Credential Evaluation vs. Credential Recognition: What’s the Difference?

Your education and experience matter. At WES, we believe that you should be able to put your education to good use and pursue academic and professional success—wherever you go.

A credential evaluation assesses your academic experience: your coursework, the institution you attended, and the requirements of the program you completed. However, this is not the same thing as credential recognition. Learn the difference between these two related but different terms.

What is a credential evaluation?

A credential evaluation provider like WES can evaluate your degree or diploma and provide a verified report that explains what the qualification would be equivalent to in the United States or Canada. This process is known as credential evaluation.

What organizations provide credential evaluations?

The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) in the U.S. and the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada (ACESC) are two trade organizations whose members are qualified credential evaluation providers. Employers, regulatory bodies, and academic institutions rely on these providers to help them understand international credentials. 

In some cases, an institution might have specific credential evaluation requirements, including a preferred provider and report type. We always advise checking with the organization that will receive your report and confirming its credential evaluation requirements.  

What is credential recognition, and what organizations provide it? 

After a credential evaluation report is sent to an employer, academic institution, or regulatory body, the recipient will review the report and determine whether or not to recognize the candidate’s credential. In other words, the institution you’re applying to will provide credential recognition.  

An evaluation report can be a valuable tool for people who need assistance assessing an individual’s international credentials. Here are a few examples to further illustrate how report recipients might leverage an evaluation: 

• A hiring manager at a company reviews a credential evaluation report to assess whether a candidate has completed education equivalent to the requirements outlined in the job listing.  
• A registration manager for a professional licensing entity must ensure that a licensure candidate meets rigorous academic requirements, including coursework. The manager would examine the candidate’s evaluation report to verify their credentials and confirm their eligibility for a professional license. 
• An international admissions officer at a college or university would need a credential evaluation to determine whether a prospective student meets the credential or coursework requirement to enter and succeed in a program.  

It’s important to know that evaluation reports are advisory— each institutional recipient makes the final decision of recognizing a candidate’s credentials or not. Employers, licensing boards, and academic institutions will review your evaluation report and determine whether your qualifications meet their requirements.

How to improve your chances of credential recognition 

Applying for a credential evaluation is the first step toward making sure your credentials are recognized. However, in a competitive job market or admissions process, there are a few additional steps you can take to support your credential evaluation and boost your chances of receiving a job offer or acceptance letter.  

• Contact the organization or institution you are interested in and ask if it has any credential evaluation requirements such as a preferred provider and report type. Visit our Credential Evaluations and Fees page to learn about the reports we offer.
• Applicants who select the International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) with their WES evaluation report may be eligible to receive a Digital Badge. The badge allows you to securely share your verified credentials on your digital résumé, LinkedIn profile, and other online platforms.
• Ensure that your professional online profiles and websites are up to date and support the details in your credential evaluation report. For example, if you are searching for a job, creating and setting up a LinkedIn profile can provide additional context to your achievements. 

We are here to help you every step of the way. Explore more WES tools and resources and start planning today for your credential evaluation!