For Canadian permanent residence, CELPIP results must be less than 2 years old both when you create your Express Entry profile and when you submit your PR application; citizenship accepts expired results; CELPIP keeps your score report available for 5 years. Which of those numbers matters for you depends on what you are using your results for.
Much of the confusion comes from CELPIP's own website, which says "two years" on some pages and "five years" on another. This guide explains why both figures appear, sets out CELPIP validity by purpose, walks through Express Entry timing scenarios, and covers what to do if your results are close to expiring.
Why CELPIP's website says both two years and five years
If you search celpip.ca for how long CELPIP is valid, you will find two different answers:
- CELPIP's test results page says results are "valid for five years from the date your score report is issued", and your score report stays available to view for 5 years.
- CELPIP's test format and scoring page says results are "valid for two years".
- CELPIP's Australian PR English requirements page also gives "two (2) years".
The useful way to read this is to separate two questions. The first is how long CELPIP keeps your score report available, and the answer CELPIP gives is 5 years. The second is how long an organization will accept your results, and that is decided by the organization you send them to. CELPIP does not set that rule for IRCC, for Australian Home Affairs or for a professional body.
So when you ask "how long is CELPIP valid for", the honest answer is a question back: valid for what? The table below gives the answer for each common purpose.
CELPIP validity by purpose
| Purpose | CELPIP test | How old your results can be | Who sets the rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express Entry and Canadian PR | CELPIP-General | Less than 2 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you submit your PR application | IRCC |
| Canadian citizenship | CELPIP-General (taken on or after 1 April 2014) or CELPIP-General LS | Expired results are accepted | IRCC |
| Australian visas | CELPIP-General taken at a test centre on or after 7 August 2025 | CELPIP's Australian page says 2 years; confirm on the page for your visa | Australian Department of Home Affairs |
| Professional designations | CELPIP-General | Check with the body | The professional body |
Express Entry and Canadian PR
IRCC's language test page for Express Entry says your results must be "less than 2 years old when you: complete your Express Entry profile, and submit your application for permanent residence".
That is two checkpoints. Meeting the first one does not cover you for the second. CELPIP's five-year figure does not change this, because IRCC applies its own rule.
The CELPIP test on IRCC's Express Entry list is CELPIP-General. CELPIP-General LS, which covers listening and speaking only, is not on that list. For the scores each Express Entry program needs, see CELPIP and CLB for Express Entry.
Canadian citizenship
Citizenship works differently. IRCC's list of accepted language proof for citizenship accepts test results even if they are expired.
For CELPIP-General, IRCC accepts tests taken on or after 1 April 2014 with a level of 4 or higher in listening and speaking. IRCC's help centre also lists CELPIP General-LS as an accepted test for citizenship. Applicants aged 18 to 54 need to show speaking and listening at CLB 4 or higher. The full picture is in CELPIP score for citizenship.
Australian visas
CELPIP's Australian PR English requirements page gives a validity period of two (2) years. The rule that counts is the one on the Australian government page for your visa, so confirm the validity period there before you rely on an older result.
Australia's Department of Home Affairs accepts CELPIP General for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025 at a secure test centre. It does not accept CELPIP Online. Check your visa page for the score you need. More detail is in is CELPIP accepted in Australia.
Professional designations
CELPIP says CELPIP-General is also used for professional designations. Check with the professional body how recent your results must be. Check the body's own requirements before you book, and again before you send your results.
CELPIP expiry for Express Entry: timing scenarios
The Express Entry path has a fixed order: you take the test, receive your results, create your Express Entry profile, and, if you are invited to apply, submit your application for permanent residence. IRCC checks the age of your results at two of those steps: when you complete your profile and when you submit your application.
CELPIP results usually arrive online within 2–4 business days (some CELPIP pages say 3–4), so the test itself is rarely the slow part. The gap that matters is the one between creating your profile and submitting your application, because you cannot always predict when, or whether, you will be invited to apply.
| Scenario | At profile | At application | What the IRCC rule implies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Results are under 2 years old at both steps | Under 2 years | Under 2 years | The results meet the rule |
| Results are under 2 years old at profile, but reach 2 years before you submit | Under 2 years | 2 years or older | You need a new test with results under 2 years old when you submit |
| Results are already 2 years old when you want to create a profile | 2 years or older | Not reached | Take a new test before you create the profile |
The second scenario is the one that catches people. Here is how it plays out, using only the IRCC rule:
- You take CELPIP-General in March of one year.
- Your results turn 2 years old in March two years later.
- You create your Express Entry profile before that date, so the first checkpoint is met.
- If you submit your PR application before that date, the second checkpoint is also met.
- If you are only ready to submit after that date, your results no longer meet the second checkpoint, and you need a new result that is less than 2 years old.
IRCC's rule is about how old your results are. CELPIP's own five-year figure counts from the date your score report is issued. To give yourself margin, plan from your test date, which is the earliest date on your results.
How to plan around CELPIP validity
A little planning keeps your results usable through both Express Entry checkpoints.
