Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for Express Entry

An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is required for Express Entry applicants under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) if they completed their education outside of Canada. It verifies that your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate is equivalent to a Canadian credential. While optional for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), an ECA can significantly boost your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score—by up to 150 points.

ECAs are valid for 5 years and usually only required for your highest credential. A spouse’s ECA can also contribute to your points. However, an ECA does not guarantee employment or licensure in regulated professions. Start your assessment early to avoid processing delays.

Table of Contents – Educational Credential Assessment

What is an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)?

An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is used to verify that your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate (or other proof of your education) is valid and equivalent to a Canadian one.

  • Only ECAs for immigration purposes are accepted for Express Entry.
  • Must include your ECA report and reference number in your profile.
  • Helps with job search, but doesn’t guarantee:
    • a job in your field
    • a license to practice in a regulated profession

If you plan to work in a regulated occupation, you must get licensed in the province/territory where you’ll live.

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Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) Validity Period

Your ECA must be less than 5 years old when you:

  • Complete your Express Entry profile
  • Submit your permanent residence application

If invited to apply:

  • Ensure the ECA is still valid when you apply

If not invited yet:

  • Ensure the ECA remains valid while in the Express Entry pool

If your ECA expires, you may contact the issuing body for re-issuance. Applications with expired ECAs will be refused.

Important: Your ECA provider must also send a copy of the report directly to IRCC. Confirm with your assessment organization if this step has been completed.

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Get an Educational Credential Assessment(ECA)

➤ Which Credentials to Assess:

  • Usually, only the highest level of education needs to be assessed (e.g., Master’s degree).
  • To claim points for two or more credentials, both must be assessed.
  • To get full points:
    • One credential must be for three or more years of study.

If your post-secondary credential is not equivalent to a Canadian credential, you can assess your secondary education instead to earn basic points.

➤ Who Can Do the Assessment:

You must use a designated organization or professional body approved by IRCC.

✅ Designated Organizations:

✅ Designated Professional Bodies (for specific occupations):

  • Architects (NOC 21200): Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB)
    • Must use Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) if you’re using the architect title and responsible for building design/construction.
    • If you’re in a non-licensed role (e.g., project manager), you may use a regular designated organization.
    • Note: ECAs issued by other organizations before October 31, 2024, are still accepted if valid.
  • Doctors (NOC 31100, 31101, 31102):
    • Must get an ECA for your primary medical diploma from the Medical Council of Canada (MCC).
    • Applies to general practitioners, family physicians, and specialists in clinical/laboratory medicine and surgery.
    • If your primary occupation is different, another designated organization can do your assessment.
  • Pharmacists (NOC 31120):
    • Must use Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) if you need a license to practice (e.g., in hospitals, community pharmacies).
    • If license is not required (e.g., industry/government roles), you may use a regular designated organization.

For all regulated occupations, contact the provincial regulatory body where you plan to live to confirm if a license is needed.

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Submit Your Report

  • Enter the results and reference number into your Express Entry profile.
  • Keep original documents.
  • Upload copies if invited to apply.
  • Confirm that a copy of the ECA report has been sent to IRCC by your assessment body.

If You Have 2 or More Credentials:

  • At least one must be a 3+ year program.
  • Each credential must have a valid ECA.

How to Enter Multiple Credentials:

  1. Go to Study and languages form.
  2. Fill out the Education history for your highest credential.
  3. Click Save and add.
  4. Repeat for other credentials.

Note: Don’t list more than one credential in a single field.

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How Many Points You’ll Get

Your ECA result determines points under:

Use the official IRCC table to:

  • Match your result to its Canadian equivalent
  • Find your eligible CRS/FSWP points

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