How Much Does CELPIP Cost in 2026? Fees, Refunds & More

The short answer: CELPIP-General costs $290 CAD (+ tax) and CELPIP-General LS costs $195 CAD (+ tax) in Canada. But the test fee isn't the only cost you'll face. Between rescheduling fees, Express Rating, extra score reports, and re-evaluation requests, the total can add up if you're not prepared.

This guide breaks down every cost associated with taking the CELPIP test in 2026 — so there are no surprises after you click "Pay." If you haven't registered yet, follow our step-by-step CELPIP registration guide. And if you're still choosing between CELPIP and IELTS, see our CELPIP vs IELTS comparison.

CELPIP Test Fees in Canada (2026)

These are the current registration fees for tests taken in Canada. Prices were last updated on October 1, 2024, when Paragon Testing increased the CELPIP-General fee from $280 to $290.

Test TypeFee (CAD)What It CoversCELPIP-General$290 + taxListening, Reading, Writing, Speaking (all 4 skills)CELPIP-General LS$195 + taxListening and Speaking only

Which test do you need?

• Express Entry, PNP, or other immigration programs? You need CELPIP-General ($290). No exceptions — General LS won't be accepted.
• Canadian citizenship only? Either test works, but CELPIP-General LS ($195) is cheaper and shorter since citizenship only requires CLB 4 in Listening and Speaking.
• Not sure? Go with CELPIP-General. It covers everything, and you won't need to rebook if your plans change.

For a detailed breakdown of how CELPIP scores map to CLB levels, see our CELPIP scores for immigration guide.

CELPIP Test Fees Outside Canada

CELPIP-General is available at test centres in 40+ countries. Fees vary by location and are charged in local currency. Here are some examples:

CountryApproximate FeeCurrencyCanada$290CADUnited States~$285USDIndia~₹14,500 (incl. taxes)INRAustralia~$355AUDMexico~$4,000MXNJapan~¥28,000JPYBrazil~R$1,100BRL

Prices change by country. The table above gives approximate figures — always check the current price on celpip.ca when you select your test date and location. International fees were also updated on October 1, 2024.

Note: CELPIP-General LS is only available in Canada. If you're testing internationally, your only option is CELPIP-General.

What's Included in Your Registration Fee

Your CELPIP registration fee covers more than just the test itself. Here's what you get:

• The full test — all sections, administered at a test centre or online
• One digital Official Score Report — accessible through your CELPIP online account
• Score delivery — results posted to your account within 4-8 business days
• Score validity for 2 years — your scores remain valid from the test date
• Ability to send scores digitally — you can share your Official Score Report with IRCC and other organizations directly from your account

What's NOT included: Express Rating, additional hardcopy score reports, rescheduling, and re-evaluation. Those all cost extra — keep reading.

Rescheduling and Transfer Fees

Life happens. Here's what it costs to change your test date:

ActionCostConditionsFirst transfer (reschedule)FreeMust be 7+ days before your test dateSecond and later transfers$50 CAD + taxMust be 7+ days before your test dateTransfer less than 7 days beforeNot allowedYou lose the original fee

This is a recent change. Your first reschedule is now free — you only pay the $50 transfer fee starting from your second reschedule. Do all transfers through your CELPIP account at celpip.ca.

Pro tip: If you're not 100% sure about your test date, book it anyway. You can reschedule once for free if your plans change. That's much better than waiting too long and losing your preferred date in a busy city.

CELPIP Cancellation and Refund Policy

• Refunds take approximately 4-6 weeks to process
• Refunds go back to the original payment method
• If CELPIP (Paragon Testing) cancels your session, you'll get a full refund or the option to transfer to a different session

Bottom line: If there's any chance you can't make your test date, cancel at least 7 days before to get half your money back. Less than 7 days? You lose everything. No exceptions.

Express Rating: Is It Worth the Extra Cost?