- Mark your 2-year date. As soon as you have your results, put the date your results turn 2 years old in your calendar, counted from your test date.
- Test when you are close to ready. A test taken long before you can create a profile uses up part of its 2 years before it does any work for you.
- Leave room for a retake. If your scores fall short of your target, you need time to book again and receive new results before your 2-year date. The retake rules are below.
- Save your Official Score Report. The Official Score Report is a PDF you download from your CELPIP Account, and CELPIP's results page says hard copy score reports have been discontinued. Keep a copy with your immigration documents. Our guide on how to check CELPIP results covers where to find it.
- Think ahead to citizenship. A CELPIP-General result taken on or after 1 April 2014 that shows 4 or higher in listening and speaking can still be used for citizenship after it has expired for PR purposes, because citizenship accepts expired results.
- Book a date you can keep. Changing your booking has deadlines and possible fees, which can push your test later than planned. See can you reschedule CELPIP.
- Check other uses separately. For an Australian visa or a professional body, confirm their validity rule rather than assuming IRCC's applies.
What to do if your CELPIP results are about to expire
If your 2-year date is coming up and you still need to complete your Express Entry profile or submit your PR application, you need a new language test result.
Retaking CELPIP
According to CELPIP's policies and forms page, you cannot take more than one test session within 5 calendar days. In India, CELPIP's India page says sessions must be at least 30 days apart, and the cancel and transfer deadline is 9 calendar days. If you are testing in India, see CELPIP in India.
CELPIP-General costs around CAD $280–$299 plus tax in Canada (CELPIP's own pages list several figures), and the price at registration is final. International pricing varies. See CELPIP test fee for details.
Timing the retake
Work backwards from your 2-year date:
- Allow time for results, which usually arrive within 2–4 business days (some CELPIP pages say 3–4).
- If you might need to reschedule, remember that transfers must be made at least 7 calendar days before your test, and a transfer fee of up to CAD $50 plus tax may apply (CELPIP's policy page says the first transfer may be free).
- If you cancel at least 7 calendar days before the test, you get a 50% refund. Cancelling later than that gives no refund.
- Arrive on time with valid ID. Check-in closes 15 minutes before the test, and late arrivals are denied entry with no refund or transfer.
Preparing for the retake
A retake is also a chance to raise your scores, which can matter for Express Entry ranking. If you want a feel for where you stand before you book, you can practise under timed conditions with PrepAmigo mock tests, then confirm your level with an official test. For how the test is structured, see the CELPIP overview.
Frequently asked questions
How long is CELPIP valid for Express Entry?
For Express Entry and Canadian permanent residence, your CELPIP results must be less than 2 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and again when you submit your application for permanent residence.
Why does CELPIP say results are valid for five years?
CELPIP's results page says results are valid for five years from the date the score report is issued, and the score report stays available for 5 years. Other CELPIP pages say two years. For immigration, the rule set by the receiving organization is the one that counts, and IRCC requires results less than 2 years old for PR.
Can I use expired CELPIP results for citizenship?
Yes. IRCC accepts language test results for citizenship even if they are expired. CELPIP-General results from tests taken on or after 1 April 2014 need a level of 4 or higher in listening and speaking.
What happens if my CELPIP expires after I create my Express Entry profile?
IRCC checks the age of your results again when you submit your PR application. If your results are 2 years old or more at that point, they no longer meet the rule, and you need a new test result that is less than 2 years old.
How long is CELPIP valid for Australia?
CELPIP's Australian PR requirements page gives two years. Confirm the validity period on the Australian Department of Home Affairs page for your visa, since its rule is the one that applies.
How soon can I retake CELPIP?
CELPIP does not allow more than one test session within 5 calendar days. In India, test sessions must be at least 30 days apart.
Can I use CELPIP-General LS for Express Entry?
No. CELPIP-General LS is not on IRCC's list of accepted tests for Express Entry. It is accepted for citizenship. For Express Entry you need CELPIP-General.
Sources and further reading
- IRCC: Language test equivalency charts for Express Entry, results less than 2 years old at profile and at PR application; CELPIP-General as an accepted test.
- IRCC: Accepted language proof for citizenship, expired results accepted; CELPIP-General minimums for tests on or after 1 April 2014.
- IRCC: Proof of language ability for citizenship, CLB 4 speaking and listening for ages 18 to 54.
- IRCC help centre: accepted language tests for citizenship, CELPIP General and CELPIP General-LS accepted.
- CELPIP: Test results, the five-year statement, results timing, PDF Official Score Report.
- CELPIP: Test format and scoring, the two-year statement.
- CELPIP: Australia PR English requirements, two (2) years for Australia.
- Australian Department of Home Affairs: English language, CELPIP General accepted from 7 August 2025 at a test centre; CELPIP Online not accepted.
- CELPIP: CELPIP-General, uses for PR, Australian visas and professional designations; Canadian fee.
- CELPIP: Policies and forms, retake, transfer, cancellation and check-in rules.
- CELPIP: India, 30 days between sessions and the 9-day cancel and transfer deadline in India.