The CELPIP Test: Format, Fees, Results and Rules (2026)
Everything about the CELPIP-General test in one place: what is on it and how long each part takes, what it costs, the booking rules, when results arrive, and how the scores work for Canadian immigration.
Checked against celpip.ca, canada.ca and CELPIP's 2026 study packs in October 2026.
Try free CELPIP practice questionsCELPIP-General or CELPIP-General LS?
There are two versions. CELPIP-General tests all four skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking) in about 3 hours, and it is the one used for permanent residence, other visas, professional designation and employment. CELPIP-General LS tests only listening and speaking in about 1 hour, and it is accepted only for Canadian citizenship.
| CELPIP-General | CELPIP-General LS | |
|---|---|---|
| Skills tested | Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking | Listening, Speaking |
| Length | About 3 hours | About 1 hour |
| Fee in Canada | $299 + tax | $199 + tax |
| Used for | PR, visas, professional designation, employment | Canadian citizenship only |
The format: four tests, in this order
The test is taken on a computer at a test center. You get paper and a pen for notes, every part has its own time limit, and when the time is up the test moves on by itself, so you cannot go back. Listening and Reading may each include one unscored part, and you will not know which one it is.
| Test | Time | Parts | What you do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | about 47 to 55 minutes | 6 parts, 38 scored questions | Conversations, a news item, a discussion and a talk, each played once |
| Reading | about 55 to 60 minutes | 4 parts, 38 scored questions | An email, a diagram, an informational text and an opinion article |
| Writing | 53 minutes | 2 tasks | An email (27 minutes) and a survey response (26 minutes), about 150 to 200 words each |
| Speaking | about 15 minutes | 8 tasks | Spoken answers recorded on the computer, 60 or 90 seconds each |
Fees, booking and the rules that cost people their test
CELPIP-General costs $299 + tax in Canada, and CELPIP-General LS costs $199 + tax. You register online only: test centers do not take registrations. The official date finder offers sessions on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, in the morning or the afternoon, in 58 cities across all ten provinces (there are no CELPIP test cities in the territories).
Arrive 45 minutes early. Check-in closes 15 minutes before the test starts, and if you are late you get no refund and no transfer. You can take at most one test session within 5 calendar days.
If you cancel 7 or more calendar days before your test, you get a 50% refund. With fewer than 7 days to go, there is no refund. Moving to another date 7 or more days ahead costs $50 + tax. CELPIP's fees and rules can change, so confirm them on celpip.ca before you pay.
Results and what the scores mean
Results are posted online in 3 to 4 business days. You get a CELPIP level for each skill. Listening and Reading are scored by computer from your correct answers and the difficulty of the questions, and no points are taken off for wrong answers. Writing and Speaking are scored by trained raters.
CELPIP reports a level for each skill, and each CELPIP level equals the same CLB level for Canadian immigration (CELPIP 10, 11 and 12 all count as CLB 10+). For Canadian immigration, your results must be less than 2 years old.
The minimum levels depend on the program. The Federal Skilled Worker program needs CLB 7 in all four skills. The Canadian Experience Class needs CLB 7 for TEER 0 and 1 jobs and CLB 5 for TEER 2 and 3 jobs. The Federal Skilled Trades program needs CLB 5 in speaking and listening and CLB 4 in reading and writing. Citizenship (ages 18 to 54) needs CLB 4 in speaking and listening.
CELPIP test FAQ
How much does the CELPIP test cost?
In Canada, CELPIP-General costs $299 + tax and CELPIP-General LS costs $199 + tax. Check celpip.ca for the current fee before you book.
How long is the CELPIP test?
CELPIP-General takes about 3 hours: Listening about 47 to 55 minutes, Reading about 55 to 60 minutes, Writing 53 minutes and Speaking about 15 minutes. CELPIP-General LS takes about 1 hour.
How long does it take to get CELPIP results?
Results are posted online in 3 to 4 business days.
How long are CELPIP results valid for immigration?
For Canadian immigration, your language test results must be less than 2 years old.
Can I retake the CELPIP test right away?
You can take at most one test session within 5 calendar days.
What is the difference between CELPIP-General and CELPIP-General LS?
CELPIP-General tests all four skills and is used for PR, visas, professional designation and employment. CELPIP-General LS tests only listening and speaking, and it is accepted only for Canadian citizenship.
Where can I take the CELPIP test in Canada?
In 58 cities across all ten provinces, at more than 60 test centers. There are no CELPIP test cities in Yukon, the Northwest Territories or Nunavut.
Is CELPIP a computer-based test?
Yes. You take it on a computer at a test center: you read and answer on screen, and you speak into a microphone for the speaking tasks. You get paper and a pen for notes.