What TCF Canada score do I need for NCLC 5?
Checked November 1, 2026
NCLC 5 starts at 369 in listening, 375 in reading, and 6 out of 20 in writing and in speaking. It is enough for a college PGWP, Francophone Mobility and some Express Entry programs, but not for French-language rounds, which need NCLC 7.
| Skill | NCLC 5 | NCLC 6 starts at |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 369–397 | 398 |
| Reading | 375–405 | 406 |
| Writing | 6 out of 20 | 7 |
| Speaking | 6 out of 20 | 7 |
In writing and speaking, NCLC 5 is a single mark. 5 out of 20 drops to NCLC 4, and 7 already counts as NCLC 6.
Where NCLC 5 is the bar
- Canadian Experience Class, for a job in TEER 2 or 3, NCLC 5 in all four skills.
- Federal Skilled Trades, NCLC 5 in speaking and listening, with NCLC 4 in reading and writing.
- Federal Skilled Worker, NCLC 5 is the minimum for a second official language to earn points.
- Post-graduation work permit, after a college or other non-university program, NCLC 5 in all four skills.
- Francophone Mobility work permit, NCLC 5 in speaking and listening.
What it is worth in CRS points
As your first official language, NCLC 5 gives 6 points per skill, the same as NCLC 4. NCLC 7 gives 17 (16 with a spouse). Moving from NCLC 5 to NCLC 7 in all four skills adds 44 points, or 40 with a spouse, and makes you eligible for French-language rounds and the French bonus.
In writing, that step is from 6 to 10 out of 20. Write one task to see where you are now. All the levels for TCF Canada and TEF Canada are in the NCLC conversion table.