English Language Requirements for CEC

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is an immigration program for skilled workers who already have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada and want to become permanent residents. One of the core eligibility components for CEC is demonstrating your English (or French) language ability  measured by approved tests and matched against the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). Today we will be looking at the language requirements for English.

Accepted English Language Tests

To prove your English ability under CEC, IRCC accepts the following tests:

All results must be valid (issued within 2 years) at the time you create your Express Entry profile and when you apply for permanent residence.

How Canada Measures Language Levels (CLB)

IRCC uses the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) a national standard for assessing English proficiency. Your test scores in each of the four language abilities (listening, speaking, reading and writing) are converted into CLB levels.

Minimum English Requirements for CEC

The language level you must meet depends on the skill level of your Canadian work experience, as classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system’s TEER categories:

For Jobs in TEER 0 or TEER 1

These include managerial and professional occupations (e.g., software engineers, financial managers).

Minimum required level: CLB 7 in all four language abilities.

Example IELTS (General Training) equivalents for CLB 7:

• Speaking: 7.0
• Listening: 6.0
• Reading: 6.0
• Writing: 6.0 

For Jobs in TEER 2 or TEER 3

These include skilled trades and technical roles (e.g., electricians, bakers, dental assistants).

Minimum required level: CLB 5 in all four language abilities.

• Speaking: 5.0
• Listening: 5.0
• Reading: 4.0
• Writing: 5.0 

Practical Tips for English Language Testing

Take the right version of the test. IRCC won’t accept academic or special versions (e.g., IELTS Academic or CELPIP-LS).
Aim higher than the minimum. Higher CLB levels can give you more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)points in Express Entry.
Combine languages: If you also take a French test and score well in both English and French, you can earn extra CRS points.
Retake tests if needed: Many applicants retake CELPIP or IELTS to improve their scores and boost their Express Entry ranking.