Language Proficiency Standards

The ability to communicate effectively in either English or French is critical to working effectively as an audiologist or a speech-language pathologist in Ontario. Communication is a core professional skill and plays a central role in the delivery of audiology and speech-language pathology services.

Evidence of Language Proficiency

Applicants must meet the language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

1. Graduation from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Canadian University Programs in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CACUP).
   Evidence required: Official academic documentation (diploma, transcripts) required to meet the education requirement of registration, sent directly from the university to the regulatory body.
2. Evidence of completion of an audiology or speech-language pathology professional master’s degree in English and/or French.
   Evidence required: Academic credential assessment report which includes indication of language of didactic and clinical instruction or official attestation sent directly from the university to the regulatory body.
3. Achievement of the required minimum score on a standardized language fluency test in the required language. All components of the test must be completed using the same test.
   Evidence required: Official test results on one of the tests indicated below, completed within the two years prior to application, sent directly from the testing agency to the regulator.

Approved Language Proficiency Tests

The following language proficiency tests have been approved by CASLPO’s Board of Directors and satisfy CASLPO’s registration requirements, in accordance with Ontario Regulation 508/22 under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991:

English

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):
Website: http://www.toefl.org

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS):
Canadian Website: https://www.ieltscanada.ca 
International Website:  http://www.ielts.org

Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP):
Website: https://www.celpip.ca/celpip-general

French

Test d’évaluation du français (TEF or TEF Canada)
Website: https://www.lefrancaisdesaffaires.fr/tests-diplomes/test-evaluation-francais-tef/tef-canada 

Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada)
Website: https://www.france-education-international.fr/test/tcf-canada

Minimum Test Scores Required:

The Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) is recognized as the official Canadian standard for describing, measuring, and recognizing the language proficiency of individuals in English and French.

The language benchmarking project for audiology and speech-language pathology was completed by the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks (CCLB) in 2013 and identified the CLB levels required for safe and effective audiology and speech-language pathology practice. The following benchmarks reflect the required language skills associated with the typical job tasks for working in English or French as an audiologist or speech-language pathologist:

Speaking: CLB 9
Listening: CLB 9
Reading: CLB 9
Writing: CLB 9

The following acceptable language proficiency test scores are equivalent to a CLB level 9:

ENGLISH

FRANÇAIS