What Is NACES? Understanding Credential Evaluation in the U.S.

If you’re applying to an academic institution, job, or licensing board with international education credentials, you’ve probably come across the term credential evaluation—and maybe even the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or better known as NACES. But what is NACES and how does it relate to credential evaluation?

Let’s take a closer look.  

What Is Credential Evaluation?

Credential evaluation is the process of assessing academic documents from another country and converting them into the U.S. educational equivalency. For example, if you earned a bachelor’s degree in India, a credential evaluation would determine how that compares to a U.S. degree—helping schools, employers, and licensing boards understand your qualifications. 

What Is NACES?

NACES plays an important role in the field of credential evaluation, although it’s not an evaluation company itself. Instead, it’s a membership organization comprised of credential evaluation providers that meet rigorous professional standards. 

NACES members have been vetted for: 

• Expertise in international education systems 
• Accurate and reliable evaluations 
• Ethical business practices 
• Qualified staff and secure processes 

Why Does NACES Matter?

Many institutions in the U.S.—especially universities and licensing boards—require that evaluations come from a NACES member. This helps institutions ensure consistency and trust in the evaluation process. 

Is WES a NACES Member?

Yes! WES is one of the most well-known NACES members and has been a member since 1987—when NACES was established. WES is one of several members including Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), The Evaluation Company (formerly SpanTran), and International Education Evaluations (IEE). 

How to Choose the Right Credential Evaluation Provider

When you are ready to begin your credential evaluation, you want to find a provider that will support your goals. Here are a few tips to get started: 

• Start planning early: If possible, begin your research and planning for a credential evaluation early. This will allow you time to gather required documents and meet deadlines. 
• Define your goal: Having a clear goal for the next step in your career or education will help you clarify what you need to succeed. 
• Check with the institution you want to apply to: If you have a certain school, company, or licensing board in mind, contact them and confirm whether it has specific requirements such as report type and preferred provider.  

Read our full blog post to help you choose the best credential evaluation provider for your goals. 

Final Thoughts

Navigating credential evaluation can be confusing, but now that you understand what NACES is, we hope you feel prepared to make informed decisions. Whether you choose WES or another NACES member for your credential evaluation, you’ll be working with professionals who are recognized for their quality and integrity—and you’ll be ready to pursue new opportunities with your international education.  

Learn more about WES evaluations including the types of reports we offer and pricing information.