What Is a Credential Evaluation? A Simple Guide

Whether you’re a student, an employer, or part of an educational institution, you need a clear way to understand international qualifications. But a credential evaluation isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. The report you need for a university application is different from one for a professional license. International Education Evaluations offers a wide range of credential evaluation services, each tailored to a specific goal. We want to help you achieve your goals in the United States, one evaluation at a time!

We know that choosing the right type of credential evaluation may be a little overwhelming, so here in this blog we will describe the different types of reports and their purposes so you can easily choose the right one that suits your needs.

What is a Credential Evaluation?

So, what exactly is a credential evaluation? Think of it as a professional translation, but for your education. It’s a service that compares the academic degrees, diplomas, and coursework you completed in another country to the standards used here in the United States. When you apply for a university program, a job, or a professional license, the person reviewing your application needs to understand what your qualifications mean in a U.S. context. A credential evaluation report provides that clarity, showing the U.S. equivalency of the education you worked so hard to achieve. This official assessment is the key to making sure your international experience is properly recognized and valued.

The process itself is quite straightforward. A specialized agency will have you submit your official academic records—like transcripts and degree certificates—for review. It’s always a good idea to check the specific document requirements ahead of time. An expert evaluator then carefully assesses these documents to verify their authenticity and analyze your coursework, grades, and credits. Based on this analysis, they prepare a detailed report that explains how your credentials stack up against U.S. degrees and credits. This report becomes the official document you can submit to schools, employers, or licensing boards. Getting the right evaluation service is a critical step for anyone looking to use their foreign education to build a future in the U.S.

Why Credential Evaluations Matter

Let’s start by taking a look at the different reasons you may require an evaluation, along with the types of reports available for each:

IEE knows that every evaluation is unique and may not be intended for the same purpose. Academic and professional needs may vary, not to mention those for immigration. Now that we know the different reasons for purchasing an evaluation, let’s take a look at each one in turn in order to determine which is best suited for your needs:

The Role of NACES in Credential Evaluation

When you start looking for an evaluation service, you’ll quickly come across the acronym NACES. Understanding what it means is the first step in choosing a provider you can trust. NACES, which stands for the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, is an association of independent, non-governmental organizations in the U.S. that provide credential evaluation services. Think of it as a professional group that sets the gold standard for the industry. Its members are vetted to ensure they meet rigorous standards, which gives you peace of mind that your evaluation will be handled professionally and accurately. This is crucial because your academic and professional future often depends on the quality of your evaluation report.

The primary goal of NACES is to establish and maintain a high level of quality and consistency among its members. This means that when you choose a NACES member, you’re choosing a service that has committed to upholding a strict code of ethics and professional practices. Many U.S. universities, employers, and professional licensing boards specifically require evaluations from a NACES member because they trust the reports to be reliable and thorough. As a proud member of NACES, IEE is committed to these high standards, ensuring every evaluation we provide is recognized and respected across the country.

What is NACES?

So, what exactly is NACES? It’s an association that brings together the top credential evaluation services in the United States. According to NACES, it is “a group of independent, non-government organizations in the US.” Its purpose is to create a unified standard of excellence for evaluating foreign education. Before a company can become a member, it has to go through a detailed application and review process to prove it meets the association’s high standards for research, staff expertise, and evaluation methodology. This ensures that any report from a member agency is based on sound, well-documented research and is prepared by trained professionals who understand the complexities of global education systems.

Why NACES Membership Matters

Choosing a NACES member for your evaluation is more than just a suggestion—it’s often a requirement. NACES membership is a seal of approval that institutions and employers look for. The association “helps make sure its members follow high ethical and professional rules,” which means you can count on a fair and accurate assessment of your academic history. When a university admissions office or a state licensing board receives a report from a NACES member, they know it’s a document they can trust. This credibility can make a significant difference in your application, smoothing the path for your academic or professional journey in the U.S.

How to Choose a Credential Evaluation Service

Once you know to look for a NACES member, the next step is to choose the specific service that’s right for you. While all members are held to high standards, they differ in areas like processing times, document requirements, and customer service. Your personal timeline, budget, and the specific needs of your application will determine which provider is the best fit. For example, if you’re on a tight deadline for a university application or a job offer, speed will be your top priority. If your documents are complex, you might prioritize a service known for its detailed support. It’s worth taking the time to compare a few options before making a final decision.

To make an informed choice, start by visiting the websites of a few different NACES members. Look at their services, turnaround times, and pricing structures. Read through their FAQ sections and see how clear their document requirements are. Some services may specialize in evaluations for certain fields, like nursing or engineering, while others offer a broader range of services. Don’t hesitate to reach out to their customer support teams with any questions. How they respond can tell you a lot about the level of service you can expect throughout the evaluation process.

