Glossary
Canadian Language Benchmark
Also written as CLB
The scale Canadian immigration uses to describe English ability. IRCC converts IELTS General Training scores into CLB levels, which is why Express Entry requirements are written as CLB 7 rather than as a band.
Express Entry accepts IELTS General Training only, not Academic, and it does not accept a One Skill Retake result. Your test must be less than two years old both when you complete your profile and when you submit your application for permanent residence.
The minimum across all four abilities is CLB 7 for jobs classified as NOC TEER 0 or 1, and CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3.
Guides that use this term
IELTS One Skill Retake: Who Can Use It and How It Works
You can sit one section again instead of the whole test, but only if your original was on computer, only within 60 days, only once, and only if the organisation you are applying to accepts it.
General
IELTS Band Scores Explained: What Your Score Actually Means
A clear breakdown of the IELTS 0 to 9 band scale, how the four section scores combine into an overall band, and what score you need for common goals.
General
Checked against the IRCC Express Entry language test page on 8 September 2026.