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Part of IQAS for employment, education or licensure

Assessment for work or study – How to apply

Follow these steps to apply for an IQAS assessment for employment, education, or licensure.

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IQAS for employment, education or licensure

Assessment types and certificates

These types of assessments cannot be used for immigration purposes. Find out how to get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for Canadian immigration purposes.

International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) provides 3 different types of assessments for employment, education, or licensure purposes. Ensure that you know which type of assessment you need.

IQAS assessments do not list the Language of Instruction.

Table 1. Assessment types and certificates.

Assessment typeAssessment certificate
Assessment for employment (Basic) – useful if you are seeking general employment

It indicates:

  • the name of the institution that issued your credential
  • the degrees, diplomas or certificates received
  • the length of the program and the year your credential was awarded (conferred) 
  • a general statement about how your education compares to education in Canada
Assessment for admission to the first year of post-secondary programs (Educational) – useful for admission into specified universities, colleges or institutes in Alberta.

This assessment determines comparative high school level courses required for admission to post-secondary institutions based on your completed subjects

It indicates:

  • all the information from the Basic Assessment
  • level of achievement in specific high school subjects required for admission to the first year of post-secondary programs
Assessment for professional licensure and transfer credit (Specialized) – needed by specific universities, colleges or professional regulatory organizations in Alberta.

It indicates:

  • all the information from the Basic Assessment
  • hours or credits for each post-secondary course (subject)

How to apply

Step 1. Decide which credentials you want assessed

IQAS evaluates formal academic or technical education. It does not evaluate trades, vocational or professional training. Always check with your employer, educational institution, or professional regulatory organization about whether they require an IQAS assessment and what type of assessment is required.

Employment

If you are looking for a job, an IQAS assessment can help employers understand your educational credentials. You may attach a copy of your IQAS certificate to your resumé and job applications. You can request duplicate copies of your IQAS certificate if needed within 10 years from the issuance date of your original assessment.

Learn how to order duplicate certificate copies.

Education

Some universities and colleges need an IQAS assessment for admission.

Licensing

Some professional regulatory organizations use IQAS assessments for their licensing process.

Step 2. Gather your documents

For information on providing specific educational documents, carefully review the Country-Specific Document Requirements checklist:

  • If your country is listed on the checklist, provide the documents indicated based on the credential you want assessed.
  • If your country is not listed on the checklist, provide the documents as described below.
  • Do not send original documents unless requested by IQAS.
  • IQAS is not responsible for original documents that have not been requested and will not return them if submitted.
  • The following documents must be uploaded in the portal using a clear and legible scan or digital photo:
    • passport, identity pages or alternative government-issued identification (if passport is unavailable)
    • proof of name change (if applicable)
      • needed only if your current name is different than the name on the educational documents
      • can be a photocopy of a marriage certificate, record of landing, passport, etc.
      • does not need to be a certified or notarized copy
    • educational documents you want assessed
      • include both your final educational credential and the transcripts or mark sheets for the study
    • translations for all documents you are uploading that are not in English
  • When submitting your online application, upload all required documents in the ‘Document Checklist’ section. Name your uploads clearly and ensure you match the upload to the applicable document on the checklist. If you do not upload a required document, you will be contacted when the application is reviewed.
  • If you are in a refugee-like situation, provide any documentation you have that reflects the education you completed outside of Canada. IQAS will review your documents and undertake research to determine if we can complete an assessment.

  • Assessment for employment (Basic) – Required documents

    • final official degree, diploma, certificate
    • academic transcript or official document listing all subjects taken and grades earned for each year of study

  • Assessment for admission to post-secondary programs (Educational) – Required documents

    • final secondary (high) school diploma or equivalent credential
      • Equivalent credential refers to a credential that includes your secondary (high) school education. This could include credentials such as a technical/vocational diploma if your high school education was part of such a program.
    • academic transcript or official document listing all subjects taken and grades earned for each year of study

    For best assessment outcomes, you may also wish to provide post-secondary credentials at an additional cost of $100 per credential. Each post-secondary credential must include final official degree, diploma or certificate and the academic transcript.