Comparing Top Evaluation Services

The credential evaluation landscape includes several well-known providers, each with its own reputation and process. Familiarizing yourself with some of the main players can give you a good baseline for comparison. Companies like World Education Services (WES) and Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) have been around for a long time and are widely recognized. However, other services may offer unique advantages, such as faster processing or more personalized support. The key is to find the service that aligns best with your specific needs, whether you’re applying for school, a job, or immigration.

World Education Services (WES)

World Education Services, or WES, is one of the largest and most recognized credential evaluation services. According to their website, “WES helps people who studied outside the U.S. or Canada get their education officially recognized.” They are a popular choice for many applicants due to their wide acceptance by academic institutions. However, their popularity can sometimes lead to longer processing times, and their document requirements are known to be quite strict, which can cause delays if not followed precisely. They are a solid option, but it’s important to weigh their recognition against your personal timeline and needs.

Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)

Educational Credential Evaluators, or ECE, is another highly respected NACES member. ECE states that it “helps people get their foreign education evaluated for use in the U.S. for things like school, jobs, getting a license, and immigration.” Like WES, ECE has a long-standing reputation for producing reliable and thorough reports. They are known for their detailed evaluations and are widely accepted by universities and professional boards across the country. When considering ECE, be sure to check their current processing times and document submission guidelines to ensure they align with your application deadlines.

Comparative Education Service (CES)

If your goal is to move to Canada, the Comparative Education Service (CES) at the University of Toronto is a key player to know. CES is one of the designated organizations for evaluating credentials for Canadian immigration. As one source notes, “CES is accepted for Canada permanent residency and university applications.” While IEE also provides a Canadian Assessment service, it’s helpful to know the different providers recognized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Choosing the right service is essential for a smooth immigration or academic application process in Canada.

Key Factors to Consider

When you’re comparing services, a few key factors should be at the top of your list: how quickly you can get your report, what documents you’ll need to provide, and the reliability of the final evaluation. These elements can vary significantly from one provider to another and can have a major impact on your experience. A delay in processing could mean missing a critical deadline, while confusing document requirements can add unnecessary stress. Taking a moment to assess each of these factors will help you choose a service that makes the process as smooth as possible.

Processing Times

Turnaround time is often one of the most critical factors for applicants. Some services can take several weeks to complete an evaluation. For instance, “WES usually processes reports faster, often within 7-30 business days,” but that can still feel like a long time when a deadline is approaching. This is where IEE stands out. We offer an industry-leading 3-day turnaround for our evaluation service, because we understand that your opportunities can’t always wait. If speed is your priority, make sure to compare the standard and expedited processing times offered by each service you’re considering.

Document Requirements

The documents you need to submit are the foundation of your evaluation, and each service has its own set of rules. Some providers have very rigid requirements. For example, “WES has strict rules for documents, requiring sealed transcripts sent directly from your university.” This can be a major hurdle for applicants who have difficulty obtaining official documents from their former institutions. Before committing to a service, carefully review their document requirements. At IEE, we aim for clarity and provide straightforward guidelines to help you gather what you need without unnecessary complications.

Evaluation Outcomes

Ultimately, the goal is to receive an accurate and fair evaluation that will be accepted by your target institution or employer. As one expert puts it, “Choosing the right credential evaluator is very important for people applying for education, jobs, or permanent residency in other countries.” A report from a reputable NACES member ensures that your hard-earned education is properly understood and valued in the U.S. context. This is why selecting a trusted partner is so important—it directly impacts the outcome of your applications and your ability to pursue your goals.

Understanding the Costs of Credential Evaluation

Cost is another important factor in your decision. The price of a credential evaluation can vary widely depending on the type of report you need and the provider you choose. It’s more than just a single fee; the total cost can include the evaluation itself, plus any additional services like translations, extra copies, or rush processing. To avoid any surprises, it’s best to look for a service with a transparent pricing structure. A clear breakdown of fees will help you budget accurately and understand exactly what you’re paying for, ensuring you get the right report for your needs without overspending.

When you’re comparing prices, make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. A lower base price might seem appealing, but it could come with hidden fees for services that are standard elsewhere. For example, some services charge extra for digital delivery or for storing your report for future use. At IEE, we believe in transparent pricing. We clearly list the costs for each type of report and any additional services, so you can make an informed decision that fits your budget and your goals for education, employment, or immigration.

