Getting your foreign credentials recognized
Updated 2026-10-30English original
Official source: Government of Canada · Foreign credential recognition ↗
Published 2026-10-30Last checked 2026-10-30Language English
If this page and the official page differ, the official page is right.
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.
General information, not legal advice. Every guide links to the official source and shows when we last checked it. For your own case, use IRCC’s tools or a licensed consultant.