Educational Credential Assessments (ECA) for Canada
January 16, 2026
If you’re planning to study, work, or immigrate to Canada, you may have already heard the term Educational Credential Assessment, or ECA. It’s a requirement for many applications, but what exactly is it, and why does it matter? At The Evaluation Company, we’ve worked with individuals navigating this step. Here’s a straightforward guide to what a Canadian credential evaluation involves, when you need one, and how we can help.
What Is an Educational Credential Assessment?
An ECA is an official report that explains how your international education compares to Canadian academic standards.
In practical terms, that means a trained evaluator will review your degrees, transcripts, and other academic records, then determine their Canadian equivalency. For example, a bachelor’s degree earned in another country might be found comparable to a Canadian bachelor’s degree, based on established benchmarks.
Think of it as translating your academic background into terms that Canadian institutions, employers, and immigration authorities can understand.
Why Are ECAs Required in Canada?
Canada has its own education system, and international qualifications don’t always match directly. Without a professional evaluation, there’s a risk your achievements might be misunderstood or undervalued.
An ECA helps ensure your credentials are:
- Reviewed fairly and consistently
- Recognized at the correct academic level
- Accepted for admission or professional licensure
Whether you’re applying to a Canadian college or university or seeking a license to work in a regulated field, an ECA may be a key part of your application.
What About Three-Year Bachelor’s Degrees?
This is one of the most common questions we hear: Will my three-year bachelor’s degree be accepted in Canada?
In many cases, the answer is yes.
A completed three-year degree from a recognized institution can often be considered equivalent to a Canadian bachelor’s degree. But to confirm that equivalency, you’ll need a professional evaluation that follows Canadian standards.
Our evaluators have the expertise to make those determinations carefully and accurately.
Who Needs a Canadian Credential Evaluation?
You may need an ECA if you’re:
- Applying to a Canadian college or university
- Seeking licensure in a regulated profession (like engineering, nursing, or teaching)
- Looking for employment that requires degree verification
If you’re not sure whether an ECA is required in your case, our team can help you figure that out.
What Does the Process Look Like?
We’ve designed our application process to be secure, straightforward, and entirely online.
You can:
- Upload your academic documents
- Track your evaluation status in real time
- Communicate with our team if you have questions
Need certified translations? We offer that too. If your documents aren’t in English, we can translate them. This helps keep everything consistent and reduces the chance of delays.
Applying to Both Canada and the U.S.?
You don’t need to start from scratch for each country. The Evaluation Company provides credential evaluations tailored for both Canadian and U.S. requirements.
That means if you’re applying to schools, jobs, or licensing boards in both places, we can streamline the process. It saves time and ensures your documents are evaluated properly for each destination.
Why Work with The Evaluation Company?
We’ve been evaluating international credentials since 1982, and we bring that experience to every report we prepare.
As a long-standing member of NACES, our evaluations are trusted by universities, licensing boards, and employers across North America. Our goal is to make sure your education is represented clearly, fairly, and professionally so you can focus on what’s next.
Ready to Begin?
If a Canadian credential evaluation is part of your journey, we’re here to help.
Start your application today or reach out with any questions. We’re ready when you are.
3 MIN. READING
