CELPIP Score Chart
The complete CELPIP-to-CLB conversion table — what every CELPIP level means and the CLB it equals for Canadian immigration.
Calculate my CLB & CRS points →CELPIP to CLB conversion table
CELPIP-General reports a level from 4 to 12 for each skill, and each level converts directly to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB). The mapping is one-to-one up to CLB 10 — the highest level used in Express Entry — so CELPIP 10, 11 and 12 all count as CLB 10.
| CELPIP level | CLB level | Band | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 10 | Advanced | Highly proficient in workplace and community contexts. Maximum CRS language points. |
| 11 | 10 | Advanced | Highly proficient. Counts as CLB 10 for immigration — same points as a 10 or 12. |
| 10 | 10 | Advanced | Highly proficient. The top CLB level Express Entry recognizes. |
| 9 | 9 | Advanced | Effective proficiency. The level most Express Entry candidates target — language CRS points peak here. |
| 8 | 8 | Intermediate | Good intermediate proficiency. Meets many program and licensing thresholds. |
| 7 | 7 | Intermediate | Adequate intermediate proficiency. Minimum for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. |
| 6 | 6 | Intermediate | Developing intermediate proficiency. Minimum for many trades and study pathways. |
| 5 | 5 | Intermediate | Initial intermediate proficiency. Speaking/listening minimum for Federal Skilled Trades. |
| 4 | 4 | Basic | Basic proficiency. Meets the language requirement for Canadian citizenship. |
Below CELPIP 4 (reported as M), no CLB level is established for immigration purposes.
What score do you need?
The CELPIP level you need depends on your immigration goal. The most common thresholds:
| Minimum level | Used for |
|---|---|
| CLB 4 (CELPIP 4) | Canadian citizenship (Speaking & Listening) |
| CLB 5 (CELPIP 5) | Federal Skilled Trades — Speaking & Listening |
| CLB 7 (CELPIP 7) | Federal Skilled Worker Program — all four skills (minimum) |
| CLB 9 (CELPIP 9) | Where Express Entry language CRS points peak — the competitive target |
Program requirements change — always confirm the current minimums on the official IRCC website. PrepCelpeep is not affiliated with IRCC, CELPIP or Paragon Testing.
How CELPIP is scored
CELPIP-General does not give one overall score. Instead you receive a separate level — from M (minimal proficiency) up to 12 — for each of the four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Listening and Reading are scored by computer; Writing and Speaking are rated by trained human raters. Each skill level is then converted to its CLB equivalent, and immigration programs look at your lowest skill to decide whether you meet a benchmark.
That is why a single weak skill can hold back an otherwise strong profile — and why targeted practice on your weakest skill is usually the fastest way to raise your CLB. Use the CLB & CRS calculator to see how each skill changes your Express Entry points.
Frequently asked questions
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