CRS points for language: what each CLB level is worth
CRS gives language points per ability: up to 34 for each of listening, reading, writing and speaking without a partner (32 with one). CLB 7 is worth 17 per ability, CLB 9 is worth 31, and CLB 10 or more is worth 34. The four abilities add up to 136 without a partner.
Work out your language points
Language points calculator
First official language, by test score
Points per ability from IRCC, with the lowest score in each test that reaches the tier.
| Item | CELPIP | IELTS GENERAL | PTE CORE | Item | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB tier | Item | L | R | W | S | L | R | W | S | Points: alone / partner |
| CLB 10 or more | 10 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 89-90 | 88-90 | 90 | 89-90 | 34 / 32 |
| CLB 9 | 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 82-88 | 78-87 | 88-89 | 84-88 | 31 / 29 |
| CLB 8 | 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 71-81 | 69-77 | 79-87 | 76-83 | 23 / 22 |
| CLB 7 | 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 60-70 | 60-68 | 69-78 | 68-75 | 17 / 16 |
| CLB 6 | 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 50-59 | 51-59 | 60-68 | 59-67 | 9 / 8 |
| CLB 4 or 5 (CLB 4 scores) | 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 28-38 | 33-41 | 41-50 | 42-50 | 6 / 6 |
| Less than CLB 4 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0 / 0 |
The score columns come from the IRCC CLB tables. IELTS and CELPIP cells are the lowest score that reaches the tier. PTE Core cells are IRCC's score band for the level, so the lowest number in a band is the one that reaches it. The CLB 4 or 5 tier is shown at CLB 4; CLB 5 earns the same points.
Why one skill can cost you points
Each ability earns its own points, so a CLB 9 in three skills and a CLB 7 in the fourth scores 31 + 31 + 31 + 17 = 110 without a partner, not 124. Raise the lowest skill first.
Second official language and your partner
Smaller tables from the same IRCC page.
| Second official language (French for an English test taker) | Points per ability, no partner | Points per ability, with partner |
|---|---|---|
| CLB 4 or less | 0 | 0 |
| CLB 5 or 6 | 1 | 1 |
| CLB 7 or 8 | 3 | 3 |
| CLB 9 or more | 6 | 6 |
| Partner's first official language | Points per ability |
|---|---|
| CLB 4 or less | 0 |
| CLB 5 or 6 | 1 |
| CLB 7 or 8 | 3 |
| CLB 9 or more | 5 |
Common questions
For the first official language, 17 points per ability without a spouse or common-law partner and 16 with one, so 68 or 64 across the four abilities.
31 per ability without a partner and 29 with one, which is 124 or 116 across the four abilities.
IRCC lists up to 34 points for each ability without a partner and 32 with one, so 136 or 128 for the first official language. A second official language adds up to 24 or 22.
CELPIP 9 in every skill. IELTS General Training: listening 8.0, reading 7.0, writing 7.0, speaking 7.0.
Yes. IRCC awards points for a spouse's or common-law partner's first official language: CLB 4 or less = 0, CLB 5 or 6 = 1, CLB 7 or 8 = 3, CLB 9 or more = 5 per ability.
IRCC asks for a CLB level, and for Express Entry it says: “You must take the CELPIP-General test.” The level depends on the program. For the Federal Skilled Worker program IRCC's table reads: “First official language Language Minimum level for all 4 abilities English CLB 7 French NCLC7” On IRCC's conversion table, CLB 7 is CELPIP 7 in each skill. For the first official language, the CRS maximum is: “Maximum points for each ability (reading, writing, speaking and listening): 32 with a spouse or common-law partner 34 without a spouse or common-law partner” See language test score for Express Entry for every program.
For Express Entry, IRCC says: “You must take the IELTS General Training option. We don’t accept IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry.” For the Federal Skilled Worker program IRCC's table reads: “First official language Language Minimum level for all 4 abilities English CLB 7 French NCLC7” On IRCC's conversion table, CLB 7 is IELTS General Training 6.0 in listening, 6.0 in reading, 6.0 in writing and 6.0 in speaking. CLB 9 is 8.0 in listening, 7.0 in reading, 7.0 in writing and 7.0 in speaking. The points for each level are in the table on this page, and every level is on IELTS to CLB.