Credential Assessment
See how your international degree translates in Canada, which assessment body to use, and whether your profession requires licensing.
Check Your Canadian Equivalency
Answer 3 questions to get a personalized assessment guide with costs, timelines, and next steps.
Understanding Credential Recognition in Canada
There are two distinct processes — knowing the difference saves time and money
Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
For immigration and general employment
- Compares your degree to a Canadian equivalent
- Required for Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker)
- Costs $200-$350 CAD, takes 3-18 weeks
- Valid for 5 years for immigration purposes
- Accepted by employers as proof of education level
- Does NOT authorize you to practise a regulated profession
Who needs this: Everyone applying through Express Entry, most Provincial Nominee Programs, and newcomers who want employers to understand their education level.
Professional Licensing
For practising a regulated profession
- Authorizes you to use a professional title and practise
- Managed by profession-specific regulatory bodies
- Often requires exams, supervised practice, and bridging courses
- Costs range from $500 to $25,000+ depending on profession
- Timeline: 6 months to 5+ years
- Separate from and in addition to your ECA
Who needs this: Anyone wanting to work as a doctor, nurse, engineer, lawyer, accountant, teacher, pharmacist, architect, dentist, or other regulated professional in Canada.
Regulated vs Non-Regulated Professions
About 20% of Canadian jobs are in regulated professions. Here is what that means for you.
Regulated Professions
Professions where you must hold a license or certificate to use a professional title or perform specific tasks. Working without a license is illegal.
- Controlled by provincial regulatory bodies
- Require specific education, exams, and often supervised experience
- Examples: doctors, nurses, engineers, lawyers, teachers, pharmacists, accountants (CPA), architects, dentists
- Licensing requirements may vary between provinces
Non-Regulated Professions
Professions where no specific license is required to work. Employers set their own hiring standards based on education and experience.
- No mandatory licensing or certification needed
- Employers decide what qualifications they accept
- Examples: software developers, business analysts, marketing managers, graphic designers, writers, project managers
- An ECA can still help employers understand your credentials
How Credential Assessment Works
A step-by-step overview of the assessment process
Gather Documents
Collect transcripts, diplomas, translations, and ID. Request official copies from your institution early.
Choose Assessment Body
Select the right organization based on your province and purpose (immigration, employment, or licensing).
Submit Application
Apply online, pay the fee, and arrange for your institution to send documents directly.
Wait for Assessment
Processing takes 3-18 weeks depending on organization. WES is fastest at about 20 business days.
Receive Report
Get your Canadian equivalency report by email or mail. Valid for 5 years for Express Entry.
Next Steps
Use your report for Express Entry, PNP applications, employment, or as a starting point for professional licensing.
Is Your Profession Regulated?
Search below to check if your profession requires licensing in Canada. About 70 professions are regulated.
Province-Specific Notes
Key differences in credential recognition across provinces
Quebec
Has its own immigration system (CAQ/CSQ). Professional orders (ordres professionnels) regulate professions. MIFI handles credential comparison for immigration. French language proficiency is typically required.
Ontario
Largest number of regulated professions. Ontario Fairness Commissioner oversees licensing processes. Many bridging programs available. Largest job market with diverse opportunities.
British Columbia
BCIT ICES is a popular local assessment option. BC's International Qualifications Program helps with credential recognition. Strong tech sector with many non-regulated roles.
Alberta
IQAS is the provincially operated assessment service and is preferred for Alberta immigration programs (AINP). Growing demand in healthcare, engineering, and trades.
Manitoba
Manitoba Start helps newcomers with credential recognition and employment. Fairness Commissioner oversees regulated professions. Growing need for healthcare professionals.
Saskatchewan
SINP (Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program) has specific credential requirements. Strong demand in healthcare, agriculture, and skilled trades.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia has programs specifically targeting healthcare workers. The province offers some of the fastest immigration pathways for in-demand occupations.
New Brunswick
Bilingual province (English and French). Credential recognition follows federal guidelines. Growing demand in healthcare and IT sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about credential assessment in Canada.
Processing times vary: WES takes about 20 business days, IQAS can take 12-16 weeks, and others fall in between. Plan ahead and apply early. Document gathering (requesting official transcripts from your institution) often takes longer than the assessment itself.
WES is the most widely recognized and fastest option. If you are in Alberta, IQAS is preferred for provincial programs. For BC, consider BCIT ICES. For Express Entry, any IRCC-designated organization works. The results are generally equivalent across organizations.
General assessments (ECA for immigration) cost $200-$350 CAD. Professional licensing for regulated professions like medicine can cost $10,000 or more including exams, residency applications, and licensing fees. See the cost comparison section for a detailed breakdown.
Yes, if your documents are not in English or French, you need certified translations by a CTTIC-member translator. Some assessment bodies accept notarized translations. Budget $100-$300 per document for translation.
About 20% of jobs in Canada are regulated (roughly 70 professions). Use the regulated profession search tool on this page to check. Regulated means you need a specific license to use a professional title or perform certain tasks.
Yes. Credential assessment is separate from work authorization. You can work in non-regulated fields while awaiting your assessment. For regulated professions, you may be able to work in a related but unregulated role, or under supervision in some provinces.
An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) compares your degree to a Canadian equivalent for immigration points. Professional licensing is a separate, often longer process required to actually practise a regulated profession in Canada. You may need both.
Yes. Quebec has its own immigration system and may require assessment through the Ministere de l'Immigration (MIFI). Professional orders (ordres professionnels) handle regulated profession licensing separately. French language requirements also apply.
You may receive partial equivalency. Bridging programs at Canadian colleges and universities can help fill gaps. Many provinces offer funded bridging programs for newcomers. You can also gain Canadian work experience to strengthen your profile.
Yes. For Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker program), you must get an ECA from a designated organization. The report is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. Canadian degrees do not need an ECA.
Yes, most organizations have an appeal or review process. You can also apply to a different assessment body for a second opinion. Results may vary slightly between organizations, but major discrepancies are rare.
Contact your university's registrar office and request official transcripts be sent directly to the assessment body. Some countries use WES Gateway partners (like in India and China) to streamline this process. Allow 4-8 weeks for international document delivery.
Your Credentials Have Value
85% of internationally assessed credentials receive Canadian recognition. Thousands of newcomers successfully transition into their professions every year — and you can too.
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