How much does CELPIP cost? Fees, taxes & refunds (2026)
What the CELPIP test costs in 2026 — the CAD $290 General fee plus tax, the cheaper LS test for citizenship, reschedule and refund rules, and how to avoid paying twice.
⚡ The short version
- The CELPIP-General test is CAD $290 plus tax; CELPIP-General LS (for citizenship) is CAD $195 plus tax.
- Tax is added on top and depends on your province — in Ontario, HST brings the General total to about $328.
- Rescheduling costs $50; cancelling 7+ days out refunds half, and later cancellations refund nothing.
The CELPIP fee is one number, but the amount that actually leaves your account depends on which test you book, the province you sit it in, and whether your plans change after you register. Here's the full picture for 2026.
Fees and policies below are current as of June 2026. Paragon Testing Enterprises sets the prices and can change them, so always confirm the exact figures on celpip.ca before you pay.
What CELPIP costs in 2026
There are two CELPIP tests, and they're priced differently because they measure different things:
| Test | What it's for | Fee (before tax) |
|---|---|---|
| CELPIP-General | PR, Express Entry, professional designation — all four skills | CAD $290 |
| CELPIP-General LS | Canadian citizenship — Listening & Speaking only | CAD $195 |
Both prices took effect on October 1, 2024, when the General fee rose from $280 to $290. If you're applying for permanent residence or a job that needs an English score, you want the full General test. If you only need to prove language for citizenship, the shorter LS test is enough — and cheaper.
Tax is on top — and it varies by province
The fees above are before tax. Canada adds sales tax based on where you sit the test, so two people taking the same exam can pay different totals:
- Ontario (13% HST): $290 + $37.70 = about $327.70 for the General test.
- Alberta (5% GST): $290 + $14.50 = about $304.50.
So budget for the headline fee plus your provincial tax — not the sticker price alone.
What the fee includes
One CELPIP-General registration covers all four skills — Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking — in a single computer-based sitting of about three hours. There's no separate speaking appointment and no extra charge to send your official results to IRCC. Results are typically ready within a few calendar days, and your score report breaks down each skill as a Level from 1 to 12.
Rescheduling and cancellation fees
Plans change. Here's what it costs you if yours do (timelines are counted in calendar days before your test date):
- Reschedule (transfer): if you move your booking 7+ days ahead of the test, you pay a $50 transfer fee plus tax.
- Cancel 7+ days before: you get a 50% refund of the test fee.
- Cancel fewer than 7 days before: no refund.
One catch worth knowing: Ontario test centres use a 9-day window for the 50% refund instead of 7. And if you simply don't show up — or arrive too late to check in — you forfeit the entire fee. So treat the date you pick as firm.
Is CELPIP cheaper than IELTS?
The two tests land in a similar price range, so cost alone rarely decides it. CELPIP's real advantages are that it's fully computer-based, scored on the same 1–12 scale as the CLB benchmarks immigration uses, and built around Canadian English. We compare them in detail in CELPIP vs IELTS.
The cheapest way to pass: don't pay twice
At roughly $328 a sitting in Ontario, the most expensive thing you can do is retake the test. A second attempt doesn't just cost another fee — it costs weeks of waiting in your immigration timeline.
That's where preparation pays for itself. Knowing the test format, practising under timed conditions, and finding your weakest skill before test day is far cheaper than booking again. You can practise Reading and Listening free and get AI-scored Writing and Speaking feedback, so the one sitting you pay for is the one that counts.
Once you've decided to book, here's how to register for CELPIP step by step — from creating your account to what to bring on test day.
Fees and policies reflect CELPIP's published rates as of June 2026 and can change. Always confirm the current figures on celpip.ca before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the CELPIP test in Canada?
The CELPIP-General test costs CAD $290 plus tax, and CELPIP-General LS (used for citizenship) costs CAD $195 plus tax. These fees took effect on October 1, 2024. Tax is added on top and depends on your province.
Is there tax on top of the CELPIP fee?
Yes. Provincial sales tax is added to the fee. In Ontario the 13% HST brings the $290 General test to about $327.70; in Alberta the 5% GST brings it to about $304.50. Your total depends on where you sit the test.
Can I get a refund if I cancel my CELPIP test?
If you cancel at least 7 calendar days before your test date, you get a 50% refund. Cancel with fewer than 7 days' notice and there is no refund. Ontario test centres use a 9-day window for the 50% refund instead of 7.
How much does it cost to reschedule CELPIP?
Rescheduling (a transfer) costs CAD $50 plus tax, and the request must reach Paragon at least 7 calendar days before your test date. Inside that window you generally can't transfer — you'd have to cancel.
How much does CELPIP-General LS cost?
CELPIP-General LS is CAD $195 plus tax. It tests only Listening and Speaking and is the version IRCC accepts for Canadian citizenship, so it's cheaper than the full General test.