Types of Evaluation Reports and Costs

The main factor determining the cost of your evaluation is the type of report you need. A simple Document-by-Document evaluation, which identifies your credentials and their U.S. equivalent, is generally the most affordable option. A more detailed Course-by-Course evaluation, which lists all your courses, grades, and credits, will cost more due to the additional analysis required. The right report depends on your purpose. For example, applying for employment might only require a Document-by-Document report, while applying to a graduate program will almost certainly require a Course-by-Course analysis.

Additional Service Fees

Beyond the base cost of the report, be mindful of additional fees that may apply. One of the most common is for translation services. If your academic documents are not in English, you will need to have them translated by a certified professional. As an example of what to expect, “If your documents are not in English, IEE can translate them for $60 per page.” Other potential fees include charges for rush service, sending official copies to multiple institutions, or retrieving your report from archives years later. Always check the full fee schedule before you begin the process.

Education and Employment Credential Evaluations

Education evaluations determine the academic equivalency of credentials for high school and university admissions, in order to determine academic eligibility and/or transfer credit. IEE supports you in achieving your academic goals! 

In contrast to evaluations for education, IEE’s employment evaluations assess academic credentials for the purposes of applying to job opportunities in the US and ensuring compliance with employer requirements.

For evaluations for either education or employment purposes, IEE offers 4 different types of reports:

Understanding IEE’s Benchmarking and Year-Counting Methodologies

At IEE, we also offer credential evaluations utilizing a credential evaluation methodology called benchmarking, used exclusively for the Education and Employment reports. This methodology is known for focusing on the next level of education the degree grants access to, and generally speaking, if a certain credential is sufficient to move on to the next level of study in the home country, IEE may be able to consider the credential as equivalent in the United States. For more information, we recommend our white paper, “Benchmarking and Year-Counting Defined.”

An example of the benchmarking methodology would be when evaluating a 3-year degree from India, which normally would not be equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree given the number of years studied; however, we have investigated the topic thoroughly and concluded that because a 3-year degree is sufficient for admission to a graduate-level program in India, the same can be considered as equivalent to a bachelor’s degree here in the US.  Not all 3-year degree programs would be eligible for an evaluation using this methodology, as IEE considers a range of other factors as well, but IEE’s evaluators are trained to look out for those conditions that may allow us to provide a benchmarked evaluation wherever possible.

IEE also employs other evaluation methodologies as necessary, such as year-counting, and it prioritizes the number of years required to complete a given degree. This is arguably the most common methodology and is required for licensure reports, immigration reports, and military reports. 

It is important to mention that when applying for a credential evaluation at IEE, some institutions may not accept reports evaluated using the benchmarking methodology and before applying to an institution we suggest checking with the institution to confirm if they accept benchmarked evaluations.

Nursing Credential Evaluations

IEE services have designed specific credential evaluations for nursing professionals seeking to practice in the United States. These nursing reports provide a comprehensive assessment of international nursing credentials as well as the instructional and clinical hours required by the various Boards of Nursing in the United States:

Nursing reports differ from standard licensure reports in that the nursing report is tailored to have more detailed information on the theory and clinical hours from their nursing internships and science curriculum. Coursework is not included as it is for standard licensure reports.

For more information on our nursing products and the process of application, you can download our Nursing Handbook here.

You can also apply for our nursing reports by visiting https://myiee.org/nursing.

Specialized Evaluations for Healthcare Professionals

If you’re a healthcare professional aiming to practice in the United States, you know the path to licensure is highly specific. Each state’s licensing board has its own rigorous standards, especially in fields like nursing, which is why a standard academic evaluation often falls short. Boards need a detailed breakdown of your training to ensure it aligns with U.S. requirements for patient care. It’s not just about proving you have a degree; it’s about showing that your hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge meet the exact criteria for the state where you plan to work.

This is where specialized reports come into play. For example, our evaluations for nursing professionals are designed to provide the granular detail that Boards of Nursing require. Unlike a general report, a nursing evaluation breaks down the specific theory and clinical hours from your internships and science curriculum. This comprehensive assessment helps boards verify that your international credentials and training are sufficient for licensure. We focus on providing the exact information they need, which can make your application process much more straightforward.

Military Credential Evaluations

IEE services also include military credential evaluations to help you through the process of enlisting in the United States military. IEE works with numerous recruiters in the US Army, Marines, Air Force and Navy.

The available report types are:

As mentioned earlier, for the purpose of military evaluation reports, the US military exclusively uses the Year-Count methodology as the standard approach for credential evaluations, due to certain federal regulations and guidelines. Therefore, we are unable to apply a benchmarking methodology for this purpose of evaluation. 

