If you earned your degree outside the United States and are actively job hunting, a credential evaluation can prove that you have the necessary qualifications for the role. An employer, human resources department, licensing board, or government agency will be certain that you meet their minimum education requirements, and can then easily move on to determine if you are the right fit. However, each recipient has its own policies, standards, and potential requirements for folks with degrees from institutions abroad. For credential evaluations specifically, they may have different requirements for the evaluator, product type, delivery method, and content to be included on the report.
Credential evaluation products like those found at IEE can vary. Some evaluations include more information than others, and thus may require more documentation. Furthermore, report types and service options differ from agency to agency. It is advised to shop around to see which evaluation provider best meets the needs of both the individual being evaluated and the recipient of the report.
Generally speaking, it is best to choose an evaluation agency with membership in the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, or NACES; being a member of this organization signals a dedication to best practices, ethical standards and quality assurance in the industry. That being said, no evaluator can guarantee that every employer or board will accept every report, so it’s good to confirm specific needs for each recipient.
What Should You Look for in the Best Credential Evaluation Services for Jobs?
When choosing an evaluator, job seekers and ambitious professionals should consider a number of factors: report features and types, document requirements, evaluation methodology, company credibility, and processing time. Additionally, the purpose of the evaluation, recipient of the report and expertise of the evaluator can make a difference. Everyone’s journey or experience is different, so rather than choosing from a generic online search or word-of-mouth recommendation, consider your potential employer or licensing authority. From there, compare providers against the specific requirements and preferences of the recipient.
1. Acceptance by the intended recipient
Ask the employer, HR team, licensing board, or agency whether it accepts a report from the evaluator you are considering. If the job posting identifies an evaluator or membership association, follow that instruction. If the requirement is unclear, request written confirmation before paying for a report.
2. A report that answers the reviewer’s question
Some employers need a straightforward comparison between an international credential and a US education level. Others need course details, a GPA calculation, document verification, or information about professional preparation. The right report should give the reviewer enough relevant information while being in a proper format.
3. A documented, accountable process
Review the provider’s instructions for document submission, translations, verification, corrections, delivery, and customer support. The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services explains how to choose a private evaluation company and why professional standards matter. NACES membership is a useful trust signal, but it does not replace confirming the employer’s or board’s requirements.
4. A realistic deadline
Turnaround time usually depends on receiving a complete and correct set of documents. Look for details about timeframes, and ask what can delay the review.
Which Credential Evaluation Providers Should Job Seekers Compare?
There is no single best evaluator for every job application, hiring manager or HR department. It is wise to consider the recipient’s needs, followed by the best fitting credential evaluator. Factors affecting fit can include product offerings, delivery speed, pricing, and employer preferences.
Popular organizations for credential evaluations include IEE, World Education Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), Scholaro, and The Evaluation Company (TEC), among others. Each have their own reputations, methodologies, product options, organizational partnerships, workflows, communication accessibility, document requirements, customer satisfaction scores, and prices. Provider names can appear in job postings, government instructions, and company handbooks. If a recipient gives you a specific credential evaluation service from which to retain an evaluation, it’s good to follow this direction. If they give a short list or certain criteria (such as NACES membership), be sure to choose a service that satisfies. If the recipient gives you freedom to choose, educate yourself on the options; that way, you can select the best fit for your needs.
How Do Employers and Licensing Boards Use a Credential Evaluation?
Employers and licensing authorities use evaluations to understand education completed in another country. A credential evaluation can give an adjudicator, recruiter or manager better context about candidate qualifications. As there tend to be minimum education requirements for many roles or occupations, the credential evaluation indicates the applicant’s highest level of completed education. This in turn supports a job application, ensures fair consideration and comparison with other applicants, and mitigates risk for job creators and regulators. While the credential evaluation can be a critical difference maker, decisions are ultimately left to the discretion of the individual, committee or organization responsible for processing and either accepting or rejecting an application.
Public and private sector employment
An employer may want confirmation that your international degree is comparable to a US bachelor’s, master’s, or other level. For even more clarity about your accomplishments and competencies, the prospective employer may ask for a GPA, a list of courses taken, or a breakdown of credits. For assurance of authenticity, they may want the evaluation to be based on original documents sent directly from your university. Requirements can vary between employers, even when the job titles or industries are similar.
