Scores and levels
Which CLB or NCLC level does your program need?
Pick what the test is for: the tool shows the minimum level in each skill and the lowest score that reaches it on every accepted test.
Minimum level · Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker
| Skill | Level | TEF Canada | TCF Canada | CELPIP-General | IELTS General Training | PTE Core |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 7 | 434 | 453 | 7 | 6.0 | 60 |
| Writing | 7 | 428 | 10 | 7 | 6.0 | 69 |
| Listening | 7 | 434 | 458 | 7 | 6.0 | 60 |
| Speaking | 7 | 456 | 10 | 7 | 6.0 | 68 |
Results must be less than two years old (IRCC for Express Entry; French orders for residence cards and naturalisation). Provincial programmes set their own levels.
The level you need depends on what the test is for, and each skill is checked on its own. For Express Entry, the Federal Skilled Worker program needs CLB or NCLC 7 in reading, writing, listening and speaking. The Canadian Experience Class needs 7 in each skill for a TEER 0 or 1 job and 5 for a TEER 2 or 3 job. The Federal Skilled Trades program needs 5 in speaking and listening and 4 in reading and writing. The French-language category asks NCLC 7 in all four French skills, and a second official language starts earning points at level 5. For Canadian citizenship, applicants aged 18 to 54 need CLB or NCLC 4 in listening and speaking only. Provincial nominee programs set their own levels, which vary by province and stream and are not listed here. For France, since 1 January 2026, a first multi-year card asks A2, a first resident card B1 and naturalisation B2 on the European scale.
What one more level is worth
Points gained (single)
+32
| Federal Skilled Worker minimum | yes |
| French bonus possible (if French) | yes |
Charts, converters and questions by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · How charts and questions are built
Minimum level by program
| Program or procedure | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Canadian Experience Class, TEER 0 or 1 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Canadian Experience Class, TEER 2 or 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Federal Skilled Trades | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| French-language category (French tests) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Citizenship (ages 18–54) | not assessed | not assessed | 4 | 4 |
The rule behind every row is the same: the minimum must be met in each skill. A brilliant result in three skills does not compensate for a fourth one below the line. The IRCC language requirements page also sets a validity condition: results under 2 years old when the profile is created and when the permanent residence application is sent.
The lower thresholds in TEF and TCF scores
The CLB 7 scores are on the NCLC 7 page. Here are the floors for the lower minimums, those of the skilled trades program (5 orally, 4 in writing and reading) and of TEER 2 or 3 jobs (5 everywhere):
| Skill | TEF Canada NCLC 4 | TEF Canada NCLC 5 | TCF Canada NCLC 4 | TCF Canada NCLC 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 306 | 352 | 342 | 375 |
| Writing | 268 | 330 | 4 / 20 | 6 / 20 |
| Listening | 306 | 352 | 331 | 369 |
| Speaking | 328 | 387 | 4 / 20 | 6 / 20 |
Points above the minimum
Meeting a minimum makes you eligible; it does not make you competitive. In the Comprehensive Ranking System, each level above the floor adds points: in the first official language a single candidate earns 6 points per skill at CLB 5, 17 at CLB 7 and 31 at CLB 9. The mini-tool next to this page shows the gain between two levels, and the language points page gives the full picture. French speakers should also check the French bonus, which starts at NCLC 7 in all four skills.
Provincial programs
Provincial nominee programs have their own language rules. They differ by province and by stream, and we have not verified them on official pages, so this site gives no figures for them. Before you pick a target score for a provincial route, read that province's own program page; the federal minimums above remain the floor for any Express Entry profile.
If you are heading to France instead
France uses the CEFR scale, not the NCLC. Since 1 January 2026, according to Service-Public, a first multi-year residence card requires A2, a first 10-year resident card requires B1 (not required after age 65), and naturalisation requires B2 in writing and speaking. The residence card page and the naturalisation page explain which tests are accepted.