Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Why do I need my credentials assessed?
- Who recognizes a CES letter of assessment?
- How do I find out if a professional organization will accept a CES assessment?
- What documents will I need to submit?
- What qualifications are not assessed?
- How do I complete the application form?
- Do my transcripts need to be sent by my former school?
- Do I need to translate my documents if they are not in English or French?
- How can I get an official translation?
- Does CES provide a course-by-course assessment?
- What if I submit insufficient documentation?
- Can I submit my documents by e-mail?
- Does CES verify documents submitted for assessment?
- Who covers the costs for degree verification?
- What information will be included in my assessment letter?
- How does CES determine the Canadian equivalency of my credentials?
- For how long will the letter be valid?
- Can I obtain additional signed copies of the letter?
- Can CES send my assessment letter directly to a 3rd party?
- What if I find an omission or error on my letter of assessment?
- What happens if I disagree with the assessment?
- If I am not happy with the assessment, can I get a refund?
- If I paid for Rush service and my documents require verification, will the Rush service fee be refunded?
- How long does it take to obtain a Rush assessment?
- Is it possible to upgrade from Regular to Rush service at a later date?
- What should I do if I change my address?
- Should additional documentation or information be required, for how long will CES keep my file open?
- Can I pick up my assessment letter in person?
Answers
- Why do I need my credentials assessed?
As most employers are not familiar with international systems of education, it is important to present them with a letter outlining what your academic qualifications mean in terms of the Canadian educational system. Many professional associations and government agencies will want a better understanding of your level of education and how it equates to what is available in Canada. In addition, there are many “diploma mills” (institutions that claim to be accredited but are not) and internet sites that sell fake documents. It is becoming increasingly necessary to provide evidence that you hold valid educational credentials. - Who recognizes a CES letter of assessment?
As a service that is offered by the University of Toronto, Canada’s foremost university, CES letters are highly valued by employers and immigration agencies, lawyers, government departments, corporations, health care institutions and executive search firms in North America and beyond. CES assessments satisfy the requirements for Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the Canadian Armed Forces, and the NAFTA agreement for employment permits in the United States (for example, our letters are often requested to obtain a TN Visa). CES is recognized by the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC)and abides by their General Guiding Principles for Good Practice. - How do I find out if a professional organization will accept a CES assessment?
You should contact the regulatory body of your profession first to find out what their requirements are. If they do not conduct their own assessments, you should ask them if they accept assessments from the Comparative Education Service. You may be able to find information regarding your association on the Professional Associations list on the CES website. - What documents will I need to submit?
Please provide two sets of documents for each program of study you attended. For example, if you have a Ph.D degree, copies of all the degrees/diplomas/transcripts earned prior to this program are required. You may not select to exclude certain qualifications from the assessment procedure. For detailed information, please check Required Documents by Country of Education.If your current name is different from the one on your documents, we will require legal proof of name change (for instance, a marriage certificate). If your educational documents are in a language other than English or French, we require official translations of all of them, including name change documents. Note that a literal translation, not an interpretive translation, is required. CES will accept translations done in Canada or in any country outside of Canada, provided they are done by a professional translator.If you do not have copies of your transcripts, contact your former institution to obtain them. CES cannot request transcripts from institutions on your behalf.You will need to download the CES Assessment Application form and instructions. All applications must be signed by the person whose name appears on the academic documents. Requests for evaluation by third parties will not be processed without written approval of the person whose name appears on the documents. Unsigned forms will be returned to clients. Furthermore, if the application package is not complete, all documents and payment will be returned.Remember to include two sets of your educational documents with the application form.
- What qualifications are not assessed?
CES does not assess apprenticeship or trade certificates/diplomas, vocational training (e.g. City & Guilds or NVQ/National Vocational Qualifications), in-company training, memberships in professional associations, professional or vocational licenses, medical specializations, second-language training programs (e.g. ESL), or work experience. Only an appropriate professional association and/or licensing body can determine whether such qualifications meet equivalent Canadian standards. Please consult our website for a list of professional associations. - How do I complete the application form?
