FACT SHEET:
INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT
SERVICES IN CANADA

(Please note that educational assessments
are NOT required for immigration)

What is it?

In Canada, education is the responsibility of each province. While there is no central service for the assessment of education for all of Canada, services are available in some provinces. These services provide individuals with an assessment of education completed in other countries. For a fee, these services issue a report which indicates how education from another country compares to education within a specific province in Canada.

 
Who is it for?

The assessment reports help people who are thinking about immigration to Canada by giving them information about how their education compares to education within a Canadian province. The assessment reports may be presented to any employer in Canada and may help immigrants enter the Canadian workforce.

 
How can these assessments be used in Canada?

Assessments are mainly to help employers understand how education from another country compares to education in a Canadian province. The assessment reports can assist immigrants in their job search within Canada. Individuals wanting to pursue post-secondary studies or practice in a regulated occupation, need to contact the post-secondary institution or provincial regulatory body they wish to enter. Most post-secondary institutions conduct their own educational assessments. While an assessment from one of the provincial services listed below can be presented to any employer in Canada, its is for advice only. Employers, regulating bodies and educational institutions have no legal obligation to accept it.

 
What about employment in regulated professions and trades?

In Canada, approximately 20 percent of occupations are regulated to protect the health and safety of Canadians (e.g. nurse, dentist, engineer, teacher, electrician). People who want to work in regulated occupations need to obtain a license from a provincial regulatory body. Licensing requirements often include education from a recognized school, Canadian work experience, and completion of a technical exam. If you want to know more about the entry requirements for a specific province, you need to contact the provincial licensing body responsible for that occupation.

 
Where can I write to get an assessment?

Please note that the Canadian visa office is not responsible for these assessment services and will NOT be able to provide you with information about the services. If you would like more information about educational assessment services, you should contact one of the evaluation services below. If possible, it is advisable to contact the service located in the province in which you plan to settle:

International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) 4th Floor, 9940-106 Street Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA T5K 2N2 IQAS Services Province of Saskatchewan Telephone: (780) 427-2655 Facsimile: (780) 422-9734 Email: [email protected] http://www.learning.gov.ab.ca/iqas/iqas.asp/	International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) 4355 Mathissi Place Burnaby, British Columbia, CANADA V5G 4S8 Telephone: (604) 431-3402 Facsimile: (604) 431-3382 Email: [email protected] http://www.ola.bc.ca/ices
Service des équivalences Direction des équivalences et de l'administration des ententes de sécurité sociale Immigration Québec 360, rue McGill, rez-de-chausesée Montréal, Québec, CANADA H2Y 2E9 Telephone: (514) 873-5647 Facsimile: (514) 873-8701 Email: [email protected] http://www.immq.gouv.qc.ca	World Education Services Academic Credential Assessment Service 45 Charles Street East, Suite 700 Toronto, Ontario M4Y 1S2 Telephone: (416) 972-0070 Facsimile: (416) 972-9004 Toll Free: 1-866-343-0070 http://www.wes.org/ca

 
Where can I get further information?

If you plan to settle in Ontario or Manitoba, you should contact one of the offices below. These offices do not assess credentials, but can provide information and referral related to accessing occupations in Ontario and Manitoba.

Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Access to Professions and Trades Unit 900 Bay Street, 12th floor Toronto, Ontario, CANADA M7A 1L2 Telephone: (416) 326-9714 Facsimile: (416) 326-6265 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.equalopportunity.on.ca

Culture, Heritage and Citizenship Immigration Credentials Branch 5-213 Notre Dame Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba, CANADA, R3B IN3 Telephone: (204) 945-6300 Facsimile: (204) 948-2148 http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/immsettl

The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) provides advice to individuals on what they need to do to have their academic or professional credentials assessed in Canada. CICIC refers individuals to the appropriate institutions and organizations for specific assistance. CICIC does NOT grant equivalencies or assess credentials. For further information please contact:

The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials
95 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite 1106
Toronto, Ontario, CANADA M4V 1N6
Telephone: (416) 962-9725
Facsimile: (416) 962-2800
E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.cicic.ca

 
Additional Websites for further information

IQAS-Alberta -- http://www.learning.gov.ab.ca/iqas/iqas.asp/
ICES-British Colombia -- http://www.ola.bc.ca/ices
Immigration Credentials, Winnipeg -- http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/immsettl
CICIC -- http://www.cicic.ca
Fact Sheets on Occupations: Ontario -- http://www.equalopportunity.on.ca
Citizenship and Immigration Canada -- http://www.cic.gc.ca
Quebec government -- http://www.immq.gouv.qc.ca

  Author: Federal-Provincial Working Group on Access to Trades and Professions

 
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