Your educational credentials must be assessed if you wish to continue your career trajectory in Canada. Thoroughly research your industry’s professional licensing or certification requirements to determine what steps you need to take.

Many professions and skilled trades are regulated to protect the safety and health of Canadians by ensuring professionals and tradespeople meet the standards of competency required for their jobs.

Use this information to determine your steps to become licensed or accredited in Canada. The Government of Canada website provides an overview of these steps.

Understanding Educational Credential Assessment

The Educational Credential Assessment (ECA )is a process conducted by designated organizations in Canada to evaluate degrees and diplomas obtained outside of the country. The purpose of the ECA is to provide an official report that indicates the Canadian equivalency of the applicant's previous education. This report is crucial for employers, educational institutions, immigration officials, and community agencies to understand and assess education completed outside Canada.

Process

To initiate the ECA process, you are required to submit supporting documents. These typically include academic records such as transcripts and diplomas, government-issued identification, and translated versions of documents not originally in English or French.

Once you have submitted your documents, the organization you selected will review your submitted documents to ensure their authenticity and completeness. This may involve verifying the documents directly with the issuing institutions.

The organization will then evaluate your educational credentials based on Canadian standards and compare them to equivalent Canadian qualifications. This process involves assessing the level of education, program duration, content, and other relevant factors.

When the evaluation is complete, the organization will issue an assessment report outlining the Canadian equivalency of the educational credentials. The report may specify the level of education, degree equivalency, and field of study.

The assessment report can be used for various purposes, such as immigration applications, employment, professional licensing, or further education in Canada. It provides an understanding of how foreign credentials compare to Canadian standards.

Cost

The cost of an ECA is estimated to be around $200, with additional expenses for the delivery of the report. Exact fees vary depending on the designated organization chosen for the assessment.

Document Translation

To get education documents translated into English before submitting them to an official education credential service in Canada, follow these steps:

1. Find a Certified Translator: Look for a certified translator specializing in translating educational documents. Ensure the translator is accredited or recognized by a reputable organization or professional association.

2. Request Translation Services: Contact the certified translator and provide them with the details of your education documents, such as transcripts, diplomas, or certificates. Inquire about their process, timeline, and fees for translation services.

3. Submit Original Documents: Provide the certified translator with the original copies of your education documents. They will use these as references to translate the content into English accurately.

4. Receive Translated Documents: Once the translation is complete, the certified translator will provide you with the translated documents. These will include an official certification or statement attesting to the accuracy of the translation.

5. Review and Verify: Carefully review the translated documents to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the translation. Verify that all the information has been appropriately and accurately translated into English.

6. Submit to Education Credential Service: Include the translated and original documents when submitting your application to Canada's official education credential service. Follow the instructions provided by the credential service regarding document submission.

   
   

Document Translation Cost

The cost of translation services for education credentials can vary depending on several factors, such as the language pair (source language and target language), the complexity of the documents, the number of pages, the translation's urgency, and the translation provider's specific requirements.

In general, translation services for education credentials can range from approximately $20 to $50 per page. However, it's important to note that these rates are approximate and can vary significantly based on individual translators or translation agencies.

Some translators may charge per word instead of per page, typically from $0.10 to $0.30 per word. Remember that translation costs may include additional certification or notarization fees if required.

Document Translation Timeline

The timeline for getting education credentials translated into English can vary depending the documents' complexity and volume, the translators’ availability, and requirements or urgency.

The process can take a few days to a couple of weeks for a standard translation of education credentials. This timeframe includes the time it takes to find a certified translator, submit the documents for translation, and receive the translated documents.

Timeline

The time it takes to complete an ECA can vary depending on the organization responsible for the assessment and the volume of applications they receive, as well as the complexity of your educational credentials being assessed, or the need for additional information or verification. Generally, the process takes several weeks to a few months.

Information for Certain Professions

Physicians (including family and specialist physicians) who intend to get a license to practice in Canada must have their qualifications assessed by the Medical Council of Canada.

Pharmacists who intend to get a license to practice in Canada must have their qualifications assessed by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada.

Regulated Professions: In Alberta, over 70 professions have specific regulatory bodies. In addition to an ECA, these professions may require an assessment from the appropriate regulatory organization. Information specific to professions can be found on the Alberta ALIS web page.  Information about specific Professional Regulatory Organizations and licensing processes can also be found on the Alberta Foreign Qualification Recognition web page.

Resources for Navigating Licensure and the ECA Process

• IQAS International Education Guides

  These guides explain how international education credentials compare to Alberta education credentials and standards. There are guides for Brazil, Cameroon, China, Colombia, the Former USSR, France, India, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Syria, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Each guide includes a country overview, historical education, school education system, higher education system, professional/technical/vocational education, teacher education, grading scales, documentation for educational credentials, IQAS’ suggested educational credentials, and a bibliography.

  
  

• Bredin Centre for Career Advancement

  This centre aims to prepare Albertans for economic independence by offering services and pathways to education and employment. The BredinWorks program supports international education professionals in navigating licensure and credentialing and finding jobs that uses education and experience.

  
  

• The following video contains advice about saving for (and saving throughout) the ECA process: