An Educational credential assessment (ECA) is used to verify that your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate (or other proof of your credential) is valid and equal to a Canadian one. There are different types of ECAs. You need to get an ECA for immigration purposes. If you got another type of ECA, you may be able to get it re-issued, depending on the type of ECA and/or issuing organization.
Who can do your assessment
You must get your assessment from an organization or a professional body designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. They will give you a report that 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 a professional body, they will tell you how to submit your documents to get your assessment.
Designated organizations
You must use one of these designated organizations:
- 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
Required Documents
- Completed Degree Program in mainland China:
- English Translation of Online Verification Report of Higher Education Degree Certificate from China Higher Education Student Information & Career Center (CHESICC)
- Academic Transcript issued in Chinese and English from China Higher Education Student Information & Career Center (CHESICC)
- Completed Non-Degree Program in mainland China:
- Graduation Certificate issued in Chinese
- English Translation of Graduation Certificate
- Chinese Verification Report of Graduation Certificate from China Higher Education Student Information & Career Center (CHESICC)
- Academic Transcript issued in Chinese and English from China Higher Education Student Information & Career Center (CHESICC)
- Public Academic High School in mainland China:
- Photocopy of Original Graduation Certificate issued by the Awarding Institution
- English Translation of Graduation Certificate
- English Verification Report of Graduation Certificate from China Higher Education Student Information & Career Center (CHESICC)
- Academic Transcript issued in English (in sealed envelope)
- Completed Higher Education Program other than mainland China:
- Academic Transcript issued in English (in sealed envelope)
- Confirmation of Doctoral Degree Conferral (in sealed envelope)
ECA Result and its Corresponding Score in EE
| Assessment result (Canadian equivalency) | Level of education for Express Entry profile | CRS Points awarded (with spouse) | CRS Points awarded (without spouse) | Federal Skilled Workers Program factor points |
| Applied Bachelor’s Degree | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 112 | 120 | 21 |
| Applied Bachelor’s degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 112 | 120 | 21 |
| Associate Degree | Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 91 | 98 | 19 |
| Associate of [Arts/Science] degree | Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 91 | 98 | 19 |
| Bachelor of Laws | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Bachelor of Technology degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 112 | 120 | 21 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 112 | 120 | 21 |
| Bachelor’s degree (four years) | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 112 | 120 | 21 |
| Bachelor’s degree (three years) | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 112 | 120 | 21 |
| Bachelor’s degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 112 | 120 | 21 |
| Certificate of High School Achievement | Secondary school (high school diploma) | 28 | 30 | 5 |
| Certificate of High School Achievement [plus/including] [specialized/vocational/technical] training in X | Secondary school (high school diploma) | 28 | 30 | 5 |
| College Certificate | One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 84 | 90 | 15 |
| College Diploma | Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 91 | 98 | 19 |
| College Diploma (three years) | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 112 | 120 | 21 |
| College Diploma (two years) | Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 91 | 98 | 19 |
| Completion of College-level certificate | One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 84 | 90 | 15 |
| Diploma (three years) | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 112 | 120 | 21 |
| Diploma (two years) | Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 91 | 98 | 19 |
| Doctor of Chiropractic degree | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Doctor of Dental Surgery degree | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Doctor of Medicine degree | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Doctor of Optometry degree | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | University degree at the Doctoral (PhD) level | 140 | 150 | 25 |
| Doctor of Podiatry degree | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Doctor of [name of discipline, such as Business Administration, Law, Psychology] | University degree at the Doctoral (PhD) level | 140 | 150 | 25 |
| Doctorate (Ph.D.) | University degree at the Doctoral (PhD) level | 140 | 150 | 25 |
| Earned Doctorate (Ph.D.) | University degree at the Doctoral (PhD) level | 140 | 150 | 25 |
| Earned Doctorate Degree | University degree at the Doctoral (PhD) level | 140 | 150 | 25 |
| First Professional Degree in Dentistry | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| First Professional Degree in Veterinary Medicine | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| First professional degree in Medicine | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| First professional degree in medicine (Doctor of Medicine) | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| First professional university degree in chiropractic medicine | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| First professional university degree in chiropractic medicine, preceded by prerequisite undergraduate study | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| First professional university degree in dentistry | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| First professional university degree in dentistry, preceded by prerequisite undergraduate study | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| First professional university degree in law | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| First professional university degree in law, preceded by [x years] prerequisite undergraduate study | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| First professional university degree in medicine | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| First professional university degree in medicine, preceded by prerequisite undergraduate study | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| First professional university degree in optometry | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| First professional university degree in optometry, preceded by prerequisite undergraduate study | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| First professional university degree in podiatric medicine | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| First professional university degree in podiatric medicine, preceded by prerequisite undergraduate study | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| First professional university degree in veterinary medicine | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| First professional university degree in veterinary medicine, preceded by prerequisite undergraduate study | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Five or more years of professional university study in chiropractic medicine | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Five or more years of professional university study in dentistry | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Five or more years of professional university study in optometry | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Five or more years of professional university study in pharmacy | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Five or more years of professional university study in podiatry | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Four to five years of professional study in podiatry | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Four to seven years of professional study in dentistry | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Four to seven years of professional study in veterinary medicine | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Four-year Bachelor degree | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 112 | 120 | 21 |
| Four-year Bachelor of Science degree with a focus in pharmacy | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Four-year Bachelor’s degree, specializing in [name of discipline] | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 112 | 120 | 21 |
| Four-year Bachelor’s degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 112 | 120 | 21 |
| Four-year advanced diploma | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 112 | 120 | 21 |
| Grade 12 (high school completion) | Secondary school (high school diploma) | 28 | 30 | 5 |
| High School Diploma | Secondary school (high school diploma) | 28 | 30 | 5 |
| High School Diploma [plus/including] [specialized/vocational/technical] training in X | Secondary school (high school diploma) | 28 | 30 | 5 |
| High School Equivalency Certificate | Secondary school (high school diploma) | 28 | 30 | 5 |
| Juris Doctor | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Master of Business Administration | University degree at the Master’s level | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Master of [name of discipline] | University degree at the Master’s level | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Master’s Degree | University degree at the Master’s level | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Master’s Degree (Taught) | University degree at the Master’s level | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Master’s degree, specializing in [name of discipline] | University degree at the Master’s level | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Master’s degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | University degree at the Master’s level | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| One-year Master degree | University degree at the Master’s level | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| One-year Master of Business Administration degree | University degree at the Master’s level | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| One-year Master’s degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | University degree at the Master’s level | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| One-year Post-secondary certificate with a focus in [area of concentration] | One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 84 | 90 | 15 |
| One-year certificate | One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 84 | 90 | 15 |
| One-year certificate in [name of discipline] | One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 84 | 90 | 15 |
| Post-secondary Diploma with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 91 | 98 | 19 |
| Post-secondary certificate with a focus in [area of concentration] | One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 84 | 90 | 15 |
| Professional Doctorate Degree | University degree at the Doctoral (PhD) level | 140 | 150 | 25 |
| Secondary School Diploma | Secondary school (high school diploma) | 28 | 30 | 5 |
| Secondary School Graduation | Secondary school (high school diploma) | 28 | 30 | 5 |
| Secondary school diploma and diploma (two years) | Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 91 | 98 | 19 |
| Three to six years of professional study in optometry | Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| Three-year Bachelor degree | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 112 | 120 | 21 |
| Three-year Bachelor’s degree, specializing in [name of discipline] | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 112 | 120 | 21 |
| Three-year Bachelor’s degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 112 | 120 | 21 |
| Three-year advanced diploma | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 112 | 120 | 21 |
| Three-year diploma in [name of discipline] | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 112 | 120 | 21 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Applied Bachelor’s Degree | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Applied Bachelor’s degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Bachelor of Technology degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Bachelor’s Degree | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Bachelor’s degree (three years) | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Bachelor’s degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a College Certificate | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a College Diploma | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a College Diploma (three years) | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a College Diploma (two years) | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Completion of College-level certificate | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Diploma (three years) | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Diploma (two years) | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Dual Bachelor’s degree (four years) | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Four-year Bachelor degree | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Four-year Bachelor’s degree, specializing in [name of discipline] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Four-year Bachelor’s degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Four-year advanced diploma | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Graduate Certificate | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Graduate Certificate with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Graduate Diploma with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Graduate diploma | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a One-year Post-secondary certificate with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a One-year certificate | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a One-year certificate in [name of discipline] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Post-Bachelor’s Certificate | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Post-Bachelor’s Diploma | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Post-secondary Diploma with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Post-secondary certificate with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Post-undergraduate certificate | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Post-undergraduate diploma | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Postgraduate Diploma | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Postgraduate certificate | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Secondary school diploma and diploma (two years) | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Three-year Bachelor degree | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Three-year Bachelor’s degree, specializing in [name of discipline] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Three-year Bachelor’s degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Three-year advanced diploma | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Three-year diploma in [name of discipline] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Bachelor’s degree (four years) | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Three-year post-secondary Diploma with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Two-year associate degree | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Two-year diploma | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Two-year diploma in [name of discipline] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a Two-year post-secondary Diploma with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a University Certificate | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a University Diploma | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in [name of discipline] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a two-year Bachelor’s after degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus a two-year Postgraduate Diploma, specializing in [name of discipline] | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus an Associate Degree | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree plus an Associate of [Arts/Science] degree | Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees | 119 | 128 | 22 |
| Three-year post-secondary Diploma with a focus in [area of concentration] | Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 112 | 120 | 21 |
| Two-year associate degree | Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 91 | 98 | 19 |
| Two-year diploma | Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 91 | 98 | 19 |
| Two-year diploma in [name of discipline] | Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 91 | 98 | 19 |
| Two-year post-secondary Diploma with a focus in [area of concentration] | Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 91 | 98 | 19 |
| Two-year Master’s degree with a focus in [area of concentration] | University degree at the Master’s level | 126 | 135 | 23 |
| University Certificate | One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 84 | 90 | 15 |
| University Diploma | One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 84 | 90 | 15 |
Note：Definition of Professional degrees for licensed professions:
This is also known as First professional degree or Entry-to-practice professional degree.
For Express Entry, only degrees in these fields can earn equal points to a Master’s degree: medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, podiatry, optometry, law, chiropractic medicine, and pharmacy.
For example, a 4-year nursing degree is not considered a first professional degree. It would earn you the same number of points as a Bachelor’s degree.
