grammar in contextWord choice, collocations, phrasal verbs, linking words, conditionals, tenses, prepositions and register in everyday Canadian contexts, the language the Vocabulary and Readability descriptors reward.
- Writing Task 1: Writing an EmailWhat a Task 1 email must do: cover every listed point in about 150–200 words, pick the right greeting, tone and closing, state your purpose and develop each point with specific detail.
- Writing Task 2: Responding to Survey QuestionsHow to answer the survey task: choose one option, give developed reasons and examples in about 150–200 words, handle the other option and keep a suitable tone.
- Speaking Tasks 1–4Giving Advice, Talking about a Personal Experience, Describing a Scene and Making Predictions: task names, the language each one calls for, and what the Speaking descriptors look for.
- Speaking Tasks 5–8Comparing and Persuading, Dealing with a Difficult Situation, Expressing Opinions and Describing an Unusual Situation: comparisons, polite refusals, clear opinions and precise description.
- Listening format and strategiesThe six Listening parts and their question counts, timing, and text-based practice in the skills Listening tests: catching corrections, signal words, attitude, paraphrase and quick note-taking.