Is there an English test for Canadian citizenship?

Not as part of the citizenship test. If you are 18 to 54 when you sign your application, you send proof of English or French (CLB/NCLC 4 in speaking and listening) with your application. That proof can be a language test result, but it can also be proof of education in English or French or certain language training.

What IELTS score do I need for Canadian citizenship?

For IELTS General Training, 4.0 or higher in speaking and 4.5 or higher in listening. IRCC does not accept IELTS Academic for citizenship.

Can I use the language test I took for permanent residence?

Yes, if it is one of the tests IRCC accepts for citizenship and your scores are high enough. Include a copy of your results with your application, even if they have expired.

Do I need language proof if I'm 55 or older?

No. Adults aged 55 and above don't need to prove their language skills or take the citizenship test. Minors under 18 don't need to either.

Does the citizenship test check my English?

No. The citizenship test does not have questions to assess your English or French. But IRCC may note how well you speak when you talk to a citizenship official during the process.

What does CLB 4 mean?

canada.ca says it means you can take part in short, everyday conversations about common topics, understand simple instructions, questions and directions, use basic grammar, and know enough common words and phrases to answer questions and express yourself.

Language Test for Canadian Citizenship: CLB 4 and Proof

Who has to prove English or French

If you are between 18 and 54 years old on the day you sign your application, you must show that you have an adequate knowledge of English or French, Canada's 2 official languages.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship: who can apply (opens in a new tab)

Adults aged 55 and above, and all minors under 18, don't need to prove their language skills. They are already exempt and don't need to ask for a waiver.

Adults aged 18 to 54 can ask for a waiver (exemption) from proving their language skills. IRCC decides whether to approve a waiver request.

What level you need: CLB or NCLC 4

You need speaking and listening skills equal to level 4 of the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) for English, or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) for French. canada.ca says this means you can:Source: canada.ca, Citizenship: who can apply (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Language proof for citizenship (opens in a new tab)

take part in short, everyday conversations about common topicsSource: canada.ca, Citizenship: who can apply (opens in a new tab)
understand simple instructions, questions and directions
use basic grammar, including simple structures and tenses
know enough common words and phrases to answer questions and express yourself

Proof IRCC accepts

You must send at least one document IRCC accepts as proof with your application. canada.ca has a step-by-step tool to find out if you already have proof. The types of proof it lists:Source: canada.ca, Language proof for citizenship (opens in a new tab)

Education in English or French: proof that you completed, or are attending, a secondary or post-secondary program in English or French, in or outside Canada. This can be a diploma, transcript or certificate. If it's not in English or French, you must also send a certified English or French translation.
Results from an accepted language test you already took (for example, CELPIP-G, IELTS General Training, PTE Core, TEF Canada or TCF Canada), if your scores are high enough. You can send a copy even if the results have expired.Source: canada.ca, Find out if you have the language proof for citizenship: Step 2 (opens in a new tab)
LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) or CLIC training, if you have CLB level 4 or higher in speaking and listening. If you did the training on or after November 1, 2012, send a copy of your certificate. If you did it between January 2008 and October 2012, mark the box on your application and IRCC will verify it electronically.Source: canada.ca, Find out if you have the language proof for citizenship: Step 3 (opens in a new tab)
Some provincial language programs in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec. What you can send depends on the program and your results.Source: canada.ca, Find out if you have the language proof for citizenship: Step 4 (opens in a new tab)
Results from a language test IRCC accepts (see the next section).Source: canada.ca, Find out if you have the language proof for citizenship: Step 5 (opens in a new tab)

Language tests IRCC accepts and the scores you need

If you don't have other proof, you can take a language test. canada.ca lists these tests and results:Source: canada.ca, Find out if you have the language proof for citizenship: Step 5 (opens in a new tab)

