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.

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:

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:

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

| When You Cancel | What You Get Back | |:---|:---|:---| | 7+ days before your test | 50% refund of registration fee | | Less than 7 days before | No refund | | No-show on test day | No refund |

• 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.

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

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.

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

Common Scenario: Test + Express Rating

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

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does CELPIP cost in Canada in 2026?

CELPIP-General costs $290 CAD (+ tax) and CELPIP-General LS costs $195 CAD (+ tax). These prices were set on October 1, 2024, when Paragon Testing increased the General fee from $280. Tax depends on your province — for example, 13% HST in Ontario brings the General total to $327.70. For a complete list of all possible fees, see the breakdown tables above.

Is CELPIP cheaper than IELTS?

CELPIP-General ($290 CAD) and IELTS ($319-$339 CAD) are in a similar price range. CELPIP-General LS ($195) is significantly cheaper if you only need Listening and Speaking for citizenship. Both tests have similar additional costs for rescheduling and extra score reports. For a full comparison, see our CELPIP vs IELTS guide.

Can I get a refund if I cancel my CELPIP test?

You'll get a 50% refund if you cancel at least 7 days before your test date. Cancel with less than 7 days notice or don't show up, and you lose the entire fee — no exceptions. Refunds take 4-6 weeks to process. If you think you might need to change your date, reschedule instead — your first transfer is free.

How much does CELPIP Express Rating cost?

$100 CAD (+ tax) for CELPIP-General and $70 for General LS in Canada. International Express Rating costs approximately $150. Express Rating delivers your scores in about 3 business days instead of the standard 4-8. It's worth it if you have a tight immigration deadline; otherwise, save the money and wait.

Can I retake CELPIP if I don't get the score I need?

Yes, you can retake CELPIP as many times as you want. Your test sessions must be at least 5 calendar days apart. Each retake costs the full registration fee ($290 for General). There's no limit on the number of attempts. To avoid paying for multiple retakes, prepare thoroughly with practice tests and study our common mistakes guide before your first attempt.

Does CELPIP cost more outside Canada?

Yes, international fees are generally higher. Prices are set in local currency and vary by country. For example, CELPIP-General in Australia costs approximately AUD $355, while in India it's around INR 14,500. Check celpip.ca for the exact fee in your country when booking your test.

What happens if CELPIP cancels my test?

If Paragon Testing cancels your session (due to technical issues, weather, etc.), you'll receive a full refund or the option to transfer to another session at no cost. This is different from test-taker-initiated cancellations, where you'd only get 50% back. You'll be notified by email if your session is cancelled and given instructions for next steps.

Is there a fee to send CELPIP scores to IRCC?

No — sending your scores digitally is included in your registration fee. You can share your Official Score Report directly from your CELPIP account to IRCC and other organizations. Additional hardcopy reports cost $20 each if needed, but most institutions accept the digital version. For details on how scores are delivered, see our test format guide.