Express Rating gets your scores faster — but it's not free.

Express RatingCost (CAD)CELPIP-General (in Canada)$100 + taxCELPIP-General LS (in Canada)$70 + taxInternational (CELPIP-General)~$150 + tax

Standard rating: 4-8 business days
Express Rating: 3 business days

When Express Rating is worth it:

• You have an Express Entry draw deadline coming up
• You need scores for a PNP application with a tight window
• Your work permit or study permit timeline depends on fast results

When it's NOT worth it:

• You're not in a rush — save the $100 and wait a few extra days
• You're taking a practice run and plan to retake anyway

Express Rating is purchased during registration or can sometimes be added after your test through your CELPIP account. Check celpip.ca for current availability.

Additional Score Report Fees

ItemCost (CAD)Digital score reportIncluded with registrationAdditional hardcopy score report$20 each + taxPriority/express shippingExtra (varies)

Your digital score report is included and can be accessed through your CELPIP account. Most institutions — including IRCC — accept the digital version. You only need to order hardcopies if a specific organization requires a physical document.

Re-evaluation (Score Review) Fees

Think your Writing or Speaking score doesn't reflect your performance? You can request a re-evaluation.

Re-evaluationCost (CAD)One component (Writing OR Speaking)$55 + taxBoth components (Writing AND Speaking)$110 + tax

Important details:

• Only Writing and Speaking can be re-evaluated. Listening and Reading are computer-scored — there's nothing to review
• Your score can only go up or stay the same — it will never go down after re-evaluation
• If your score increases, the $55 fee for that component is fully refunded
• Deadline: Request within 6 months of your test date
• Processing time: 6-8 weeks

Is re-evaluation worth it? If you're confident you performed better than your score shows — especially if you need just one point more for your target CLB — it's a reasonable $55 bet. You can't lose points, and you get your money back if the score goes up.

Total Cost: What You'll Actually Pay

Here's what a typical CELPIP test-taking experience costs, depending on your situation:

Best Case: Just the Test

ItemCostCELPIP-General$290Tax (13% HST in Ontario)$37.70Total$327.70

Common Scenario: Test + Express Rating

ItemCostCELPIP-General$290Express Rating$100Tax (13% HST)$50.70Total$440.70

Worst Case: Test + Reschedule + Express + Re-evaluation

ItemCostCELPIP-General$290Second reschedule$50Express Rating$100Re-evaluation (1 component)$55Tax (13% HST)$64.35Total$559.35

The lesson? Prepare well, pick the right date, and aim to do it once. The best way to keep costs down is to score what you need on your first try. Use CELTESTPIP's mock exams and practice sections to make sure you're ready before test day.

How to Save Money on CELPIP

You can't negotiate the test fee, but you can avoid unnecessary costs:

• Prepare properly. The cheapest approach is passing on your first attempt. Follow our 4-week study plan and practice with CELTESTPIP's free and Pro tools
• Choose the right test type. Don't pay $290 for CELPIP-General if you only need General LS ($195) for citizenship
• Book early. Avoid the stress of rescheduling by choosing a date you can commit to
• Use your free reschedule wisely. Your first transfer is free — but only if you do it 7+ days before the test
• Skip Express Rating unless you need it. Standard results arrive in 4-8 business days. If your deadline allows that, save the $100
• Study your weakest skills. Most people lose points on Speaking and Writing. Target those areas first — check our Speaking tips and Writing tips

CELPIP Payment Methods

CELPIP accepts a wide range of payment options through their online booking system:

Credit and debit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JCB

Digital wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay

Region-specific options:

• India: UPI, Net Banking, RuPay cards
• Netherlands: iDEAL
• Malaysia: FPX
• Singapore: PayNow

Other: Prepaid Visa/Mastercard gift cards and money orders (in CAD, payable to "Paragon Testing Enterprises Inc.")

Full payment must be made with one payment method — you can't split across two cards.