CLB 5 in French is called NCLC 5. On a TEF Canada test taken after December 10, 2023, you need at least 352 in reading, 352 in listening, 330 in writing and 387 in speaking. Each skill is converted on its own, and programs that ask for NCLC 5 in a skill check that skill separately, so one score below its line keeps you at NCLC 4 for that skill.
By Can Kerem Gurel for TEF Practice. Published November 13, 2026. Scores and program rules checked against IRCC pages on that date. TEF Practice is an independent preparation service, not part of IRCC or CCI Paris Île-de-France.
NCLC 5 is enough for a Francophone Mobility work permit and for the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot. It is not enough for the Express Entry French-language category or the extra French points in Express Entry, which start at NCLC 7. The rest of this page shows the exact score lines, which programs use them, and how far NCLC 5 is from NCLC 7.
NCLC 5 TEF Canada scores
These are IRCC's conversion ranges for TEF Canada tests taken after December 10, 2023, from the IRCC language test page for the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot.
| Skill | NCLC 5 range | Minimum for NCLC 5 | NCLC 4 below it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading (compréhension écrite) | 352-392 | 352 | 306-351 |
| Listening (compréhension orale) | 352-392 | 352 | 306-351 |
| Writing (expression écrite) | 330-378 | 330 | 268-329 |
| Speaking (expression orale) | 387-421 | 387 | 328-386 |
For comparison, the same IRCC page gives the TCF Canada lines for NCLC 5 as 375 in reading, 369 in listening, 6 in writing and 6 in speaking. If you are still choosing a test, our TEF vs TCF comparison covers the format differences.
Older TEF results. Tests taken between October 1, 2019 and December 10, 2023 used a flat 350-399 band for NCLC 5 in every skill. In practice that table no longer matters for new applications: IRCC needs French results to be less than two years old when you apply, and a test from before December 10, 2023 passed that point in December 2025.
To convert all four of your scores at once, use the TEF score calculator. The TEF score chart has every NCLC level.
What NCLC 5 in French qualifies you for
| Program | French requirement | Does NCLC 5 work? |
|---|---|---|
| Francophone Mobility work permit (outside Quebec) | NCLC 5 in speaking and listening | Yes. Reading and writing are not assessed |
| Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (PR) | NCLC 5 in all four skills, any TEER | Yes, with a job offer from a designated employer in a participating community |
| Canadian Experience Class, TEER 2 or 3 job | CLB/NCLC 5 in all four | Yes |
| Canadian Experience Class, TEER 0 or 1 job | CLB/NCLC 7 in all four | No |
| Federal Skilled Trades | 5 in speaking and listening, 4 in reading and writing | Yes |
| Express Entry French-language category | NCLC 7 in all four | No |
| Express Entry additional French points (25 or 50) | NCLC 7 in all four (CRS criteria) | No |
| Canadian citizenship | About CLB/NCLC 4 in speaking and listening | Yes, NCLC 5 is above it |
The requirements for Express Entry programs, PGWP and citizenship are summarised with TEF score lines in our TEF score to NCLC conversion guide.
Francophone Mobility: the most common reason people search for CLB 5
Since June 15, 2023, IRCC has asked for an "intermediate level" of French for this work permit, "equivalent to a level 5 or higher" on the NCLC scale, in speaking and listening only (eligibility page). The job must be outside Quebec and can be in any TEER category except primary agriculture jobs in TEER 4 and 5. The employer submits the offer under exemption code C16 and pays the $230 employer compliance fee.
On TEF Canada that means 387 in speaking and 352 in listening. Your reading and writing scores do not decide eligibility. IRCC's 2023 announcement also lists other proof, such as a diploma from a French-language college or university, so a test is not the only way to show the level.
Does NCLC 5 French add Express Entry points?
A little. If French is your second official language, the CRS gives 1 point per skill at CLB/NCLC 5 or 6, so up to 4 points for NCLC 5 in all four. The jump comes at NCLC 7: 3 points per skill as a second language, plus 25 or 50 additional points for French (CRS criteria, checked November 13, 2026).
| French level in all four skills | Second-language CRS points | Additional French points |
|---|---|---|
| NCLC 5 or 6 | 4 | 0 |
| NCLC 7 or 8 | 12 | 25 (English CLB 4 or lower) or 50 (English CLB 5+ in all four) |
| NCLC 9 or higher | 22 with a spouse, 24 without | Same as above |
So if your goal is Express Entry, NCLC 5 is a step on the way, not the target.