In the US public sector, candidates in the US often send their transcripts, diplomas and certificates. Candidates educated abroad are subject to this requirement as well, but credential evaluation is an additional step. Government offices, agencies and even educational institutions at the state, county and municipal levels frequently require credential evaluation for applicants educated abroad, in order to be certain that minimum education requirements are satisfied. For federal employment, the US Office of Personnel Management specifies requirements for recognition of a degree earned at a foreign university. Be sure to read the applicable vacancy announcement and agency instructions.
Professional licensure
Certain professions require a state oversight body to issue a professional or occupational license; these professions may include accounting, cosmetology, nursing and teaching, among others. Requirements for licensure vary from state to state, but it is common for applicants educated abroad to obtain credential evaluations to support licensure applications. Once a license is issued, the individual is permitted to work in that profession in the jurisdiction.
Licensing boards may evaluate education differently from employers. A board may require the evaluator to calculate a GPA, convert credits to the US format, display coursework, or indicate the number of clinical or practical training hours undertaken. The board may even specify a preferred evaluator from which to receive an evaluation. Do not assume that a report accepted for a general job application will satisfy application requirements for the entity responsible for issuing licenses in a regulated profession.
A few questions to ask before ordering an employment-purposed evaluation:
- Where should I get the evaluation? Should it be a specific, preferred evaluator, or would any NACES-member be sufficient?
- Which type of credential evaluation does the prospective employer require: Document Report, Document+GPA report, Course Report or something more specialized?
- Should the evaluation be based on original documentation? And will the original diplomas and transcripts need to be translated into English?
- How should the credential evaluation be delivered?
Having answers to these questions can prevent delays, disruptions and revision orders. It is the responsibility of the individual ordering the evaluation to order the right kind of report, arrange for documents to be sent, and be proactive in the event more is requested. Actively participating in the process saves time and money.
Which Report Type Fits an Employment Application?
Credential evaluation companies have various products and services. The right report type depends on what the recipient needs.
Document Report
A Document Report shows simple information about your education. This includes credential title, year of completion, program duration, admission requirement, the issuing institution (and its accreditation status), and a US equivalency. It’s an appropriate choice when an employer simply needs to know your education’s US equivalency. These reports tend to be brief, so be sure to confirm that the recipient finds this kind of report sufficient.
Document+GPA Report
A Document+GPA report shows all the same information as a Document Report, but it adds a US-formatted grade-point average, or GPA for short. The GPA calculation provides an idea of how successful you were in your program, which employers can view as an indicator of your academic skills, work ethic or degree of prowess in past achievements. A GPA calculation is not automatically required for employment, so request it when the recipient identifies it as useful or necessary. If you feel it will help your application, then it may be the right product for you.
Course Report
A Course Report displays all the same information as a Document Report or Document+GPA Report. However, it also includes each course taken, along with a US grade and number of US credits. It may be appropriate for roles that require demonstrated competency in a particular subject; for example, a prospective teacher at a school can show a future boss all the education-themed courses taken, giving evidence of relevant knowledge and proven success in education-related content.
IEE’s credential evaluation service guide explains the differences between report formats. You can also review the IEE evaluation service options and compare them with the instructions you received.
What are Some Other Things to Compare between Evaluation Providers?
Each evaluation service has its own way of completing evaluations. Be sure to assess your options, including the process of completion. A useful employment evaluation service should explain what it needs from you, what documents it requires, how long it takes to receive the final evaluation, how the final report is delivered, and where you can go for questions.
Turnaround and deadline control
Find out how long it takes to receive an evaluation. IEE has a standard three-business-day turnaround for its evaluation services, subject to compliance with requirements. IEE’s turnaround clock begins when all documents are received. It is the responsibility of the individual who places the order to arrange for transcripts and diplomas to be sent. It is prudent to contact your school’s registrar office to learn how to send official documents. Do this early, as it can take time for universities, third party services or couriers to initiate and complete delivery.
Authentication, Verification and Document Security
Credential evaluators go to great lengths to prevent, detect and report fraud. Each organization has its own standards for vetting, including country-specific or institution-specific screening procedures. In some cases, credential evaluators will identify red flags, forcing the file to go on hold for verification, requests for more documentation or additional research. It is important to be aware of this, and to assist the evaluator whenever contacted. Verification of credential authenticity is a chief reason for delays, so this is yet another reason to start the credential evaluation process well in advance of any deadline that a recruiter, HR department, staffing agent or hiring team places on an applicant.