CELPIP-G (General) or CELPIP-G LS (Listening and Speaking): 4 or higher in listening and speaking.
IELTS General Training: 4.0 or higher in speaking and 4.5 or higher in listening. IRCC only accepts IELTS General Training, not IELTS Academic, for citizenship.Source: canada.ca, Find out if you have the language proof for citizenship: Step 5 (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Find out if you have the language proof for citizenship: Step 2 (opens in a new tab)
PTE Core (Pearson Test of English): 28 or higher in listening and 42 or higher in speaking.Source: canada.ca, Find out if you have the language proof for citizenship: Step 5 (opens in a new tab)
French: TEF Canada, TEFAQ, TEF Intégration, Résidence et Nationalité, TCF Canada or TCFQ: B1 or higher (B2, C1 or C2) in listening and speaking.
French: DELF B1 or higher (B2, C1 or C2). DALF: all results accepted.

Before you send your proof

IRCC reviews the language proof you send. It won't process your application, and will return the whole application to you, if your proof can't be read, isn't included, or is in a language other than English or French without a certified translation.Source: canada.ca, Language proof for citizenship (opens in a new tab)

For older test results, the score you need can be different. For example, for CELPIP-G taken on or before March 31, 2014, you need 2H or higher in listening and speaking. The language proof tool on canada.ca shows the score for your test date.Source: canada.ca, Find out if you have the language proof for citizenship: Step 2 (opens in a new tab)

This page is general information, not advice about your own application. If you're not sure your proof is enough, check the official tool or contact IRCC or a licensed immigration representative.

How this is different from the citizenship test

The citizenship test checks what you know about Canada: the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and Canada's history, geography, economy, government, laws and symbols. It does not have questions to assess your English or French.Source: canada.ca, Study for the test (opens in a new tab)

IRCC measures your language skills by reviewing the proof you send with your application, by noting how well you speak when you talk to a citizenship official at any time during the process, and, if necessary, by assessing your language level during a citizenship test with an official.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship: who can apply (opens in a new tab)

If you are invited to an interview, a citizenship officer will note how well you communicate in English or French.Source: canada.ca, Study for the test (opens in a new tab)

The citizenship test itself is in English or French.

Practising with questions in the language you will take the test in can help you get used to the wording. Pass15 has a free practice test at pass15.ca/practice-test.

Common questions

Is there an English test for Canadian citizenship?: Not as part of the citizenship test. If you are 18 to 54 when you sign your application, you send proof of English or French (CLB/NCLC 4 in speaking and listening) with your application. That proof can be a language test result, but it can also be proof of education in English or French or certain language training.Source: canada.ca, Study for the test (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Language proof for citizenship (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Find out if you have the language proof for citizenship: Step 3 (opens in a new tab)
What IELTS score do I need for Canadian citizenship?: For IELTS General Training, 4.0 or higher in speaking and 4.5 or higher in listening. IRCC does not accept IELTS Academic for citizenship.Source: canada.ca, Find out if you have the language proof for citizenship: Step 5 (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Find out if you have the language proof for citizenship: Step 2 (opens in a new tab)
Can I use the language test I took for permanent residence?: Yes, if it is one of the tests IRCC accepts for citizenship and your scores are high enough. Include a copy of your results with your application, even if they have expired.Source: canada.ca, Find out if you have the language proof for citizenship: Step 2 (opens in a new tab)
Do I need language proof if I'm 55 or older?: No. Adults aged 55 and above don't need to prove their language skills or take the citizenship test. Minors under 18 don't need to either.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship: who can apply (opens in a new tab)
Does the citizenship test check my English?: No. The citizenship test does not have questions to assess your English or French. But IRCC may note how well you speak when you talk to a citizenship official during the process.Source: canada.ca, Study for the test (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Citizenship: who can apply (opens in a new tab)
What does CLB 4 mean?: canada.ca says it means you can take part in short, everyday conversations about common topics, understand simple instructions, questions and directions, use basic grammar, and know enough common words and phrases to answer questions and express yourself.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship: who can apply (opens in a new tab)