The US doesn’t have one national office that recognizes foreign degrees. Employers, universities and state licensing boards each decide what they accept, which is why the process can feel confusing.
Two main types of evaluation
| Type | What it shows | Often used for |
|---|---|---|
| Document-by-document | US equivalent of your degree | Employers, some visas |
| Course-by-course | Every course, US credits and a GPA | Graduate school, professional licensing |
Choosing an evaluator
Ask whoever needs the report which services they accept. Many recognize members of NACES or AICE. Processing usually takes a few weeks after they receive your documents.
Licensed professions
Medicine, nursing, law, teaching, engineering, accounting and several other fields need a state license. That usually means exams and sometimes extra US training. Contact the licensing board in the state where you plan to work before you do anything else.