Professional Licensure Credential Evaluations

Many professional occupations in the United States require licensure in the state in which they are practicing or are planning to practice. IEE provides evaluations for a variety of state licensure boards including teaching, nursing and accounting:

Immigration Credential Evaluations

If you’re looking to immigrate to the United States, IEE offers immigration reports just for you, in order to help you demonstrate your qualifications and eligibility for visas, residency or citizenship. We recommend considering our immigration document reports that are based on those recommendations made by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers in their Electronic Database for Global Education (AACRAO EDGE), an online database that provides detail information on educational systems worldwide, including various resources that helps assess credential evaluations. This database is often employed by United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Customs and Border Protection (CPD) when reviewing the applications and IEE aligns its immigration reports with these recommendations in order to increase the chances of approval for our clients. AACRAO EDGE is also employed as one of many resources used when evaluating credentials for other purposes. 

As for military reports, for the purpose of immigration evaluation reports, USCIS exclusively requires the year-counting methodology as the standard approach for credential evaluations. Therefore, we are unable to apply a benchmarking methodology.

Canadian Credential Assessments

In addition to reports intended for use in the United States, IEE offers credential evaluation services for individuals looking to study, work or immigrate to Canada as well. Clients can use their Canadian Assessment to apply for undergraduate, transfer and graduate studies in all provinces of Canada.

While there are some differences in the requirements for Canadian evaluations, much of the report will be structured in the same was as those for use in the United States.

H2: Start Your Credential Evaluation with IEE

And remember, whether you’re pursuing education, employment or immigration in the United States or Canada, IEE credential evaluations can help you achieve your goals. 

Contact IEE and apply for your credential evaluation today!

IRCC-Approved Agencies for Immigration

When you’re applying to immigrate to Canada, it’s crucial to know that you must use a specific set of organizations for your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has a list of designated agencies, such as World Education Services (WES), authorized to provide ECAs for this purpose, ensuring every evaluation meets a consistent standard. While IEE provides excellent Canadian assessments for academic and employment purposes, you’ll need to work with one of the IRCC-approved providers for immigration-specific applications to Canada. This is why understanding the purpose of your evaluation is so important. For those seeking to move to the United States, we offer specialized immigration reports tailored to meet the requirements of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). As a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), we are committed to the highest professional standards, ensuring your evaluation is prepared with the expertise needed to support your goals in the U.S.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which type of evaluation report is right for me? The best report depends entirely on your goal. For many employment applications, a Document Report that confirms your degree and its U.S. equivalency is sufficient. However, if you are applying to a university, seeking transfer credits, or pursuing a professional license, you will likely need a Course-by-Course Analysis. This report provides a detailed breakdown of your subjects, grades, and credits. Your best first step is to check the specific requirements of the institution or board you are applying to.

What is the main difference between a Document Report and a Course-by-Course Analysis? Think of a Document Report as a summary. It verifies your credentials and provides the overall U.S. equivalent. A Course-by-Course Analysis is a much more detailed breakdown. It lists every course you took, converts your grades to the U.S. scale, calculates credits, and provides a final GPA. This level of detail is essential for academic admissions offices or licensing boards that need to assess your specific coursework.

What is “benchmarking” and will my school accept it? Benchmarking is an evaluation method that considers what your degree qualifies you for in your home country. For instance, if a three-year degree from your country allows you to enter a master’s program there, we may determine it is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree. Because some U.S. institutions have specific requirements, we always recommend you contact your target school’s admissions office to confirm they accept benchmarked evaluations before you order.

How long will my evaluation take if I have a deadline? We understand that application deadlines are stressful, which is why we built our service around speed. Once we receive all of your required documents, our standard processing time is just three business days. This industry-leading turnaround is included with our service, so you can get your report quickly without needing to pay extra for an expedited option.

What should I do if my academic documents are not in English? This is a common situation, and we have a straightforward solution. Your documents must be in English for the evaluation, so we offer a professional translation service to handle that for you. You can easily add this service to your order, and our team will translate your documents accurately, ensuring the entire process is smooth and simple.

Key Takeaways

• Match the Report to Your Goal: The evaluation you need for a university application is different from one for a professional license or immigration. Always start by identifying your specific objective to ensure you choose the correct type of report.
• Insist on NACES Membership: U.S. universities, employers, and licensing boards rely on evaluations from NACES members. Choosing a NACES-affiliated service guarantees your report will meet high professional standards and be widely accepted.
• Compare Services on Key Factors: Once you’ve narrowed your options to NACES members, compare them based on practical details like processing speed, document requirements, and transparent pricing to find the best fit for your timeline and budget.

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