Get your education assessed
An educational credential assessment (ECA) is used to prove that your foreign degree, diploma or certificate is valid.
Who can assess your credential
You need to use one of these designated organizations to get an assessment for immigration:
- Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
- International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
- World Education Services
- International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
- International Credential Evaluation Service
Regulated jobs that need a special assessment
Professional bodies regulate certain jobs and industries in Canada.
It’s your responsibility to determine if your job is regulated in Canada.
If you want to work in one of these jobs and have credentials from another country, you need their assessment before you can work:
Architects (NOC 21200)
If you need a licence to practise, you must provide an assessment from the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) (professional body for architects designated on May 20, 2024) if
- your primary occupation is architect (NOC code 21200)
- you need a license to practise
For example, you would need a license if you are
- using the architect title
- responsible for the design and construction of homes or buildings
If you don’t need a license in your position, one of the other designated organizations can assess your credentials. For example, you may not need a license to work as a project manager at a construction firm.
Note: If your primary occupation is Architect (NOC 21200), and you already have an ECA that was issued by another designated organization before October 31, 2024, we will still accept it if it is valid.
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.
Doctors (NOC 31100, NOC 31101 or NOC 31102)
If your primary occupation is as a specialist in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100), a specialist in surgery (NOC 31101) or general practitioner/family physician (NOC 31102), you must provide an assessment from the Medical Council of Canada (professional body for doctors) for your primary medical diploma.
If you have a different primary occupation, another designated organization can provide your assessment.
Pharmacists (NOC 31120)
If you need a licence to practise, you must provide your assessment from the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (professional body for pharmacists).
For example, you would need a licence if you were caring for patients in a
- community pharmacy
- hospital pharmacy
- long-term care facility
- other practice settings
If you don’t need a licence, one of the other designated organizations can assess your credentials. For example, you may not need a licence 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 licence to practise pharmacy.
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