For individuals looking to immigrate to Canada, the Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is a critical step in the process.
The ECA Credential Importance verifies that your foreign degree, diploma, certificate, or other proof of your education is valid and equal to a Canadian one.
This requirement is especially crucial for those applying through the Express Entry system or for those looking to work in a regulated profession in Canada.
What is an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)?
An ECA is an evaluation of your educational credentials obtained outside of Canada to determine their equivalency to Canadian standards. This assessment is necessary for various immigration pathways, including:
- Express Entry: Applicants under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) need an ECA for their educational qualifications to be recognized by Canadian authorities.
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Some provinces require an ECA as part of their nomination process.
- Regulated Professions: If your profession is regulated in Canada, an ECA Credential Importancemay be required to practice in that field.
Who Needs an ECA?
An ECA is required if you:
- Completed your education outside of Canada and are applying for immigration under the Express Entry system.
- Need to prove your education level to meet the criteria of a particular immigration program.
- Are planning to work in a regulated profession in Canada that requires proof of educational equivalency?
How to Get an ECA?
To obtain an ECA, you must choose an organization designated by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to conduct these assessments. As of the latest guidelines, the designated organizations include:
- World Education Services (WES)
- International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
- International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
- Medical Council of Canada (for doctors)
- Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) for pharmacists
You will need to send your educational documents directly to the chosen organization, following their specific instructions. Each organization has its processing times and fees, so it’s essential to review these details when selecting which organization to use.
Occupations Requiring an ECA from a Professional Body
Although there are many different kinds of ECAs, you need to get one from an IRCC-designated organization in order to use it for immigration purposes. Here is a list of occupations that require an ECA report from a designated professional body:
- Specialists in Clinical and Laboratory Medicine (NOC 31100)
- Specialist Physicians (NOC 3111) or Specialists in Surgery (NOC 31101)
- Designated Professional Body: Medical Council of Canada
If you are a specialist physician or a specialist in surgery, you must submit an ECA report from the Medical Council of Canada. This is mandatory if your intended position in Canada requires a license to practice in these fields.
- General Practitioners and Family Physicians (NOC 3112 or NOC 31102)
- Designated Professional Body: Medical Council of Canada
Similar to specialists, general practitioners, and family physicians must obtain an ECA Credential Importance from the Medical Council of Canada if their intended position in Canada requires a license to practice.
- Architects (NOC 2151 or NOC 21200)
- Designated Professional Body: Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB)
If you plan to work as an architect in Canada, and your position requires a license to practice (e.g., using the title “architect” and being responsible for the design and construction of buildings), you must submit an ECA Credential Importance report from the CACB. However, if your role does not require a license (such as a project manager at a construction firm), your credentials can be assessed by another designated organization.
- Pharmacists (NOC 3131 or NOC 31120)
- Designated Professional Body: Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC)
Pharmacists who intend to practice in a licensed position (e.g., providing patient care in community pharmacies, hospitals, or other healthcare settings) must submit an ECA Credential Importance report from PEBC. For roles that do not require a license, such as positions in the pharmaceutical industry or government, another designated assessment organization can evaluate your credentials.
Importance of ECA in the Immigration Process
The ECA Credential Importance plays a crucial role in determining your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score under the Express Entry system. A higher educational equivalency can significantly improve your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Moreover, having your credentials assessed and recognized in Canada can ease your transition into the Canadian job market, particularly if you are in a regulated profession.
ECA for Architects
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced the designation of the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) as an authorized professional body to provide Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs) for architects seeking to immigrate to Canada.
Starting May 20, the CACB will issue ECAs for applicants whose primary occupation is listed as Architects (NOC 21200).
This new designation is an important development for architecture professionals, enabling them to confirm that their foreign educational qualifications meet Canadian standards, which is a critical step in the process of applying for economic permanent residence in Canada.
Even while an ECA Credential Importance is essential for immigration, it does not ensure that you will work in your sector, at a given level, or be granted a licence to engage in regulated practice. You must also fulfill the licensing requirements of the particular province or territory in which you seek to settle if you intend to work in a regulated profession.
It is essential to comprehend the particular ECA Credential Importance standards related to your line of work in order to guarantee a seamless immigration process. It is required to obtain an ECA from the designated professional body if your principal occupation is one of the stated NOC codes. This stage facilitates your entry into the Canadian workforce by confirming that your educational background satisfies the requirements set forth by Canada for the practice of your profession. To make sure you satisfy all the standards for your desired occupation in Canada, always make sure to check the most recent guidelines.
