Regardless of citizenship, all applicants who do not qualify for an English Language Proficiency waiver, are required to submit proof of English Language Proficiency before Cal State LA can make an admission decision.
| Eligible English Proficiency Exam | Qualifying Undergraduate Score | Qualifying Graduate/Post-Bac Score |
|---|---|---|
| Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) | 61 ibT or higher | 80 ibT or higher TESOL program: 100 ibT or higher |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) | Band 5.5 or higher | Band 6.0 or higher TESOL program: Band 7.5 or higher |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic | 44 or higher | 53 or higher |
| 95 or higher | 105 or higher TESOL program: 125 or higher |
⏳ Scores are valid for 2 years from your test date.
📬 Official scores must be sent directly to Cal State LA by the testing agency.
How to Send Scores to Cal State LA
- TOEFL – Use Institutional Code 4399.
- IELTS – Send electronic or paper report to to California State University, Los Angeles
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic – Send report to California State University, Los Angeles
- DuoLingo English Test (DET) – Send electronic report to Cal State LA via your online Duolingo Account
English Language Proficiency Waiver
The following criteria will be used to waive this examination requirement:
✅ Completed 3+ years of high school academic course work that is taught in English;
📍 In a high school located in the U.S. or in a country where English is the main/only language used in schools (high school + college)
🌎 Countries include Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Ascension, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, England, Eritrea, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & The Grenadines, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Wales, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
✅ Completed 60+ transferable semester college units taught in English, including these General Education (GE) courses (with grades of C or better):
- English Composition
- Oral Communication
📍 In a college/university located in the U.S. or in a country where English is the main/only language used in schools (high school + college)
🌎 Countries include Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Ascension, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, England, Eritrea, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & The Grenadines, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Wales, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
✅ Earned a bachelor's (or advanced) degree from an accredited, recognized college/university
📍 In a country where English is the main/only language used in schools (high school + college)
🌎 Countries include Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Ascension, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, England, Eritrea, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & The Grenadines, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Wales, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.