Your TCF Canada certificate gives a score for each of the four skills: listening and reading on a 699-point scale, writing and speaking out of 20. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) does not use those scores directly. It converts each one to a Canadian Language Benchmark level — CLB in English, NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) in French.
This page gives the official conversion table, explains how it differs from the CEFR level printed on your certificate, and shows what each level is worth in Express Entry.
TCF Canada to NCLC / CLB conversion table
| Level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCLC / CLB 10+ | 549–699 | 549–699 | 16–20 | 16–20 |
| NCLC / CLB 9 | 523–548 | 524–548 | 14–15 | 14–15 |
| NCLC / CLB 8 | 503–522 | 499–523 | 12–13 | 12–13 |
| NCLC / CLB 7 | 458–502 | 453–498 | 10–11 | 10–11 |
| NCLC / CLB 6 | 398–457 | 406–452 | 7–9 | 7–9 |
| NCLC / CLB 5 | 369–397 | 375–405 | 6 | 6 |
| NCLC / CLB 4 | 331–368 | 342–374 | 4–5 | 4–5 |
The highlighted row, NCLC 7, is the level most candidates aim for: it is the minimum for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the threshold for the additional French points described below.
How to read your result
- Each skill is converted on its own. You end up with four levels, one per skill. There is no overall or average level.
- Listening and reading have different thresholds. NCLC 7 starts at 458 in listening but 453 in reading; NCLC 9 starts at 523 in listening but 524 in reading. Check each column separately.
- A strong skill does not compensate for a weak one. When a program requires NCLC 7, it requires it in all four skills.
- NCLC and CLB are the same scale. NCLC is simply the name used for French-language results.
If you want to check your own numbers, the score calculator converts all four scores at once.
CEFR levels on your certificate
Besides the scores, the certificate shows a CEFR level (A1 to C2) for each skill. France Éducation international uses the same bands for every version of the TCF:
| CEFR level | Listening / Reading (out of 699) | Writing / Speaking (out of 20) |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | 100–199 | 1 |
| A2 | 200–299 | 2–5 |
| B1 | 300–399 | 6–9 |
| B2 | 400–499 | 10–13 |
| C1 | 500–599 | 14–17 |
| C2 | 600–699 | 18–20 |
Minimum levels for Express Entry
These are the minimum levels when French is your first official language. They apply to each skill listed.
| Program | Minimum level |
|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker Program | NCLC 7 in all four skills |
| Canadian Experience Class — TEER 0 or 1 jobs | NCLC 7 in all four skills |
| Canadian Experience Class — TEER 2 or 3 jobs | NCLC 5 in all four skills |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | NCLC 5 in speaking and listening, NCLC 4 in reading and writing |
Meeting the minimum makes you eligible; it does not make you competitive. Your rank in the pool depends on your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, where higher language levels earn more points.
How many CRS points each level earns
For your first official language, CRS points are awarded per skill, so the figures below are multiplied across listening, reading, writing and speaking.
| Level | Points per skill (no spouse) | Points per skill (with spouse) |
|---|---|---|
| CLB / NCLC 10+ | 34 | 32 |
| CLB / NCLC 9 | 31 | 29 |
| CLB / NCLC 8 | 23 | 22 |
| CLB / NCLC 7 | 17 | 16 |
| CLB / NCLC 6 | 9 | 8 |
| CLB / NCLC 4–5 | 6 | 6 |
The jumps are uneven. Moving one skill from NCLC 6 to NCLC 7 adds 8 points; from 8 to 9 also adds 8; from 9 to 10 adds only 3. Four skills at NCLC 9 are worth 124 points without a spouse, against 68 at NCLC 7.
Additional points for French
On top of the points above, Express Entry gives additional points to candidates with strong French, whether French is their first or second official language:
- 25 points — NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills, and CLB 4 or lower in English (or no English test).
- 50 points — NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills, and CLB 5 or higher in all four English skills.
IRCC has also run category-based rounds of invitations for candidates with French-language proficiency. Categories are reviewed regularly, so check the current list on the IRCC site.
How long your results count
For Express Entry, your test results must be less than two years old both when you complete your profile and when you submit your application for permanent residence. If your results will expire while you are in the pool, plan a new test early enough to update your profile.
Frequently asked questions
What TCF Canada score is CLB 7?
NCLC / CLB 7 is 458–502 in listening, 453–498 in reading, and 10–11 out of 20 in both writing and speaking.
Is B2 the same as CLB 7?
No. On the TCF, B2 covers 400–499 in listening and reading, while NCLC 7 starts at 458 in listening and 453 in reading. A B2 result below those scores converts to NCLC 6.
What is the difference between NCLC and CLB?
They are the same scale. CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks) is the English name; NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) is the name used for French-language results.
Can a high score in one skill make up for a low score in another?
No. Each skill is converted and assessed separately. A program that requires NCLC 7 requires it in listening, reading, writing and speaking.
What is the highest level on the chart?
NCLC 10 and above: 549–699 in listening and reading, 16–20 in writing and speaking. The CRS awards its maximum language points at CLB 10.
Official sources
Score tables and program rules on this page were checked against the official pages below. Immigration rules change — always confirm on the official site before you apply.