Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot: How to get an educational credential assessment

From Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

On this page

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

Who can provide your assessment

An educational credential assessment (ECA) is used to prove that your foreign degree, diploma or certificate is valid.

There are different types of ECAs. We only accept ECAs for immigration purposes.

You must get your ECA from a designated organization or professional body. The ECA 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 professional body, they’ll tell you how to submit your documents to get your ECA.

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)
  • designated: August 6, 2015
• International Credential Evaluation Service
  • designated: August 6, 2015

However, 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 professional 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 provide an assessment for your primary medical diploma.

• Medical Council of Canada (professional body for doctors)

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

Pharmacists (NOC 3131)

If you need a licence to practise, the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada must provide your assessment.

• 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.

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