  • Assessment for professional licensure (Specialized) – Required documents

    • final official degree, diploma, certificate
    • academic transcript or official documents showing all the courses you took to earn your post-secondary credential and the number of credits or hours of study for each course (subject)

  • Assessment for employment (Basic) – Fees

    Application fee: $130, plus $100 for each additional degree or credential

    Courier fees to an address:

    • in Canada: $25
    • outside of Canada: $90

    An additional cost of $100 is required to assess the National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) course work report. Make sure you include the course work report with your application if you are using the IQAS assessment for NDAEB.

  • Assessment for admission to post-secondary programs (Educational) – Fees

    Application fee: $160, plus $100 for each additional degree or credential

    Courier fees to an address:

    • in Canada: $25
    • outside of Canada: $90

  • Assessment for professional licensure (Specialized) – Fees

    Application fee: $230, plus $100 for each additional degree or credential

    Courier fees to an address:

    • in Canada: $25
    • outside of Canada: $90

Cost for more than one applicant

You cannot apply as a group. Each applicant must apply separately, create a personal account for the IQAS application, and pay separate application and courier fees, even if applicants reside at the same household.

Cost for additional credentials

The application fees are for one credential. The cost of each additional credential submitted with the application is $100 per credential.

One credential is defined as one educational program (partially or fully completed) leading to a certificate, diploma or degree and includes the submission of official degree, diploma or certificate and the corresponding academic transcript/marks sheet.

Refunds

Refund requests for fees will not be considered. The application fee covers the cost of processing your application and is required whether an assessment certificate is issued or not.

Submit the application

  1. Complete and submit the online application using the IQAS application portal. Make sure that you request the correct assessment type and submit the correct fees. Assessment for employment, post-secondary study, and licensure cannot be used for immigration purposes. You must submit an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) application if you need an assessment to immigrate to Canada.
  2. Make sure your application is complete and you have uploaded clear and legible scans or digital photos of the required documents.

  3. While filling in the online form, you will be asked to pay the processing fee – payment options include:

    • Visa, MasterCard
    • American Express
    • Visa debit
    • Debit

    Instructions on how to pay your fees are available in the IQAS application portal.

  4. After you submit your online application, you will receive an email from IQAS:
    • with your file number and a final PDF version of your application
    • containing your payment receipt
  5. Print the payment receipt for your records.

You do not need to print, sign, and send your paper application form to IQAS. Applicants sign their form electronically as part of submitting the application.

Start your online application

After you apply

  • Delivery address

    If your mailing address is in Canada, IQAS will mail your documents to a Canada Post Office near you. You will receive a Delivery Notice Card from Canada Post letting you know that your package is available for pick up. Canada Post keeps packages for 15 business days. You will need to collect your package on time and show proper identification.

    If your mailing address is outside of Canada, your package will be delivered directly to your address.

  • View certificate

    If IQAS has reviewed your credentials and issued an assessment, you may also view, download and print the scanned copy of your certificate in the IQAS application portal. This feature is only accessible once an application is at 'Mailed' status.

    To view your certificate:

    • After you log into the IQAS application portal, click on 'Check Status or View Application' button on the portal main page.
    • On the 'Application History' tab, click on 'View Certificate' button which is under the blue 'Actions' dropdown. You can also click on 'View Status Details' button under the 'Actions' drop down and download your certificate from 'View Status Details' section. Make sure your browser’s pop up function is turned off and settings allow for pop ups.

  • Change address or cancel your application

    If your address changes before an assessment is completed, you must update your profile information in the IQAS application portal:

    To update your mailing address

    • After you log in to the IQAS application portal, click on ‘Update mailing address’ on the portal main page.
    • The contact information that IQAS currently has for you is provided. To update your address and phone number, replace the existing information with your new information. Do not delete any information that is still correct.
    • Click on ‘Update’ button.