List all the institutions that you attended along with the degrees/diplomas that you received and attendance dates. Start by listing the first postsecondary program you completed and finish by listing the most recent program attended. Use the names of the degrees/diplomas as they appear on your documents. Do not translate the names of your degrees/diplomas into Canadian terminology. Please read all the conditions at the bottom of the application form before you sign it. To ensure that your application package is complete, check the list of required documents. - Do my transcripts need to be sent by my former school?
CES accepts photocopies of original documents. Note that you may be required to bring in your original documents for examination. - Do I need to translate my documents if they are not in English or French?
If your documents were not originally issued in either English or French, you must provide literal, not interpretative, translations of your documents, preferably in the same format as the original. The translation must be completed by a certified translator, but does not need to be notarized. Photocopies of original translations are accepted. CES accepts translations done outside of Canada if they were done by a professional translator. CES does not accept translations done by the applicant.Remember to include copies of your documents in the original language along with translations. - How can I get an official translation?
If your documents are not already translated, please contact the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario at http://www.atio.on.ca. We do not endorse any particular translators or translation agencies. If your documents have already been translated, you may submit them as part of your application package. An official translation must contain the contact information for the translator and their stamp. Photocopies of official translations are accepted. Note that a literal translation, not an interpretive translation, is required. - Does CES provide a course-by-course assessment?
We do not provide course-by-course assessments at this time. This service may resume in the future. Please check our website for updated information. - What if I submit insufficient documentation?
If an incomplete application is received, CES returns it to the client by regular mail along with the payment. - Can I submit my documents by e-mail?
No. CES accepts complete applications only by mail, courier or in person. - Does CES verify documents submitted for assessment?
All documents submitted are examined for authenticity and requests for their verification are sent to the awarding institutions. Verifying the documents is one of the best ways of assuring the authenticity of educational credentials. CES assessments are recognized much more widely because of this additional step that we take in the assessment procedure. You will be required to pay any fees associated with the verification of your documents. It is an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada to present fraudulent documents or qualifications. In cases where falsification or alteration of a document is discovered, no assessment is issued and any letters are rescinded. Furthermore, your fee will not be refunded and other credential assessment agencies will be notified. - Who covers the costs for degree verification?
CES writes to your former university or college to obtain verification. Many universities provide verification free of charge. If the institution requires a fee for verification, you will be notified. Any additional fees associated with the document verification are your responsibility. - What information will be included in my assessment letter?
The documents reviewed in the assessment process are listed in the introduction of the assessment letter. CES checks the recognition status of the institution where the education was completed, as well as that of the degree obtained. The assessment letter states what level of academic achievement the credential is comparable to in the Canadian system of education. The assessment is a comparison of the level of the award itself, with no comment on specific courses or grades achieved. On occasion, it may be necessary to combine two different qualifications in a single letter. If the documents submitted were received directly from your former institution, or were verified by your institution, this information will also be included in your letter of assessment. CES considers a transcript or academic record to be “official” if it is an original document, signed or sealed by the relevant authority, and was sent to our office directly by the issuing institution in a sealed envelope. The term “verified” means that the documents provided for assessment have been confirmed as authentic. The Comparative Education Service sends copies of the documents provided to us for assessment back to the institution where the student completed his or her education to request verification. We list the documents that have been verified when we receive a positive response. - How does CES determine the Canadian equivalency of my credentials?
CES has an extensive library of reference materials which is updated regularly and conducts original research to track ongoing changes in educational systems and degree structures worldwide. CES resource materials include the International Handbook of Universities, the Commonwealth Universities Yearbook and the World List of Universities, to name a few. CES consults other experts in international and Canadian education, and special publications regarding educational systems around the world, ministries of education and other government agencies, of various countries, as well as contact embassies and consulates. - For how long will the letter be valid?
In the same way that your educational documents have no expiry date, the assessment letter also is considered to be valid indefinitely. It is important to bear in mind, however, that educational systems both in Canada and elsewhere are constantly changing, and if your qualifications are assessed at a later date, the equivalency may also have changed. - Can I obtain additional signed copies of the letter?
