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EnglishWhat Is a Credential Evaluation and When Do You Need One?
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A credential evaluation is a written report that converts education and work experience earned outside the United States into a U.S. equivalency, so a school, employer, licensing body, or immigration authority can understand what your foreign credentials mean. You typically need one when a U.S. organization asks you to prove that a degree, diploma, or professional qualification from another country is equivalent to a U.S. credential. Providers such as the Foundation for International Services (FIS) have offered these evaluations, along with translations and expert opinions, since 1978, and FIS is a charter member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
What a credential evaluation actually does
A credential evaluation does not re-issue your degree or certify that you are qualified for a job. It documents your educational level and expertise in U.S. terms. FIS describes its evaluations as accurately documenting your expertise and educational level, which is what lets a U.S. reader compare your foreign background against a familiar standard.
In practice, the report answers questions like: Is this three-year bachelor's degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree? Does this diploma represent a high school completion? What level does this professional title correspond to? The evaluator reviews your documents and issues a report stating the U.S. equivalency.
When you need one
According to FIS, its evaluations are used for immigration, employment, admission into U.S. universities, and meeting licensing or certification requirements. That covers most situations where a U.S. institution or agency has to interpret a foreign credential.
- Immigration: Supporting documentation where your education or professional background must be stated in U.S. terms.
- Employment: Giving employers a clear picture of your qualifications so you can compete for roles.
- University admission: Showing that your prior education meets a program's entry expectations.
- Licensing or certification: Satisfying a board or certifying body that reviews foreign credentials.
If the organization you are dealing with explicitly asks for a "credential evaluation" or an "equivalency report," that is your signal to get one. If it only asks for a translation, you may not need a full evaluation.
Documents, translations, and expert opinions
The exact document list depends on your country and your goal. FIS publishes country-specific guidance — for example, it has an expert advice article on what documents it needs to evaluate a Chinese degree — so the reliable move is to check the requirements for your specific credential rather than assume a universal checklist.
Three services often work together:
| Service | What it provides | When it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Credential evaluation | A report documenting your educational level and expertise in U.S. terms | When an institution needs an equivalency |
| Translation | Meaning and context in virtually any language | When your documents are not in English |
| Expert opinion | A letter, such as a university professor's recommendation, that strengthens your evaluation | When your case benefits from additional professional support |
Translations and expert opinions are positioned by FIS as complements to the evaluation, not replacements for it. If your documents are already in English and your reviewer only wants an equivalency, you may not need the translation service.
How to choose a provider
Two factors do most of the work here.
Membership and standing. NACES membership is a commonly referenced signal of credibility, and FIS notes it is a charter member. Many universities, employers, and licensing bodies specify that they accept evaluations from NACES members, so confirming this before you pay can save you from an evaluation that gets rejected.
Pricing and process fit. FIS publishes a pricing page, so you can review its structure before committing. Compare providers on the same dimensions: what the report includes, whether translation is bundled or separate, turnaround expectations, and whether the receiving organization has a preferred provider. FIS also emphasizes customer service and compliance within industry standards, and its site includes client testimonials about the process being smooth and professional — useful context, though your own requirements should drive the decision.
The basic steps
- Confirm what the recipient requires. Ask the school, employer, licensing board, or immigration contact whether they need a credential evaluation, a translation, or both, and whether they require a NACES-member provider.
- Check the document requirements for your country. Use provider guidance specific to your credential rather than a generic list.
- Request the evaluation. FIS describes a quick and easy upload process to get started.
- Arrange translation if needed. If your documents are not in English, add the translation service.
- Consider an expert opinion if your situation calls for extra supporting documentation.
- Receive and submit your report to the organization that requested it.
The main places people get stuck are submitting the wrong documents for their country, assuming a translation alone will satisfy a reviewer who wants an equivalency, and choosing a provider the recipient does not accept. Verifying the recipient's requirements first avoids all three.