Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

Verify Your Foreign Education for Express Entry

If you completed your education outside Canada, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) verifies that your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate is valid and equivalent to a Canadian credential. It is a required document for most Express Entry applicants and can significantly boost your CRS score — by up to 150 points.

Key Updates

ECAs issued by organizations other than the designated professional bodies before October 31, 2024 are still accepted if they remain valid
Your ECA provider must send a copy of the report directly to IRCC — confirm this step with your assessment organization
ECAs are valid for 5 years from the date of issue

Do You Need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)?

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

✅ Required if you completed your education outside Canada

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

⚠️ Optional — but submitting an ECA can add up to 150 points to your CRS score

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

⚠️ Optional — but submitting an ECA can add valuable points to your CRS score

Even when not required, submitting an ECA for CEC and FSTP applicants can increase your CRS score and improve your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply.

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What is an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)?

An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is used to verify that your foreign education credential is valid and equivalent to a Canadian one. For Express Entry purposes:

Only ECAs issued for immigration purposes are accepted
You must include your ECA report and reference number in your Express Entry profile
An ECA helps with your immigration application but does not 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 through the provincial or territorial regulatory body where you plan to 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, AND
Submit your permanent residence application

If you have been invited to apply:

Ensure your ECA is still valid when you submit your application

If you have not yet been invited:

Ensure your ECA will remain valid while you are in the Express Entry pool

Important: If your ECA expires, contact the issuing organization for re-issuance. Applications submitted with an expired ECA will be refused.

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Get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

Which Credentials to Assess

Usually only your highest level of education needs to be assessed — for example, your Master’s degree
To claim CRS points for two or more credentials, each one must be assessed separately
To receive full education points, at least one credential must be from a program of three or more years of study
If your post-secondary credential is not equivalent to a Canadian credential, you may assess your secondary education instead to earn basic points

Designated Professional Bodies

If your primary occupation is as an architect, doctor, or pharmacist, you must use the designated professional body for your occupation.

Architects (NOC 21200)

Must use the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) if:
- Your primary occupation is architect (NOC 21200), AND
- You need a license to practise — for example, if you are using the architect title and responsible for the design and construction of homes or buildings
If you do not need a license — for example, working as a project manager at a construction firm — you may use any general designated organization
Note: If your primary occupation is Architect (NOC 21200) and you already have an ECA issued by another designated organization before October 31, 2024, it will still be accepted if it remains valid
Contact the regulatory body in the province where you plan to live to confirm whether a license is required

Specialists and Family Physicians (NOC 31100, 31101, 31102)

Must use the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) for your primary medical diploma if your primary occupation is:
- Specialist in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100)
- Specialist in surgery (NOC 31101)
- General practitioner or family physician (NOC 31102)
If your primary occupation is different, any general designated organization may do your assessment

Pharmacists (NOC 31120)

Must use the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) if:
- Your primary occupation is pharmacist (NOC 31120), AND
- You need a license to practise — for example, if you are working in:
  - A community pharmacy
  - A hospital pharmacy
  - A long-term care facility
  - Other regulated practice settings
If you do not need a license — for example, working in the pharmaceutical industry or a government role requiring a pharmacy degree but not a license to practise — you may use any general designated organization
Contact the regulatory body in the province where you plan to live to confirm whether a license is required

Important: For all regulated occupations, always confirm licensing requirements with the provincial or territorial regulatory body before proceeding with your ECA application.

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How to Submit Your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

Enter your ECA results and reference number into your Express Entry profile
Keep all original documents
Upload copies if you receive an Invitation to Apply
Confirm that your assessment organization has sent a copy of the ECA report directly to IRCC — this is a required step that is often overlooked

Multiple Credentials

If you have two or more credentials to assess:

At least one must be from a program of 3 or more years
Each credential must have its own valid ECA
Do not list more than one credential in a single field

How to enter multiple credentials in your Express Entry profile:

Go to the Study and Languages form
Fill out the Education History for your highest credential
Click Save and Add
Repeat for each additional credential

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How Many CRS Points Will You Get?

Your ECA result determines points under:

Your points depend on the Canadian equivalent of your foreign credential. Use the official IRCC points table to match your ECA result to its Canadian equivalent and find your eligible CRS and FSWP points.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can my spouse's ECA help my application?

Yes. If your spouse or common-law partner has a foreign education credential, their ECA can contribute additional points to your CRS score.

How long does an ECA take?

Processing times vary by organization. WES typically takes 7 to 20 business days for standard service. Start early to avoid delays in your Express Entry profile.

Can I use my ECA for purposes other than immigration?

An ECA issued for immigration purposes is accepted for Express Entry but may not be recognized by employers or licensing bodies. Check with the relevant provincial regulatory body for your profession.

What if my ECA result is lower than expected?

You can request a reassessment or review through the issuing organization. Book a consultation with us to review your options and how it may affect your CRS score.

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Related Resources

For the latest updates on the Federal Skilled Worker Program, visit the official IRCC website.
For the latest Express Entry draw results, including category-based and general draws, visit the official IRCC page.
Learn more about Express Entry programs
Express Entry Draws

Need Help With Your ECA?

Choosing the wrong assessment organization or submitting an expired ECA can delay or result in refusal of your application. We can review your credentials and guide you through the right process.

📞 Call us: 647-409-2220 🌐 Visit: ghasedak.ca 📩 Start with a free eligibility assessment — book your consultation today.