    Changes to your contact information will be reflected in your profile in the IQAS application portal.

    Cancelling your application

    You may also submit a request to cancel your application in the IQAS application portal. Once you have submitted a request to cancel your application, it cannot be reactivated. Application and courier fees are non-refundable.

    Applications that are at the following statuses in the IQAS application portal cannot be cancelled:

    • Assessing
    • On-Hold
    • Final Review
    • Mailed

    To cancel your application:

    1. After you log into the IQAS application portal, click on ‘Request to Cancel Application’ on the portal main page.
    2. Fill in the required fields and provide the reason for cancelation.
    3. Click on ‘Submit’ button.

  • Request a name change

    If you need to update your name on the assessment certificate, you must submit a request in the IQAS application portal:

    To request a name change

    1. After you log into the IQAS application portal, click on ‘Request Name Change’ on the portal main page.
    2. Enter your new legal name in the fields provided. You must provide official proof of your new name by uploading the supporting document and selecting the type of supporting document from the drop-down menu.
    3. Click on ‘Submit’ button.

    IQAS will review your request for a name change and notify you by email after the review is completed. You can track the status of your request by clicking ‘Check Status or View Application’ on the portal main page and clicking ‘Request History’ tab.

  • If IQAS needs more information

    You will be contacted by email, phone, or mail if IQAS needs any additional documents or information. Emails from IQAS will always come from a @gov.ab.ca account.

    IQAS reserves the right to require original documents to verify your identity or education at any time after applying, and those documents will be returned to you after the assessment is completed.

  • If IQAS cannot complete your assessment

    Your application will be cancelled if IQAS cannot complete an assessment. IQAS will let you know if your application has been cancelled.

  • Request a duplicate certificate

    IQAS only issues duplicate certificates for the same type of assessment that was previously completed. Duplicate certificates can be ordered for up to 10 years after the assessment was completed.

    Read more on how to order a duplicate certificate.

Reassessment process

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your assessment, you may submit a request for reassessment. All requests for reassessment cost $200.

For information see IQAS reassessment process.

Processing time

What affects processing time

  • Processing time starts when all required documents are provided to IQAS and your application is at the 'In line for processing' status in the IQAS application portal.
  • If your application is at the ‘Pending’ status for additional documents in the IQAS application portal, IQAS will hold the application for 5 business days after which it will be reviewed for cancellation.
  • On average, an assessment takes about 20 business days to process once an application is at the 'In line for processing' status in the IQAS application portal. Note, processing times are estimates only and not guaranteed. They may change based on the number of applications received. IQAS receives a high volume of applications.
  • On average, an assessment for professional licensure (Specialized) is issued within 15 business days once an application is at the 'In line for processing' status in the IQAS application portal.
  • Assessment of applications that require extensive research take longer than the average processing time.
  • Applications are processed in the order they are received once all required documents are provided to IQAS.
  • Courier or mail delivery time is not included in the processing time.

Status updates on your application

You can track delivery of your mail to IQAS through your courier.

Monitor the status of your application in the IQAS application portal:

Table 2. Definitions of status

StatusWhat it means
DraftFill out and submit application.
Payment pendingYour online payment was not successful, or you did not make a payment.
SubmittedYou completed an online application and made online payment.
ReceivedYour online application has been reviewed for completeness.
PendingIQAS is waiting for transcripts/other documents, or delivered transcripts or documents were not processed yet. IQAS will only hold the application for 5 business days to receive required documents after which the application will be reviewed for cancellation.
In line for processingAll documents needed to start your assessment have been received.
AssessingYour credentials are being assessed.
On-HoldYour assessment cannot be completed until IQAS receives and logs additional documents, confirmation from educational institution etc.
Final reviewYour credentials have been assessed and the assessment result is undergoing final quality review.
MailedYour assessment was mailed to you.
CancelledYour application was cancelled following your request or because an assessment could not be completed.

Learn more about how IQAS completes assessments.

Contact

Connect with the International Qualifications Assessment Service:

Go to the Contact IQAS page

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