If you earned your degree outside the United States, chances are you will need both a certified translation and a credential evaluation before a university, employer, licensing board, or immigration agency will accept your academic records. These two services work together to make your international education fully understood in the U.S., but many applicants are unsure which one they actually need, or whether they need both at the same time.
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This guide breaks down the difference between certified translation and credential evaluation, explains the specific situations where you need both, lists the documents that commonly require translation, and walks you through how International Education Evaluations (IEE) handles the entire process under one roof.
What Is a Certified Translation?
A certified translation is a word-for-word translation of an official document from its original language into English, accompanied by a signed statement from the translator or translation agency attesting to the accuracy and completeness of the translation. U.S. institutions, government agencies, and licensing boards require certified translations because they need assurance that the English version faithfully represents the original document.
Certified translations are not the same as informal or machine translations. A certified translation must be performed by a qualified human translator who signs a certificate of accuracy. This certificate typically states that the translation is a true and complete rendering of the original and that the translator is competent to perform the translation.
Common documents that require certified translation include:
- Diplomas and degree certificates
- Academic transcripts and mark sheets
- Course descriptions and syllabi
- Professional licenses and certifications
- Birth certificates and identity documents
- Letters of recommendation from academic institutions
IEE offers certified translation services in more than 50 languages, ensuring your documents meet the standards required by U.S. institutions.
What Is a Credential Evaluation?
A credential evaluation is a professional assessment that compares your foreign academic credentials to their U.S. equivalents. An evaluator reviews your diplomas, transcripts, and other academic records to determine how your education measures up against American standards. The resulting evaluation report provides universities, employers, and government agencies with a recommendation of the closest comparable equivalency in the United States.
There are two main types of credential evaluation:
- Document evaluation: Provides a summary of your credentials, identifying each degree or diploma and its U.S. equivalent. This is often sufficient for employment and immigration purposes.
- Course-by-course evaluation: Offers a detailed breakdown of every course you completed, including grades, credit hours, and a calculated U.S. GPA. Most universities and licensing boards require this level of detail.
IEE provides both types through its evaluation services, with standard turnaround times of just 3 business days, which is significantly faster than most competitors in the industry.
When Do You Need Both Certified Translation and Credential Evaluation?
The short answer: whenever your academic documents are not in English. A credential evaluator cannot assess documents they cannot read. If your transcripts, diplomas, or other academic records were issued in a language other than English, you will need certified translations before the evaluation can proceed.
Here are the most common situations where applicants need both services:
University Admissions
U.S. colleges and universities require credential evaluations as part of international student applications. If your academic records are in another language, the admissions office will need certified English translations alongside the evaluation report. Whether you are applying for an undergraduate program, a graduate degree, or transferring credits, both documents are typically required. Learn more about IEE’s higher education evaluation services.
Immigration Applications
USCIS and other immigration agencies frequently require credential evaluations for visa categories such as H-1B, EB-2, and EB-3. If your supporting academic documents are not in English, you must provide certified translations along with your evaluation report. Missing either document can result in a Request for Evidence (RFE) or outright denial of your application. IEE’s immigration evaluation services are accepted by USCIS and include support for expert opinion letters when needed.
Professional Licensing
State licensing boards for professions such as nursing, teaching, engineering, and accounting require credential evaluations to verify that your foreign education meets U.S. standards. If your original academic records are not in English, the licensing board will also require certified translations. This is especially important for internationally educated nurses who must meet state-specific board requirements.
Employment Verification
Many U.S. employers request credential evaluations to confirm that a candidate’s foreign degree is equivalent to a specific U.S. qualification. When the original documents are in another language, employers or their HR departments will need certified translations to accompany the evaluation. See how IEE supports employment-related evaluations.
Which Documents Typically Require Translation Before Evaluation?
Not every document in your application will need translation. Here is a breakdown of the most commonly translated documents and when translation is necessary:
| Document Type | Translation Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Degree certificate or diploma | Yes, if not in English | Required for all evaluation types |
| Academic transcripts, mark sheets or grade reports | Yes, if not in English | Essential for course-by-course evaluations |
| Course descriptions or syllabi | Sometimes | Required by some licensing boards and graduate programs |
| Letters of completion | Yes, if not in English | Used when official diplomas have not been issued yet |
Check the full list of required documents on IEE’s website to confirm exactly what you need based on your country and evaluation type.
How IEE Simplifies the Process With Combined Services
One of the biggest advantages of working with IEE is that you can get both your certified translation and credential evaluation from a single provider. This eliminates the hassle of coordinating between separate translation and evaluation companies, reduces the chance of errors or mismatched documents, and speeds up the overall timeline.
