Educational credential assessment: How to get one

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• Who can do your assessment:
  • Designated organizations
  • Designated professional bodies (for physicians and pharmacists)

Who can do your assessment

You must get your assessment from an organization or a professional body designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. They will give you a report that tells you what your education is equal to in Canada.

Processing times and costs may vary by organization or professional body.

Once you choose a designated organization or a professional body, they will tell you how to submit your documents to get your assessment. 

Designated organizations

You must use one of these designated organizations:

• Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies 
  • designated: April 17, 2013
• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada 
  • designated: April 17, 2013
• World Education Services 
  • designated: April 17, 2013
• International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
  • IQAS will not offer ECA services between November 19, 2019 and May 19, 2020. During this time, please use one of the other organizations listed.
  • IRCC continues to accept ECAs issued by IQAS
• International Credential Evaluation Service 
  • designated: August 6, 2015

Choosing a designated organization based on your occupation

If you plan to work for a large employer or in a regulated occupation, you may need to have your assessment done by a specific designated organization. Check with your employer or the regulatory body for your occupation for more information.

Designated professional bodies

Physicians (NOC 3111 or NOC 3112)

If your primary occupation is specialist physician (NOC 3111) or general practitioner/family physician (NOC 3112), the Medical Council of Canada must do an ECA for your primary medical diploma.

• Medical Council of Canada (professional body for doctors)
  • designated: April 17, 2013

If you have a different primary occupation, another designated organization can do your assessment.

Pharmacists (NOC 3131)

If you need a license to practice, the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada must do your assessment.

• Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (professional body for pharmacists)
  • designated: January 6, 2014

For example, you would need a license if you were caring for patients in a:

• community pharmacy
• hospital pharmacy
• long-term care facility
• other practice settings

If you’re in a position where you don’t need a license, one of the other designated organizations can assess your credentials. For example, you may not need a license to work in the pharmaceutical industry or in a government job where you need a pharmacy degree for the job, but don’t need a license to practice pharmacy.

Contact the regulatory body in the province where you plan to live to find out if you need a licence to practice your intended occupation.