Getting your foreign credentials recognized

Regulated or not

About one in five jobs in Canada is regulated. Doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers, electricians and many trades need a licence from a regulatory body in the province where you work. Most other jobs do not need a licence, but employers may still ask what your education is equal to in Canada.

Where to start

• Check whether your job is regulated in your province. The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) has a directory.
• Contact the regulatory body. Ask what documents, exams and Canadian experience they need, and how long it takes.
• Start before you arrive if you can. Some steps, like document checks, can be done from abroad.

Educational credential assessments

An educational credential assessment (ECA) tells you what your degree is equal to in Canada. An ECA for immigration is not the same as a licence to work in a regulated job.

Keep your documents

Bring original diplomas, transcripts and reference letters. Get certified translations of documents that are not in English or French.