Support and Delivery
International applicants may be coordinating across different time zones, languages, and institutions. As a start, IEE’s country-specific documentation requirements tool can help applicants identify what is typically necessary for a complete credential evaluation. It is still important to learn the instructions of the employer or licensing board, and to be sure that the credential evaluation fits with these needs. It is also important to find out how the employer or licensing board wishes to receive the evaluation, such as to a specific email address. Be sure to learn this so that your credential evaluator can send it correctly.
Credential evaluation can be confusing, but this is why IEE makes itself available for its customers. The 24/7 customer support works wonders for those with questions or concerns.
Why Consider IEE for an Employment Credential Evaluation?
IEE has been advocating for internationally-educated individuals wishing to apply their education in the US workforce for decades. Its membership in NACES proves its quality and dedication. For job seekers, its employment-based evaluation options are designed to connect the credential to recipients needing context before extending an offer or issuing a license. Whether that recipient is an HR department, recruiter, or licensing authority, the evaluation gives them assurance, protection and peace of mind while deliberating about candidates. Meanwhile, applicants, candidates and job seekers looking for opportunities in the US can be certain that their evaluation is being delivered by an experienced, knowledgeable and efficient evaluator, and that someone is vouching for them as they find their way in a new land.
Employment-focused service options
IEE offers Document Reports, Document+GPA Reports, and Course Reports. This gives applicants the power to choose which report and content they feel will best support their evaluation, along with industry-standard selections easily available to meet the needs of a recipient. As an added bonus, for those attempting to obtain a professional license, IEE has many specific licensure-focused options tailored for those wishing to become nurses, accountants, teachers and more in the US.
Speed for deadline-driven applicants
IEE’s standard evaluations are completed in three business days, so long as all required materials are received. This can be useful when an employer has to hire a candidate quickly. There are expedite options available at an extra cost for individuals, including a Same Day option.
Clarity before submission
In addition to quality and efficiency, IEE prides itself on transparency. IEE is vocal with its customers about documentation requirements, timeline expectations and necessary fees. Use IEE’s documentation requirements page to learn what you need to provide, and browse report types in order to find the best option. You can also contact IEE for advice before ordering.
What Should You Do Before Ordering a Credential Evaluation?
If you need a credential evaluation to assist with your pursuit of job opportunities, use this five-step checklist before submitting payment or documents:
- Identify the recipient. Determine who needs your employment-purposed credential evaluation. It may be an employer, HR department, licensing board, recruiter, or agency.
- Ask for their requirements and preferences. This could include service provider, type of report or guaranteed timing before a deadline.
- Pick the right provider. Browse different credential evaluation services and pick the one that works best for you.
- Prepare all your documents. Check country-specific requirements, follow delivery instructions, and arrange for official documents to be sent.
- Confirm delivery. Make sure the recipient knows how and when the report will arrive.
Start your employment credential evaluation with IEE!
Frequently Asked Questions
The best service is the one that can meet requirements of employers, recruiters or licensing authorities. Job seekers have many US-based credential evaluation agencies to choose from, but the final choice ought to be the right fit for your situation and for those receiving your evaluation.
Some employers, agencies, and licensing boards require or prefer an evaluation from a NACES member, as it gives a sense of credibility and legitimacy. Ask the recipient before ordering. They may even have a specific organization they wish to evaluate your credentials.
A Document Report is a good fit when an employer needs basic information. A Document+GPA Report enhances Document Reports by converting a foreign GPA to US terms. A Course Report may be preferred when the recipient wants specific details about your coursework and academic performance. It is recommended to ask the recipient to determine which type of report is best.
Processing time varies by provider, report type, document completeness, verification protocols, and more. IEE’s evaluations are completed in three business days, but only if all documentation needed to proceed is received.
No. An evaluation explains international education in terms the recipient can comprehend. Ultimately, the employer controls hiring, and the licensing board determines eligibility under its rules. A report can support the review, but as it is advisory and non-binding, it cannot guarantee employment or licensure.