Each position in the federal government has an assigned language requirement. Some positions require just English or French. However, there are many positions that require bilingualism (both official languages of English & French) with different degrees of proficiency in your second language. The manager is usually responsible for determining the language requirements of a position. This decision is based on an the duties and responsibilities of the position. If the position requires the knowledge of both official languages, the manager must also determine the proficiency level, in English and in French, in each of three language skills: Reading, Writing and Oral Interaction. The proficiency levels which can be assigned to each skill are: A (beginner), B (intermediate), C (advanced). In addition, certain positions requiring specialized training or expert proficiency could be assigned Code P.

The requirements of a bilingual position are summarized in a language profile, such as the following:

A CBC/CBC profile means that a person whose first official language is French must possess the CBC level in English and a person whose first official language is English must possess the CBC level in French.

Second language proficiency is assessed by means of tests. Click here for information on the tests used by the federal public service.