Assessment of education

What you can do

For immigration purposes:

Starting in May 2013, all people applying under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) must get an educational credential assessment (ECA) of their completed foreign educational credentials. This is a different process than qualifying to work in a particular occupation in Canada.

For academic information:

If you want to continue your studies in Canada there are more than 200 accredited post-secondary institutions that assess educational credentials for academic placement at their schools.

If you want to find out how your academic credentials compare to an educational program in Canada you may have your education assessed through one of these assessment agencies in Canada. They will compare your academic credentials with similar ones in Canada’s post-secondary educational system. Assessments done by assessment agencies help employers, post-secondary institutions, and professional bodies understand your academic background. They do not guarantee recognition of your qualifications for employment or certification/licensing purposes in Canada or further study in a Canadian post secondary institution. These agencies charge a fee for their services.

  • Contact the post-secondary institution you want to attend in Canada to find out what kind of assessment they require and accept.
  • Contact the assessment agency recommended by the school you want to attend, if required.

For work purposes:

  • If you want to work in a regulated occupation or trade, contact the appropriate regulatory body to see if you need to have this kind of assessment done and which assessment agency you should use.
  • If you do not need to have your credentials assessed as part of the licensing process, consider having an assessment done anyway by an approved assessment agency.  This assessment can be useful for employers to help them understand your qualifications.

Find out more about how to get your credentials recognized for academic purposes.

For additional information, go to the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials. It assists professionals, employers and organizations with foreign credential recognition and the assessment of diplomas and qualifications in Canada.