What is the age limit for the Canadian citizenship test?

In most cases, you take the test if you are between 18 and 54 years old on the day you sign your application. If you are 55 or older, or under 18, when you sign your application, you don't take it.

I was 54 when I signed my application but I'm 55 now. Do I take the test?

canada.ca says the age that counts is your age on the day you sign your application. If you were between 18 and 54 on that day, in most cases you have to take the test. If you are unsure about your own case, contact IRCC.

Do children have to take the citizenship test?

No. Minors under 18 don't need to prove their language skills or take the citizenship test. Minors aged 14 to 17 usually still take the oath of citizenship; children under 14 don't need to.

Do I have to take the test if I'm married to a Canadian?

In most cases, yes, if you are between 18 and 54 on the day you sign your application. You don't automatically become a citizen when you marry a Canadian. Spouses of Canadian citizens must meet the same requirements as other adults or minors.

Does the citizenship test check my English?

No. The test does not have questions to assess your language skills. If you are 18 to 54, you prove your English or French separately, with the language proof you send with your application. If you are invited to an interview, an officer will also note how well you communicate in English or French.

Can I take the test in another language?

No. The test is in English or French.

Who Has to Take the Canadian Citizenship Test? Age Rules

The age rule: 18 to 54

In most cases, if you are between 18 and 54 years old on the day you sign your application, you have to take the citizenship test.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship test: how it works (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Citizenship: who can apply (opens in a new tab)

What counts is your age on the day you sign your application.Source: canada.ca, Waivers: who qualifies (opens in a new tab)

The same age range applies to the language requirement: if you are 18 to 54 on the day you sign your application, you must also show that you have an adequate knowledge of English or French.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship: who can apply (opens in a new tab)

Who doesn't take the test

If you are under 18 or at least 55 when you sign your application, you don't need to request a waiver. The exemption is automatic.Source: canada.ca, Waivers: who qualifies (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Citizenship: who can apply (opens in a new tab)

Not taking the test doesn't mean you skip the oath. Usually, every applicant aged 14 and older needs to take the oath of citizenship.Source: canada.ca, Waivers: who qualifies (opens in a new tab)

People who are 55 or older when they sign their application. They also don't need to prove their language skills.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship: who can apply (opens in a new tab)Discover Canada, Applying for Citizenship › About the Citizenship Test, p. 6 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)Source: canada.ca, Waivers: who qualifies (opens in a new tab)
Minors (under 18 when the application is signed). They also don't need to prove their language skills.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship: who can apply (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Waivers: who qualifies (opens in a new tab)
People aged 18 to 54 who asked for and received a waiver (see below).Source: canada.ca, Citizenship test: how it works (opens in a new tab)

Waivers for people 18 to 54

If your situation prevents you from taking the test or meeting the language requirement, you can ask for a waiver. IRCC only approves a waiver if your situation meets its criteria for compassionate grounds.Source: canada.ca, Waivers: who qualifies (opens in a new tab)

Examples that canada.ca gives of situations that qualify:

A severe medical condition that has lasted (or may last) for at least 1 year, such as a serious illness, a physical or developmental disability, or a mental impairment.
Trauma due to war, torture, or living in a refugee camp.
Low levels of education or literacy in your first language (mother tongue).

Help taking the test (accommodations)

If you need help to take the test, you can ask for an accommodation. For example, IRCC can provide a Braille, large-print or oral version of the test, or give you extra time.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship: who can apply (opens in a new tab)

Whether a waiver applies to you is IRCC's decision about your own case. Read the waiver pages on canada.ca, or contact IRCC, before you ask for one.

The language requirement is separate from the test

If you are 18 to 54, you must send proof with your application that you can speak and listen at Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) level 4 or higher in English or French. For French, the equivalent scale is the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC).Source: canada.ca, Language proof for citizenship (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Citizenship: who can apply (opens in a new tab)

IRCC accepts various certificates, diplomas and tests as proof. One example is proof that you completed, or are attending, a secondary or post-secondary program in English or French, in or outside Canada.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship: who can apply (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Language proof for citizenship (opens in a new tab)

The citizenship test itself does not have questions to assess your English or French. But IRCC may also note how well you speak when you talk to a citizenship official at any time during the application 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 the test is like

The test has 20 questions, either multiple choice or true or false. It is in English or French and is 45 minutes long. You need at least 15 of the 20 right to pass, and you have 3 chances to pass.Source: canada.ca, Study for the test (opens in a new tab)

It asks about the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens, and Canada's history, geography, economy, government, laws and symbols. IRCC invites you to the test after you submit your application.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship: who can apply (opens in a new tab)

Common questions

What is the age limit for the Canadian citizenship test?: In most cases, you take the test if you are between 18 and 54 years old on the day you sign your application. If you are 55 or older, or under 18, when you sign your application, you don't take it.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship test: how it works (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Citizenship: who can apply (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Waivers: who qualifies (opens in a new tab)
I was 54 when I signed my application but I'm 55 now. Do I take the test?: canada.ca says the age that counts is your age on the day you sign your application. If you were between 18 and 54 on that day, in most cases you have to take the test. If you are unsure about your own case, contact IRCC.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship test: how it works (opens in a new tab)
Do children have to take the citizenship test?: No. Minors under 18 don't need to prove their language skills or take the citizenship test. Minors aged 14 to 17 usually still take the oath of citizenship; children under 14 don't need to.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship: who can apply (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Waivers: who qualifies (opens in a new tab)
Do I have to take the test if I'm married to a Canadian?: In most cases, yes, if you are between 18 and 54 on the day you sign your application. You don't automatically become a citizen when you marry a Canadian. Spouses of Canadian citizens must meet the same requirements as other adults or minors.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship: who can apply (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Citizenship test: how it works (opens in a new tab)
Does the citizenship test check my English?: No. The test does not have questions to assess your language skills. If you are 18 to 54, you prove your English or French separately, with the language proof you send with your application. If you are invited to an interview, an officer will also note how well you communicate in English or French.Source: canada.ca, Study for the test (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Citizenship: who can apply (opens in a new tab)
Can I take the test in another language?: No. The test is in English or French.Source: canada.ca, Study for the test (opens in a new tab)