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

From Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

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

Organization	Date designated
Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies	April 17, 2013
International Credential Assessment Service of Canada	April 17, 2013
World Education Services	April 17, 2013
International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)	August 6, 2015
International Credential Evaluation Service	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

You applied for community recommendation on or after November 16, 2022 or haven’t applied yet

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 and
responsible for the design and construction of homes or buildings

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 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 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 31120)

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

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.

You applied for community recommendation on or before November 15, 2022

Physicians (NOC 3111 or NOC 3112)

If your primary occupation is as a specialist physician (NOC 3111) or general practitioner/family physician (NOC 3112), you must provide an assessment from the Medical Council of Canada 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, you must provide an assessment from the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada.

Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (professional body for pharmacists)