Here is how the combined process works:
- Submit your documents: Upload your original academic records through IEE’s secure online portal. If your documents are not in English, indicate that you need translation services as part of your application.
- Translation is completed first: IEE’s team of professional translators creates certified English translations of each document. Every translation is reviewed for accuracy by a second translator before it is finalized.
- Evaluation proceeds immediately: Once the translations are complete, the evaluation team reviews your credentials and prepares your evaluation report. Because translation and evaluation happen within the same organization, there is no gap or delay between the two steps.
- Receive your completed report: Your evaluation report, along with your certified translations, is delivered electronically and by mail. Standard processing takes just 3 business days after all documents are received.
This streamlined process is especially valuable for applicants on tight deadlines, such as students facing university application cutoffs or professionals responding to job offers with time-sensitive start dates.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants frequently run into problems when they do not understand the relationship between translation and evaluation. Here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:
- Submitting uncertified translations: A translation done by a friend, family member, or free online tool will not be accepted. It must be a certified translation with a signed accuracy statement.
- Assuming evaluation includes translation: Credential evaluation and translation are separate services. If your documents are not in English, you need to request translation in addition to your evaluation.
- Using different providers for translation and evaluation: While this is possible, it often introduces delays and compatibility issues. If the evaluation agency is not familiar with the translation format, they may request additional documentation.
- Waiting until the last minute: Translation and evaluation each take time. If you need both, plan ahead. IEE’s 3-day standard turnaround helps, but submitting early gives you a buffer for any unexpected issues.
- Sending partial documents: Make sure you send all required academic records, not just your diploma. Transcripts, mark sheets, and supplementary documents may all need translation and evaluation.
Ready to get started? Apply for your certified translation and credential evaluation with IEE now.
Why Choose IEE for Translation and Credential Evaluation?
International Education Evaluations has been helping applicants navigate the credential evaluation process since 1981. As a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), IEE’s reports are widely accepted by universities, employers, licensing boards, and USCIS across the United States.
Key reasons applicants choose IEE:
- One provider for both services: Get your certified translation and credential evaluation from a single trusted source, saving time and reducing the risk of errors.
- 3-day standard turnaround: IEE delivers results faster than most competitors, with expedited options available when you need next-day or same-day processing.
- NACES member: IEE’s evaluations carry the credibility of NACES membership, which is recognized by institutions and agencies nationwide.
- 50+ languages supported: No matter where you studied, IEE can translate your documents into English with certified accuracy.
- 24/7 customer support: IEE offers around-the-clock support via chat, phone, and email, so you can get help whenever you need it.
- Transparent pricing: Evaluation reports start at $95, and all pricing is listed clearly on the website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I always need a certified translation for credential evaluation?
You need a certified translation only if your academic documents are not in English. If your transcripts and diplomas were issued by the awarding institution already in English, you can proceed directly with the credential evaluation. If any documents are in another language, certified English translations are required before the evaluation can be completed.
Can I get translation and evaluation from the same provider?
Yes. IEE offers both certified translation and credential evaluation services, which means you can submit your documents once and receive both services without coordinating between separate companies. This approach is faster and reduces the chance of errors.
How long does it take to get both translation and evaluation?
IEE’s standard turnaround is 3 business days for evaluation after all required documents, including translations, are received. If you need both translation and evaluation, the total timeline depends on the volume and complexity of your documents. Expedited processing options are also available for urgent deadlines.
What languages does IEE translate?
IEE provides certified translation services in more than 50 languages, covering the vast majority of countries and education systems worldwide.
Is a certified translation the same as a notarized translation?
No. A certified translation includes a signed statement from the translator or agency attesting to the accuracy of the translation. A notarized translation adds a notary public’s seal, which verifies the identity of the signer but does not vouch for translation quality. Most U.S. institutions accept certified translations without notarization, but check with your specific recipient to confirm their requirements.
Will USCIS accept IEE’s translations and evaluations?
Yes. IEE is a NACES member, and its evaluation reports are accepted by USCIS for immigration applications including H-1B, EB-2, EB-3, and other visa categories. IEE’s certified translations also meet USCIS requirements for supporting documentation.
Take the Next Step
If you studied outside the United States and your academic records are not in English, you almost certainly need both a certified translation and a credential evaluation. Getting both from a single provider like IEE saves you time, reduces the chance of errors, and ensures your documents are processed quickly and accurately.
Whether you are applying to a university, pursuing professional licensure, seeking employment, or navigating the immigration process, IEE has the expertise and speed to help you move forward with confidence. With 44+ years of experience, NACES membership, and 3-day standard turnaround, IEE makes the process straightforward.
Start your certified translation and credential evaluation with IEE today.