A Complete Guide to CELPIP Test Booking
The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) is a general English language proficiency test. The CELPIP Tests are officially accepted by several governments, professional organizations, colleges, universities, and employers.
The CELPIP test is often seen as an alternative for the IELTS test to measure English language proficiency. One of the reasons people choose CELPIP is the use of Canadian English in the test. Before you complete your CELPIP test registration, make sure you read this article until the end. This article will cover everything you need to know about registering for the CELPIP test.
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Which CELPIP test do I need?
The CELPIP General Test is used for permanent residence applications and professional designations.
The CELPIP General LS Test is approved for Canadian citizenship applications. The test is only available in Canada.
Where is my CELPIP score accepted?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
- Permanent Resident Status
- Canadian Citizenship
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Start-up Visa Program
- Various Provincial Nominee Programs
Professional Organizations
- Alberta Human Services – Child Care Certification
- Association of Saskatchewan Realtors
- BC Corrections
- BC Health Care Assistant (HCA) Program
- Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC)
- Professional Business Accountants’ Society of Canada
- Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA)
- Real Estate Council of British Columbia (RECBC)
- Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission
Universities, Colleges, and Vocational Programs
- Alberta Institute of Massage
- Ascenda School of Management
- Ashton College
- Bow Valley College
- Canadian Arts & Sciences Institute
- Dalhousie University – UBC Certificate in Immigration: Laws, Policies and Procedures Program
- Gateway College Great Plains College
- MaKami College
- NorQuest College ELP (English Language Proficiency)
- Northern Lights College – Health Care Assistant
- Olds College
- Pace Canada College – Health Care Assistant
- Pacific Coast Community College
- Sprott Shaw College
- Think Tank Training Centre
- TLC-Edmonton Training for Foreign Caregivers
- Western Community College
What you need to register
Before you make a CELPIP test booking, there are two things you need.
1. Create or sign in to your CELPIP account at celpip.ca
2. Have your personal ID ready because you will need to enter your ID number.
See Acceptable ID to see what types of identification are accepted at the test centre.
Once you are logged in to your CELPIP account, click register for an official CELPIP test.
On the next screen, you will be asked to choose the language test you want to take, CELPIP General Test or CELPIP LS . Make sure that you choose the correct one. CELPIP LS is used for a Canadian citizenship application, and CELPIP General is used for other purposes including permanent residency application and immigration consultant license. However, check your English language requirement to determine which CELPIP exam you need to take.
After selecting the test that you want to take, you will be asked to select the purpose of you taking the test. If you cannot find the option that applies to your situation, confirm if you chose the correct test and click 'other' if you know it is the correct one.
Choosing your test centre
Next, you will be asked to choose your test location that is closest to you. There are currently over 70 test locations across Canada and internationally.
Currently, CELPIP test is available in the following countries:
- Australia
- Bangladesh
- Brazil
- Canada
- China and Hong Kong
- Ecuador
- India
- Japan
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Mexico
- Nepal
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- Sri Lanka
- South Africa
- South Korea
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
This list of countries may change at any time. Check the official CELPIP website to confirm the test availability in your area.
Choosing your test date
Once you select the test center you prefer, you will be asked to choose your test date. Select one from the upcoming test dates in your preferred location. Give yourself enough time to prepare for the test. The test is not cheap, so be sure that you are fully prepared.
CELPIP sittings are available on a first-come first-served basis. If a particular date is already full, you will not be able to register for that test session. Choose another test date.
Payment
Complete your test session registration by submitting your payment. You can make payments online using Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Paypal. Money orders sent via mail is also accepted. Contact Paragon for the payment information. It you do not have a credit card of your own, a prepaid Visa card or a prepaid MasterCard may also work. Personal cheques are not accepted.
What to do before your test day
Once you book your test session, start your preparation. The first thing test takers should do is familiarize themselves with the test format. Note that the CELPIP test is different from the IELTS exam.
- Go to your celpip.ca account to access your free mock test
- Identify the component(s) that is most challenging to you
- Practice daily to improve your skills in the needed areas
- Take part in our 7-day online CELPIP training and get expert advice from our certified CELPIP instructors
Our past students were extremely glad that they took our CELPIP preparation programs. Read their testimonials here.
Keep in mind that the test session is about 3 hours long and it is done in one test sitting. Test-takers need to get used to sitting and working with a computer for a long duration to avoid fatigue.
** If you need to re-schedule your CELPIP exam, go to your CELPIP account and submit a request to reschedule it. There may be a cost associated to re-scheduling your test.
What do I need to bring into the test?
A test taker needs to bring the original valid photo identification.
The following photo identifications are accepted:
- Passport booklet
- United States Passport Card
- Refugee protection claimant document*
- Travel document**
- Emirates ID* (in UAE only)
*Expired refugee protection claimant documents must be pre-approved by CELPIP every time you register for a test. For approval, please send a scan or picture of your expired Refugee protection claimant document by email to info@celpip.ca.
**A Travel Document refers to the following documents specifically:
Refugee Travel Document OR Certificate of Identity
The following documents are not Travel Documents and are not accepted for the CELPIP Test:
- NEXUS Card
- Work Permit
- Record of Landing
- Interim Federal Health Certificate of Eligibility
Where can I take the test?
The CELPIP - General Test is available in Canada, the USA, India, the UAE, the Philippines. For a list of the cities, visit https://www.celpip.ca/take-celpip/where-do-we-test/
When will I get my test result?
Your CELPIP score will now be available online in your CELPIP account within 4-5 business days after your test date. Express rating is no longer available. If you think your test has been evaluated incorrectly, you can apply for a re-evaluation by paying an additional fee.
When can I retake the test?
You may register for no more than one test session within four (4) calendar days. Test session registrations that violate this rule are subject to cancellation by Paragon. The CELPIP Office recommends that you do additional studying before retaking the test. See our 7-day online CELPIP training.
What to do after your CELPIP test
After you receive your CELPIP test score, you can submit it to the third party who requested it. Your score reflects your English language proficiency. If you want to know more about what your score means, check the test level descriptors. CELPIP scores are calibrated against the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels. Your CELPIP level is the same as your CLB level. This can be used as a proof that you have showed adequate proficiency of the language in your immigration application.
Re-evaluation request
Your CELPIP score will now be available in your CELPIP account within 4-5 business days after your test date. Express rating is no longer available. If you think your test has been evaluated incorrectly, you can apply for a re-evaluation by paying an additional fee. If the CELPIP level changes for any component that has been re-evaluated, the re-evaluation fee for that component will be refunded.
If you believe that your test result is inaccurate, you can apply for CELPIP re-evaluation of some of all of your CELPIP within 6 months of your test date. This can be done from your CELPIP account. There is a fee you need to pay for each evaluation of a test component. If the CELPIP level changes for any component that has been re-evaluated, the re-evaluation fee for that component will be refunded.
IMPORTANT - a re-evaluation of your listening test or reading test is unlikely to change your test scores because those two components are computer rated. On the other hand, the writing test and the speaking test are evaluated by human raters.
Ready to register for the CELPIP test?
Now that you know everything you need to know about the test, you can click the button below to complete your CELPIP test booking.
IMPORTANT- Remember to bring your passport booklet or another acceptable photo identification on your test day. You will not be able to join the test session without one.