Best Education Credential Evaluation Agencies in the USA

What is credential evaluation?

Credential evaluation confirms that your academic and professional qualifications from abroad meet USA standards. This process is vital for international students, immigrants, and professionals who have completed their education outside the USA and are seeking further education, professional licensure, or employment in the country.

Credential evaluators (companies that provide credential evaluation services) adhere to strict ethical standards, working closely with the issuing institutions to ensure foreign certifications are authentic and accurate. This helps to prevent fraud and eases foreign students’ transition into the American educational or labour system.

Types of credential evaluations

Most credential evaluators offer three primary types of evaluations: 

1. Course-by-Course Credential Evaluation: This provides a detailed analysis of each diploma or degree certificate you obtained abroad, listing all the courses you took along with their USA equivalents, grades, and credits. This type of evaluation is often required for academic purposes, such as transferring credits to an American university or applying for professional licenses, where a detailed understanding of your coursework is necessary.
    
2. Document-by-Document Credential Evaluation: This offers a general overview of your educational qualifications. It outlines the institutions you attended and the degrees or certificates you earned and compares them to USA equivalents. This type of evaluation is typically used for employment or immigration purposes, where a broad understanding of your educational background is sufficient.
    
3. Professional Work Experience Evaluation: This assesses your work history and experience to determine how it aligns with USA. education standards. It is typically used for immigration purposes, such as H-1B visa applications, where your job roles, responsibilities and employment duration are analysed and compared with an academic equivalent that American institutions and employers recognise.

Top education credential evaluation agencies

World Education Services (WES)

WES is highly recognised and trusted by American educational institutions and employers, offering comprehensive credential evaluation services, including document-by-document and course-by-course evaluations. Their prices range from $111 for basic document evaluations to $225 for detailed course analyses. Evaluations are typically completed within two weeks, but complex cases may take six to eight weeks. 
 

Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)

Many American academic institutions recognise the ECE’s rigorous assessment methodology, making it a preferred choice for foreigners applying for student visas. This agency offers general and course-by-course evaluations for various purposes, including employment, immigration, education, and military requirements. Prices start at $100 with an average turnaround of three to five business days.  
 

International Education Research Foundation (IERF)

The IERF offers tailored credential evaluation services, including General, Detailed, and Detailed-with-Course Level Identification reports. The fees for these services range from $100 for a General Report to $235 for a Detailed Report with Course Level Identification. Their average processing time is 15 business days, with the option for rush services with varying additional costs and turnaround times from 24 hours to ten business days, depending on the urgency level.
 

SpanTran (The Evaluation Company)

The Evaluation Company (TEC), previously known as SpanTran, provides credential evaluations, expert opinions, and verifications for educational, immigration, and professional licensure purposes. Their services include general and course-specific analyses with varying pricing depending on the service and urgency, including options for standard and rush processing times. 
 

Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute (ACEI)

The ACEI is known for its ethical standards and commitment to providing accurate assessments. Their services include basic and comprehensive evaluations, with specific reports that detail educational equivalencies, course levels, and grades. Fees vary depending on the type of evaluation, ranging from $115 for basic reports to $275 for detailed course-by-course analyses with additional charges for rush services and digital delivery.
 

American Education & Translation Services (AET)

The AET is known for its fast processing times, competitive pricing, and responsive customer service. This agency offers several types of evaluations, including document-by-document, course-by-course and professional experience and position evaluations. Their prices start at $100 for a basic document-by-document evaluation, and up to $600 for more comprehensive professional evaluations. 

Criteria for choosing a credential evaluation agency

Here are some key factors to consider when selecting a credential evaluation agency: 

1. NACES Membership:  Confirm whether the agency is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). This membership signals that the agency maintains high standards and follows best practices in credential evaluation.
    
2. Turnaround Time: Ask and confirm how long the agency typically takes to complete evaluations. This is especially crucial if you hope to beat a school admission or job offer deadline. 
    
3. Cost: Understand the costs involved as they can vary significantly between agencies,  based on the type and complexity of the evaluation needed. Always get a clear picture of what the fee covers to avoid unexpected charges.
    
4. Types of Evaluations Offered: Determine whether the agency offers the evaluation type you need. Some agencies may offer some or all service types, giving you more flexibility to choose the one that best suits the specifics of your situation.
    
5. Customer Reviews:  Read reviews from previous clients to gauge the agency's reliability and the quality of their service. Pay attention to comments about customer service, the accuracy of the evaluations, and the agency's effectiveness in meeting deadlines.

Tips for a smooth credential evaluation process

1. Gather All Required Documents in Advance: Compile all the necessary documents, including transcripts, diplomas, and identification. All non-English documents must be translated by a verified provider of USCIS translation services, before you submit them for evaluation. 
    
2. Understand the Specific Requirements of Your Chosen Agency: Each evaluation agency has its requirements regarding document formats and details. Visit the agency's website or contact them directly for a clear list of what you must submit. This prevents any delays caused by incomplete submissions.
    
3. Prepare for Additional Fees: Some agencies charge extra for services like rush processing or issuing additional copies of the completed evaluation. It’s best to familiarise yourself with the fee structure and budget accordingly to avoid surprises.
    
4. Consider the Processing Time and Plan Accordingly: Processing times can vary widely depending on the agency and the complexity of your evaluation. Don't leave this to the last minute, especially if you need your evaluation for a specific deadline like college applications or job offers. 
    
5. Check for Compatibility with the Receiving Institution: Ensure that the evaluation format and details meet the specific requirements of the institution or employer you are applying to. This can include the type of evaluation report (e.g., course-by-course, document-by-document), certified translations or any special stipulations they might have.
    
6. Stay Informed Throughout the Process: Most agencies offer a way to track the status of your evaluation. Take advantage of this feature to stay updated and promptly address any issues or additional requests from the agency.

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