Where NCLC 5 sits on the TEF CEFR scale
CCI reports each TEF score on a CEFR scale as well: 300-399 is B1 and 400-499 is B2. Put the NCLC 5 lines on that scale and one skill stands out.
| Skill | NCLC 5 minimum | CEFR level of that score |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 352 | B1 |
| Listening | 352 | B1 |
| Writing | 330 | Low B1 |
| Speaking | 387 | Top of B1, 13 points below B2 |
Reading, listening and writing reach NCLC 5 in the middle of B1. Speaking asks for 387, which is near the B2 boundary. If you plan with a CEFR course level in mind, B1 overall is a reasonable target, but give speaking more time than the label suggests.
How far NCLC 5 is from NCLC 7
| Skill | NCLC 5 minimum | NCLC 7 minimum | Points to gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 352 | 434 | +82 |
| Listening | 352 | 434 | +82 |
| Writing | 330 | 428 | +98 |
| Speaking | 387 | 456 | +69 |
Writing has the widest gap. Speaking has the smallest in points, but it starts from a higher line.
A worked example: one skill decides
Take a candidate with these TEF Canada scores:
| Skill | Score | NCLC |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 371 | 5 |
| Listening | 344 | 4 |
| Writing | 352 | 5 |
| Speaking | 402 | 5 |
- Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: not eligible. Listening is NCLC 4, and the pilot needs NCLC 5 in all four.
- Francophone Mobility: not eligible either. Speaking passes (402 is above 387), but listening is 8 points short of 352.
- What to fix: listening only. The other three already clear NCLC 5. Eight points in listening matter more here than fifty extra points in speaking.
These scores are an illustration, not a real candidate. The point holds for real results: read your lowest skill first.
How long does it take to reach CLB 5 in French?
There is no official figure for NCLC 5. The closest planning number is the guided-hours estimate for CEFR B1, which Alliance Française schools put at about 350 to 400 hours from zero, or about 150 to 200 more if you already have A2. Treat that as a rough range. Your first language, how much French you hear and how you study all change it, and the TEF speaking line sits near B2.
What you can measure is where you are now. Before you book a test, do one timed set in each skill:
- Listening: a full set in TEF listening practice. The listening score chart shows how the 352 line compares with other programs.
- Speaking: record yourself on a Section A task and a Section B task. For Francophone Mobility, speaking and listening are all that count.
- Reading and writing: only if you need FCIP, CEC or another four-skill program. Start with TEF reading tips and Section B writing.
Mistakes that cost people NCLC 5
- Treating "B1" as the target for every skill. Speaking needs 387, near the top of B1.
- Averaging the four scores. IRCC converts each skill separately, and one NCLC 4 is enough to miss a four-skill program.
- Entering the wrong number on the form. IRCC and CCI ask for the "Équivalence ancien score / Old score equivalence" printed on the certificate in some fields. Our conversion guide explains it.
- Using an expired result. Results must be less than two years old when IRCC receives your application.
- Preparing for all four skills when the program needs two. For Francophone Mobility, reading and writing do not affect eligibility.
Frequently asked questions
What is CLB 5 in French called?
NCLC 5, short for Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens. It is the French equivalent of CLB 5 and uses the same scale.
Can I get PR with CLB 5 in French?
Yes, through some programs. The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot needs NCLC 5 in all four skills, and the Canadian Experience Class accepts NCLC 5 for TEER 2 or 3 work. The Express Entry French-language category and the additional French points need NCLC 7.
Is NCLC 5 B1 or B2?
On the TEF CEFR scale, the NCLC 5 lines for reading, listening and writing are B1. The speaking line, 387, is also B1 but only 13 points below B2.
Do I need reading and writing for the Francophone Mobility Program?
No. IRCC assesses French speaking and listening at NCLC 5 or higher for this work permit.
How many points does NCLC 5 French give in Express Entry?
As a second official language, 1 CRS point per skill, so 4 points with NCLC 5 in all four. The 25 or 50 additional French points start at NCLC 7 in all four skills.
Is NCLC 5 enough for Canadian citizenship?
Yes. Citizenship asks for about CLB/NCLC 4 in speaking and listening, so NCLC 5 in those two skills is above the requirement.
What to do next
- Check your program's line in the tables above.
- Run your latest scores through the TEF score calculator and find your lowest skill.
- Practise that skill first. For most Francophone Mobility applicants, that is listening or speaking.