International Credential Evaluation for US Professional Licensure
Important: This guide provides general information for foreign-trained professionals seeking US licensure. International licensing pathways change frequently. Always verify requirements directly with the credential evaluation agency, state licensing board, and — for visa questions — a qualified immigration attorney. LicenseMap does not provide legal or immigration advice.
If you earned a professional degree outside the United States, credential evaluation is one of the first steps toward US licensure. This process verifies that your international education meets standards comparable to a US degree in your field. Different professions use different evaluation agencies — this guide explains who does what and how to get started.
How Credential Evaluation Works
Credential evaluation agencies compare your foreign education and professional qualifications against US standards. The process typically involves:
- Document submission: You provide official transcripts, diplomas, and license verifications — usually sent directly from your institution to the evaluation agency.
- Verification: The agency contacts your institution(s) to confirm the authenticity and content of your documents.
- Evaluation: Your credentials are assessed against US equivalency standards for your field.
- Report: You receive an evaluation report that can be submitted to state licensing boards, employers, or educational institutions.
General Credential Evaluation Agencies
These agencies evaluate international education across all fields. They are commonly used when a state board requires a general education evaluation, or when your profession does not have a dedicated evaluation agency.
World Education Services (WES)
General credential evaluation for international degrees — accepted by most US state boards and institutions
Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
Credential evaluation and advisory services for international students and professionals
Profession-Specific Evaluation Agencies
Many licensed professions have dedicated evaluation agencies that are required (or strongly preferred) by state licensing boards. These agencies have specialized expertise in evaluating international credentials for their specific field.
Nursing (RN, LPN, NP)
CGFNS International is the primary credential evaluation agency for internationally educated nurses. Most state boards of nursing require a CGFNS evaluation. CGFNS also issues the VisaScreen Certificate required for employment-based immigration visas.
CGFNS International
Credential evaluation, VisaScreen, and Certificates Program for internationally educated nurses
Read the full international RN licensing guide →
Physicians (MD/DO)
The ECFMG handles credential verification for international medical graduates (IMGs). ECFMG certification is required before entering any ACGME-accredited residency program. The NBME administers the USMLE exams required for physician licensure.
ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates)
Certification pathway for international medical graduates seeking US residency and licensure
NBME (National Board of Medical Examiners)
Administers USMLE examinations required for physician licensure in the United States
Read the full international physician licensing guide →
Dentists
Dentistry does not have a single dedicated credential evaluation agency. Most foreign-trained dentists must apply directly to advanced standing programs at CODA-accredited dental schools, which evaluate credentials as part of admissions. A general evaluation from WES or ECE may also be needed for the education component.
Read the full international dentist licensing guide →
Pharmacists
The FPGEC (Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee) under NABP certifies foreign pharmacy graduates. FPGEC certification includes credential evaluation, the FPGEE exam, and English proficiency verification.
FPGEC (Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee)
Certification program for pharmacy graduates from outside the US seeking state licensure
Read the full international pharmacist licensing guide →
Physical Therapists
The FCCPT evaluates international physical therapy education for US equivalency. FCCPT credential evaluation is required by most state physical therapy boards before allowing internationally educated PTs to sit for the NPTE.
FCCPT (Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy)
Credential evaluation for internationally educated physical therapists seeking US licensure
Read the full international PT licensing guide →
Veterinarians
The ECFVG (Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates) under the AVMA certifies graduates of non-AVMA- accredited veterinary schools. ECFVG certification is required for state veterinary licensure.
ECFVG (AVMA Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates)
Certification program for veterinary graduates from non-AVMA-accredited schools
Professional Engineers
NCEES provides credential evaluation services for internationally educated engineers and surveyors. The evaluation determines whether your engineering education is substantially equivalent to an ABET-accredited US program.
NCEES (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying)
Credentials evaluation for internationally educated engineers and surveyors
Architects
NCARB evaluates international architecture education. The Education Evaluation Services for Architects (EESA) program assesses whether foreign architectural education meets US equivalency standards.
NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards)
Education evaluation and certification for internationally trained architects
Certified Public Accountants (CPA)
NASBA International Evaluation Services evaluates foreign accounting education for CPA exam eligibility. Requirements vary significantly by state — some states accept credentials from WES or other NACES-member agencies as well.
NASBA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy)
International evaluation services for CPA exam candidates educated outside the US
Occupational Therapists
NBCOT handles certification for occupational therapists, including internationally educated candidates. Foreign-trained OTs must meet NBCOT eligibility requirements and pass the OTR exam.
NBCOT (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy)
Certification for occupational therapists including internationally educated candidates
Typical Credential Evaluation Costs
Costs vary by agency and profession. Below is a general reference:
| Agency | Profession | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|---|
| WES | General (all fields) | ~$205 |
| ECE | General (all fields) | ~$195 |
| CGFNS | Nursing | ~$350 |
| ECFMG | Physicians | ~$160 |
| FCCPT | Physical Therapy | ~$700 |
| FPGEC | Pharmacy | ~$1,500 |
| NCEES | Engineering | ~$350 |
Costs are approximate and subject to change. Additional fees may apply for rush processing, extra report copies, or document translation services.
Tips for a Smooth Evaluation Process
- Start early. Document gathering from international institutions is often the longest part. Request official transcripts as soon as possible.
- Check your state board first. Before choosing an evaluation agency, confirm which agencies your target state accepts. Some states only accept specific agencies.
- Get certified translations. Documents not in English typically need certified translations. Some agencies provide translation services; others require you to arrange this separately.
- Keep copies of everything. Maintain copies of all documents you submit and all correspondence with the evaluation agency.
- Order extra report copies. If you plan to apply in multiple states, order additional evaluation report copies during the initial process to save time and money.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is credential evaluation?
Credential evaluation is the process of comparing your foreign education and professional qualifications against US standards. An approved evaluation agency reviews your transcripts, degrees, and professional licenses to determine their US equivalency. This is typically required before you can apply for a US professional license.
What is the difference between WES and profession-specific evaluation agencies?
WES and ECE are general-purpose credential evaluation agencies that assess education from any field. Profession-specific agencies like CGFNS (nursing), ECFMG (physicians), FCCPT (physical therapy), and FPGEC (pharmacy) evaluate credentials specifically for their profession and are often required by state licensing boards. Many professionals need both a general education evaluation and a profession-specific one.
How long does credential evaluation take?
Processing times vary by agency. General evaluations through WES or ECE typically take 2-4 weeks for standard processing, with rush options available. Profession-specific evaluations can take longer — CGFNS and FCCPT evaluations may take 2-8 months depending on how quickly your institutions respond to verification requests.
Can I use one credential evaluation for multiple states?
In most cases, yes. Once an approved agency completes your evaluation, the report can be sent to multiple state licensing boards. However, some states have specific requirements about which evaluation agencies they accept, so verify with each state board before starting the process.
What if my credential evaluation finds deficiencies in my education?
If gaps are identified between your foreign education and US standards, you may need to complete additional coursework at a US-accredited institution. The evaluation report will typically identify specific areas where supplementary education is needed. Some professions (like dentistry) may require completing an advanced standing program regardless of evaluation results.
International Licensing Guides by Profession
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Physician (IMG)
- Dentist
- Pharmacist
- Physical Therapist
- Professional Engineer (PE)
- Architect
- CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
- Veterinarian
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- Occupational Therapist
- Speech-Language Pathologist
- Psychologist
- Dental Hygienist
- Radiologic Technologist