CLB Conversion Guide
Convert TEF & TCF scores to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels
What is CLB?
The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) is the national standard for describing, measuring, and recognizing the English and French language proficiency of adult immigrants and prospective immigrants for living and working in Canada.
For French language tests (TEF Canada and TCF Canada), your test scores are converted to CLB levels (or NCLC - Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens for French) using official IRCC conversion tables.
CLB Requirements by Program
| Immigration Program | Minimum CLB | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Express Entry - FSW | CLB 7 | All four skills (listening, reading, writing, speaking) |
| Express Entry - CEC (NOC 0/A) | CLB 7 | Management & professional occupations |
| Express Entry - CEC (NOC B) | CLB 5 | Technical & skilled trade occupations |
| Provincial Nominee Programs | CLB 4-7 | Varies by province and stream |
| Canadian Citizenship | CLB 4 | Speaking and listening only |
| Francophone Immigration | CLB 5-7 | Lower requirements for French speakers |
TEF Canada to CLB Conversion
🎧 Listening Comprehension
| CLB Level | TEF Score Range | Proficiency |
|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 316-360 | Superior |
| CLB 9 | 298-315 | Advanced high |
| CLB 8 | 280-297 | Advanced |
| CLB 7 | 249-279 | Intermediate high |
| CLB 6 | 217-248 | Intermediate |
| CLB 5 | 181-216 | Intermediate low |
| CLB 4 | 145-180 | Basic |
📖 Reading Comprehension
| CLB Level | TEF Score Range | Proficiency |
|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 263-300 | Superior |
| CLB 9 | 248-262 | Advanced high |
| CLB 8 | 233-247 | Advanced |
| CLB 7 | 207-232 | Intermediate high |
| CLB 6 | 181-206 | Intermediate |
| CLB 5 | 151-180 | Intermediate low |
| CLB 4 | 121-150 | Basic |
✍️ Written Expression
| CLB Level | TEF Score Range | Proficiency |
|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 393-450 | Superior |
| CLB 9 | 371-392 | Advanced high |
| CLB 8 | 349-370 | Advanced |
| CLB 7 | 310-348 | Intermediate high |
| CLB 6 | 271-309 | Intermediate |
| CLB 5 | 226-270 | Intermediate low |
| CLB 4 | 181-225 | Basic |
🗣️ Oral Expression
| CLB Level | TEF Score Range | Proficiency |
|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 393-450 | Superior |
| CLB 9 | 371-392 | Advanced high |
| CLB 8 | 349-370 | Advanced |
| CLB 7 | 310-348 | Intermediate high |
| CLB 6 | 271-309 | Intermediate |
| CLB 5 | 226-270 | Intermediate low |
| CLB 4 | 181-225 | Basic |
TCF Canada to CLB Conversion
TCF Canada uses a score range of 300-699 points per skill. The conversion tables are different from TEF Canada.
🎧 Listening Comprehension
| CLB Level | TCF Score Range | Proficiency |
|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 549-699 | Superior |
| CLB 9 | 523-548 | Advanced high |
| CLB 8 | 503-522 | Advanced |
| CLB 7 | 458-502 | Intermediate high |
| CLB 6 | 398-457 | Intermediate |
| CLB 5 | 369-397 | Intermediate low |
| CLB 4 | 331-368 | Basic |
📖 Reading Comprehension
| CLB Level | TCF Score Range | Proficiency |
|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 549-699 | Superior |
| CLB 9 | 524-548 | Advanced high |
| CLB 8 | 499-523 | Advanced |
| CLB 7 | 453-498 | Intermediate high |
| CLB 6 | 406-452 | Intermediate |
| CLB 5 | 375-405 | Intermediate low |
| CLB 4 | 342-374 | Basic |
✍️ Written Expression
| CLB Level | TCF Score Range | Proficiency |
|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 549-699 | Superior |
| CLB 9 | 524-548 | Advanced high |
| CLB 8 | 499-523 | Advanced |
| CLB 7 | 453-498 | Intermediate high |
| CLB 6 | 406-452 | Intermediate |
| CLB 5 | 369-405 | Intermediate low |
| CLB 4 | 310-368 | Basic |
🗣️ Oral Expression
| CLB Level | TCF Score Range | Proficiency |
|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 549-699 | Superior |
| CLB 9 | 523-548 | Advanced high |
| CLB 8 | 503-522 | Advanced |
| CLB 7 | 458-502 | Intermediate high |
| CLB 6 | 398-457 | Intermediate |
| CLB 5 | 369-397 | Intermediate low |
| CLB 4 | 331-368 | Basic |
Express Entry CRS Points Bonus
If you have CLB 7 or higher in French AND CLB 5 or higher in English, you can receive bonus Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points:
- ★Up to 50 bonus points for strong bilingual skills
- ★25 points for French-speaking skills with or without English
- ★These points can make a significant difference in Express Entry draws
💡 Tip: Even if English is your first language, strong French skills can dramatically boost your CRS score and improve your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
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Disclaimer: These conversion tables are based on official IRCC guidelines. However, immigration requirements and conversion tables may change. Always verify the latest requirements on the official IRCC website before applying for immigration programs.