Home > Work in Canada > Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) Guide
An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is used to check the Canadian equivalency of a foreign degree, diploma or certificate for immigration purposes. For example, an ECA will determine if an applicant’s foreign Master’s degree is of the same standard when compared to a Canadian Master’s degree.
Do you Need an ECA?
An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is a crucial step in the Canadian immigration process, particularly for candidates applying through the Express Entry system, other federal programs such as the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), or specific Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). It ensures that foreign educational qualifications are accurately assessed, contributing to a fair and transparent immigration system in Canada.
An ECA is required when individuals with foreign educational credentials would like to apply for certain federal or provincial immigration programs that require a minimum Canadian educational level.
An ECA is not required but highly recommended in cases where the immigration program does not have a minimum required Canadian education level but it gives a "bonus" to individuals having a secondary or post-secondary education.
Examples would be the Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) of Express Entry that do not require a minimum education level to qualify, but having an ECA for at least secondary education would help improve your CRS points and increase your chances of being invited to apply for permanent residence.
For Quebec immigration programs, the province does not accept Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
An ECA is required when individuals with foreign educational credentials would like to apply for certain federal or provincial immigration programs that require a minimum Canadian educational level.
An ECA is not required but highly recommended in cases where the immigration program does not have a minimum required Canadian education level but it gives a "bonus" to individuals having a secondary or post-secondary education.
Examples would be the Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) of Express Entry that do not require a minimum education level to qualify, but having an ECA for at least secondary education would help improve your CRS points and increase your chances of being invited to apply for permanent residence.
For Quebec immigration programs, the province does not accept Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
ECA Designated Organizations List
There are seven designated organizations for Educational Credential Assessments (ECA) by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Provinces and territories in Canada also accept ECAs from the same designated organisations for their provincial nominee programs.
Keep in mind that ECA report must be issued on or after the date IRCC designated the organization.
Most applicants will be able to get their ECA done by selecting one of the first 5 designated organizations from the list above.
If you are a Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100), Specialists in surgery (NOC 31101), or General practitioner/family physician (NOC 31102), the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) must do the ECA for your primary medical diploma.
If you are a pharmacist (NOC 31120) and need a license to practice (for example, providing patient care in a community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, etc.), the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) must do your ECA.
- Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (CES, Date designated: April 17, 2013).
- International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICASC, Date designated: April 17, 2013).
- World Education Services (WES, Date designated: April 17, 2013).
- International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS, Date designated: August 6, 2015).
- International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES, Date designated: August 6, 2015).
- Medical Council of Canada (professional body for Doctors) (MCC, Date designated: April 17, 2013).
- Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (professional body for Pharmacists) (PEBC, Date designated: January 6, 2014).
Keep in mind that ECA report must be issued on or after the date IRCC designated the organization.
Most applicants will be able to get their ECA done by selecting one of the first 5 designated organizations from the list above.
If you are a Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100), Specialists in surgery (NOC 31101), or General practitioner/family physician (NOC 31102), the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) must do the ECA for your primary medical diploma.
If you are a pharmacist (NOC 31120) and need a license to practice (for example, providing patient care in a community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, etc.), the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) must do your ECA.
ECA Validity Period
An Educational Credential Assessments (ECA) is valid for a period of 5 years from the date it is issued. To be accepted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for federal immigration programs or any provincial/territorial body for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), the ECA must not be more than five years old on the date they receive your application for permanent residence or for nomination.
ECA Designated Organizations Comparative Table
The table below presents a comparison between 5 designated organisations that issue an Educational Credential Assessments (ECA) for most certificates/degrees/diplomas.
MCC and PEBC have not been included since there is no other option than to use them when you are a specialist physician/general practitioner/family physician/pharmacist.
The price includes all the credentials you want to add (except for CES and IQAS, which is the price for the first credential - Additional fees apply for additional credentials). Include all your credentials, so as not to pay an additional fee and waste time if you want to assess another credential later.
Last updated: May 13, 2024
MCC and PEBC have not been included since there is no other option than to use them when you are a specialist physician/general practitioner/family physician/pharmacist.
The price includes all the credentials you want to add (except for CES and IQAS, which is the price for the first credential - Additional fees apply for additional credentials). Include all your credentials, so as not to pay an additional fee and waste time if you want to assess another credential later.
Last updated: May 13, 2024
CES University of Toronto | ICAS Canada | WES | IQAS | ICES | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price (excl. taxes) | $210 | $210 | $248 | $260 | $200 |
Processing time | 8 weeks | 20 weeks | 6 weeks | 6 weeks | 10 weeks |
Canada Delivery (excl. taxes) | Standard: N.A. Courier: 35$ | Standard: 5$ Courier: 35$ | Standard: $12 Courier: 27$ | Standard: N.A. Courier: 25$ | Standard: N.A. Courier: 26$ |
International Delivery (excl. taxes) | Standard: N.A. Courier USA: N.A. Courier: $80 | Standard: 10$ Courier USA: $35 Courier: $80 | Standard: N.A. Courier USA: N.A. Courier: $92 | Standard: N.A. Courier USA: N.A. Courier: $90 | Standard: N.A. Courier USA: N.A. Courier: $75 |