CELPIP Score for PGWP: What You Need for a Post-Graduation Work Permit
The CELPIP score you need for a post-graduation work permit. CLB 7 for university programs, CLB 5 for college programs, which CELPIP test counts, and how to check your own result.
The Celpip Plus team
Written and reviewed against the official CELPIP scoring criteria
Since November 1, 2024, most people applying for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) have to prove their English or French. If you choose English and take CELPIP, the score you need depends on the kind of program you graduated from.
To check your four CELPIP scores against both PGWP minimums at once, use the CELPIP to CLB calculator.
The requirement by program
IRCC sets the minimum as a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level in each of the four abilities: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
| You graduated from | Minimum | CELPIP score needed, each skill |
|---|---|---|
| A bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree program | CLB 7 in all four | 7 or higher |
| Another university program | CLB 7 in all four | 7 or higher |
| A college, polytechnic or other non-university program | CLB 5 in all four | 5 or higher |
| A flight school | No language requirement | Not needed |
A CELPIP-General score converts to CLB one-to-one for these levels, so a 7 in Writing is CLB 7 in writing. The CELPIP score chart has the full conversion.
Which CELPIP test counts
Take CELPIP-General, which tests all four skills. CELPIP-General LS tests only listening and speaking. It's designed for citizenship applications, and because it has no reading or writing score it can't meet a PGWP requirement.
IRCC also accepts IELTS General Training and PTE Core in English, and TEF Canada and TCF Canada in French. If you have one of those results, the CLB calculator converts IELTS and PTE Core too.
Every skill counts on its own
The minimum applies to each skill separately. Your score report shows an Average Score across all four, but IRCC doesn't use it.
Here's how one result plays out:
| Skill | CELPIP score | CLB | College (CLB 5) | University (CLB 7) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 7 | CLB 7 | Meets | Meets |
| Reading | 6 | CLB 6 | Meets | Short by 1 level |
| Writing | 7 | CLB 7 | Meets | Meets |
| Speaking | 8 | CLB 8 | Meets | Meets |
This person meets the college requirement but not the university one. Reading alone is the problem, and the average of 7 doesn't change that. They would need a retake with Reading at 7 or higher, and CELPIP has no single-skill retake, so that means sitting the whole test again.
Timing
Your results must be less than 2 years old when you apply. CELPIP-General results usually reach your account 2 to 4 business days after the test, and Express Rating shortens that to 1 to 2 calendar days for an extra fee. CELPIP results covers both.
Leave room for a retake if you're unsure about one skill. A retake means a new booking, the full fee again and another wait for results, so testing a few weeks before you need the score is safer than testing a few days before.
If you also plan to stay longer
The PGWP minimum is lower than what many permanent residence programs ask for. The Federal Skilled Worker program, for example, needs CLB 7 in all four skills, and higher CLB levels also earn more Express Entry points. If PR is the next step, aim above the PGWP minimum now. CELPIP scores for Canadian immigration covers those programs.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on your program. University graduates need CLB 7 in all four skills, which is a CELPIP score of 7 or higher in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. College and polytechnic graduates need CLB 5 in all four, a CELPIP score of 5 or higher in each.
CELPIP-General, the four-skill test. CELPIP-General LS covers only Listening and Speaking, so it can't show all four skills and isn't accepted for a PGWP.
In every skill. IRCC sets the minimum for each of the four abilities, so CLB 7 in three skills and CLB 6 in one doesn't meet the university requirement. Your CELPIP Average Score isn't used.
Yes. IRCC accepts CELPIP-General for the PGWP language requirement, along with IELTS General Training and PTE Core for English, and TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French.
Your test results must be less than 2 years old when you submit your PGWP application. Book early enough that results arrive before you apply, but not so early that they expire first.
No. IRCC lists no language requirement for flight school graduates applying for a PGWP.