CELPIP Test Fee in Canada 2026: Cost, Taxes and Refunds

In Canada, the CELPIP General test costs $299 and the CELPIP General LS test costs $199, plus applicable taxes. Those are the prices on the official CELPIP Canadian residency page and CELPIP Canadian citizenship page, checked on 28 October 2026.

The registration fee is only part of the cost. A late cancellation, a second transfer or a retake can add more. This guide covers the full picture so you can budget for one sitting and plan to need only one.

How much does CELPIP cost in Canada?

Buying the cheaper test to save $100 only works if it is accepted for your application. CELPIP General LS is for citizenship. For permanent residence you need CELPIP General, as our guide to the CELPIP score for Canada PR explains. If you are unsure which one applies, read CELPIP General vs LS before you pay.

What the total looks like with sales tax

CELPIP lists its prices before tax. The Canada Revenue Agency's rate table sets GST at 5% and HST at 13% to 15%, depending on the province. The table below applies those rates to the CELPIP fees so you can see the range.

CELPIP cancellation policy, refunds and reschedule fees

Most extra costs come from changing a booking. The cancellation policy, refund policy and reschedule fee below are from the official CELPIP Policies and Forms page. CELPIP calls a reschedule a transfer. Every change is made in your CELPIP Account, not at a test centre.

The same policy page also contains an older line that describes a $50 transfer fee without mentioning the free first transfer. If you are transferring for the first time, check the amount your account shows before you confirm.

Can I cancel my CELPIP test?

Yes. You can cancel a CELPIP test yourself in your CELPIP Account at any time before the test. The refund depends on timing: 50% of the fee you paid if you cancel at least 7 calendar days before the test date, and nothing if you cancel later. If you still want to test, a free first transfer to a new date usually costs less than cancelling.

Retake timing

You cannot register for more than one CELPIP session within five calendar days, and bookings that break this rule can be cancelled. A retake is a new registration at the full fee, so a second attempt at CELPIP General costs another $299 plus tax.

How much does CELPIP re-evaluation cost?

CELPIP does not list re-evaluation prices on its public pages. The CELPIP results page says the fee depends on which components you choose, and you pay it when you apply through your CELPIP Account. You can apply within six months of your test date, and each component can be re-evaluated only once.

• Requests are final sale and cannot be cancelled once submitted.
• The results page says the fee for a component is refunded if its level changes. The policy page words this as a refund when the Speaking or Writing level increases.
• Listening and Reading are computer rated, and CELPIP says re-evaluating them is unlikely to change your score.
• Re-evaluation results arrive in about one to two weeks.

In practice, re-evaluation is mainly worth considering for Writing or Speaking, when one level is one step short of a requirement. Compare your levels with your target using the CELPIP score chart and calculator before you decide.

Are score reports included in the fee?

Yes. Results appear in your CELPIP Account in 2 to 4 business days, and you download your Official Score Report as a PDF. CELPIP has discontinued hard copy score reports. To send results to IRCC, you upload the PDF, so there is no separate fee for sending scores.

Does CELPIP cost the same outside Canada?

No. Outside Canada, fees are set in local currency, and the policy page describes the transfer fee as $50 Canadian or the equivalent. Use the prices on the registration site for your test location. For one example outside Canada, see our guide to CELPIP in the UAE.

How to avoid paying for CELPIP twice

The most expensive CELPIP is the second one. Most retakes happen because one skill falls short of a target, often Writing or Speaking. These steps keep that risk low without spending anything extra.

1. 1Confirm which test your application needs: General for permanent residence, LS for citizenship.
2. 2Set a target level for each skill, not just an overall average. Express Entry checks every skill on its own.
3. 3Take a timed full mock before you book. Our CELPIP General mock tests and CELPIP General LS mock tests both start with a free Mock 1.
4. 4Book a date at least two weeks out, and decide whether you are ready at least 7 days before it. That keeps the free first transfer or the 50% refund available.
5. 5If one skill is behind, practise that skill before test day, for example with Writing practice with AI feedback or Speaking practice with AI feedback.

Preparation costs vary. Our plans and pricing are in Canadian dollars, and the first test in every skill is free. For a full study routine, follow the 30-day CELPIP study plan.

Is CELPIP cheaper than IELTS?

Usually, yes. CELPIP General is $299 plus tax everywhere in Canada, while IDP Canada listed IELTS General Training at about CAD 335 to 361 before tax, depending on the centre, when we last checked on 27 September 2026. Both prices change, so confirm them on each registration site before you book. Cost is rarely the deciding factor. Format matters more: CELPIP is fully computer-delivered, with Speaking recorded on the same day. See CELPIP vs IELTS for the full comparison.