Additional signed copies of the letter may be ordered at the time of the original assessment or at a later date, provided that CES has an electronic copy of your letter on file. The charge is $30.00 + applicable taxes = $33.90 for each additional set of letters of assessment (a set includes all assessment letters issued to you). Please use the Additional Copies Order Form. - Can CES send my assessment letter directly to a 3rd party?
Yes. Please use the 3rd Party Order Form. For the cost associated with this service, check the service fees page. - What if I find an omission or error on my letter of assessment?
The Comparative Education Service will issue a corrected letter of assessment if an error or omission has been made. Please note, however, that we are only able to do this within 6 months of the original date of the letter. - What happens if I disagree with the assessment?
It is not uncommon that when you move from one country to another, your qualifications will mean something different in your new country. The Comparative Education Service follows established methodology and guidelines that conform to the General Guiding Principles for Good Practice in the Assessment of Foreign Credentials of the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) and reflect the placement practices of Canadian universities.The CES Credentials Assessors are experts in international educational systems. The Credentials Assessor takes many factors into account before issuing a result and will explain to you how the outcome was reached if you inquire. If you still disagree with the assessment that you received, you can initiate a formal appeal. The appeal must be submitted in writing within 30 days of the date your letter of assessment was issued. In your appeal letter, please state your reasons for disagreeing with the outcome and also provide documentation that supports your claims. Your appeal will be reviewed by a senior assessor. Once this second review is completed, you will be notified of the outcome of the review in writing. The fee for the appeal is $169.50 ($150 + 13% HST), which should be included with your appeal letter. If your appeal is successful, a revised letter of assessment will be issued and the $169.50 ($150 + 13% HST) fee will be refunded.
- If I am not happy with the assessment, can I get a refund?
No. A statement indicating that fees are non-refundable is recorded on the application form above the signature line. No refunds are issued, even if the letter states that your credentials are not recognized. As part of the service, CES spends time and resources researching and assessing your qualifications and determining their legitimacy. - If I paid for Rush service and my documents require verification, will the Rush service fee be refunded?
No. CES makes every effort to complete Rush assessments within the stated time frame. If the documents you submitted do not conform to what is normally expected from that institution, CES may need to contact your former university or college for additional information about the program you completed or to request verification. The institutions contacted may take some time to respond and it is beyond CES’ ability to complete your assessment within the stated time frame. CES cannot issue a refund for the Rush service when the delay is beyond its control. - How long does it take to obtain a Rush assessment?
This service takes up to five business days, provided that all necessary documents have been received and that they do not require verification. On rare occasion, we are unable to complete an assessment within this time frame due to the need to contact your former institution for information. You will be notified as soon as possible if your assessment cannot be completed within five business days. - Is it possible to upgrade from Regular to Rush service at a later date?
Yes. To request an upgrade, please complete a new application form, select the Rush service and submit it to CES with the appropriate payment, which is the difference between the amount you have paid and the advertised fee for Rush service. For detailed information on our services and service fees, please see the Services Provided section on the website. Note that CES may require you to present original documents for review when applying for an upgrade. - What should I do if I change my address?
If your mailing address has changed before you receive the assessment letter, contact CES immediately in writing with your updated information: fax 416-978-2185 or email learn@utoronto.ca with your full name, your previous address and your new address. - Should additional documentation or information be required, for how long will CES keep my file open?
In order to accurately complete your assessment, it may be necessary for CES to correspond with your educational institution(s) requesting additional supporting documentation or information. CES will keep your file open for a maximum of six months from the date it is first received for assessment. After that six-month time period, if we still have not been able to obtain the necessary documentation or information from your educational institution(s), we will close your file and send you a note listing the outstanding documentation/information. The fees you paid will not be refunded; however, should you be successful within an additional six month period in obtaining and providing us with the missing documentation/information, we will complete your assessment at no additional charge. - Can I pick up my assessment letter in person?
No. All assessment letters will be shipped in the delivery manner you indicate in your application. For costs associated with various shipping options, check the service fees page.
