When SLE Results Expire and How to Renew Them?

Do Second Language Evaluation (SLE) Results Expire?

The Public Service Commission (PSC) of Canada permits second language evaluation (SLE) test results to remain valid for up to five years. However, that does not necessarily mean an employee must retest once that threshold is crossed.

SLE results remain valid indefinitely if an individual remains in the same role. However, if profile requirements are ever increased for the role, employees must retest and obtain a compliant linguistic profile. If an employee’s profile already complies with the new standards, they are not required to be re-evaluated.

Are SLE Results Valid Anywhere?

SLE results earned through PSC tests are portable across Canadian agencies and crown corporations as long as the results were issued within the past five years or if a worker has obtained exemption or “E” status.

Note — Multiple third-party providers are certified to administer official SLE tests. Results from these services do not follow the same validity rules as those earned when taken directly with the PSC. When second-language proficiency is assessed using methods other than the standard SLE tests, the assessment results can only be reused for other appointments within the same department or agency.

How To Renew SLE Results

SLE tests are arranged and scheduled through an agency’s human resources department.

After taking an SLE test, there is a 30-day waiting period before you can retake a test. If a person does test during this restricted period, their results will unfortunately be invalid, and the 30-day period will restart.

The most recent SLE test results earned become your new language profile, nullifying any previous levels earned. For example, if someone has a CBC language profile and earns a BBB during a retest, they will lose their CBC results.

Those with E scores

Depending on the exact score achieved in a second language evaluation, a candidate can also be assigned an E status, exempting them indefinitely. E scores are granted to those whose SLE test performance indicates they can be expected to maintain their second language proficiency at Level C indefinitely.

While specific grades depend on the type of evaluation, candidates who achieve a high Level C on an SLE evaluation (about 98% or higher) may be assigned an E, which “exempts” them from future re-testing.

E scores only exempt a worker in the specific language skill assessed. For example, someone with an EBC learner profile is exempt from taking the reading test again. An EEE learner profile would mean a worker is exempt from all three SLE evaluations.

E scores are only attainable through supervised PSC tests. Unsupervised PSC tests and test results from third-party services cannot result in exemptions.

Tips When Renewing SLE Levels

If you are beginning to re-qualify your language profile or are pursuing higher levels to remain compliant in your position, here are some tips you should consider.

Know Your Target — This is simple. Be aware of what linguistic profile and SLE test levels you need to earn. Have profile requirements changed? Are they higher?

Whether you are rusty or need to completely upskill your language proficiency, studying and investing energy and time into learning will increase your likelihood of securing the profile you need.

Immerse Yourself in the Language — Leading up to an evaluation, intentionally surrounding yourself with your second language can help reinforce language concepts, re-establish vocabulary, and improve listening skills and speaking flow.

Practice Tests — Refreshing yourself on test formats and expectations will help make sure your true language proficiency accurately translates into your test score.

See LRDG’s second language guide for more information.

Find A Tutor — If you are serious about achieving your second language evaluation goals, finding high-quality language lessons and tutors is a must.

LRDG’s blended online SLE program and tutoring platform provides serious learners with the flexibility, professionalism, and expertise they need to achieve their desired results.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why do SLE test results expire?
The Second Language Evaluation (SLE) test results expire as a way to ensure Canada maintains a strong bilingual public service sector. Language proficiency can fluctuate over time depending on usage and practice, so a test taken several years ago might not reflect one’s current language skills.

When do I have to re-take second language evaluations?
SLE test results remain valid for five years as per the Public Service Commission of Canada. However, they remain valid indefinitely as long as an individual stays in the same role. If an employee changes roles or the language requirements for a position increase, they may be required to retest to ensure their language proficiency meets the new standards.

How can I get exempt from second language evaluations?
E scores are granted to those whose SLE test performance indicates they can be expected to maintain their second language proficiency at Level C indefinitely.