ICES - Blueprint Academy

The International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) is the provincially mandated credential evaluation service in British Columbia. It is also a member of the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada (ACESC).

ICES offers a service which authenticates documents, conducts research based on well-established methodologies, and then issues an evaluation report that provides a recommendation of the comparability of education earned outside of Canada to the Canadian education system.

ICES compares education earned outside of Canada to the general education ladder in Canada; the reports offer a general comparability of the years and levels of study.

ICES recommendations are set by considering several factors including:

The minimum academic credential one must hold in order to be admitted to the program.
The level and duration of the program.
The program of study to which the credential provides access in the country of origin.
The recognition of the institution and program.

Who Benefits from ICES Evaluation Reports?

Individuals who have completed their education outside of BC and/or Canada
Licensing bodies
Educational institutions
Employers and employment agencies
Government services
Immigration organizations

Why are ICES Evaluation Reports so useful?

They help individuals pursue a variety of goals: career planning, job search, education, professional recognition, licensing, immigration, and more.
They help licensing bodies, employers, and educational institutions determine if and individual’s credentials meet requirements for licensure, employment, or admission.
They save organizations time and money by eliminating the need for extensive resources and research time to complete their own evaluations.

Application

Step 1: Meet the requirements

To apply, you must meet all of the document requirements such as:

(a) Colour copy of current, government issued photo identification document that indicates current legal name and date of birth. Submit one of the following: valid passport, national identification card or driver’s license. This document can be submitted directly by the applicant in the application portal.

(b) Colour copy of the front and back of each final award such as a degree, diploma or certificate. To begin the application, a PDF copy will act as a placeholder until the official document can be delivered directly from your educational institution or educational authority.

(c) Colour copy of the front and back of each academic record such as a transcript, marks cards, or diploma supplement. To begin the application, a PDF copy will act as a placeholder until the official document can be
delivered directly from your educational institution or educational authority.

(d) [Required for foreign language documents only] Copies of the literal (not interpretive) certified translations of each of the above documents into English. If ICES receives any document from that requires translation, ICES will contact you directly to request a translation.

NB: Please note that it is not necessary to submit the back of a document if it is blank.

Step 2: Understand the service fees

Make sure you understand the service fees required to apply and receive your evaluation.

Get more details here

Step 3: Apply online

Before you begin your online application, you should be prepared.

Online application checklist

Please note: each applicant must apply individually using a unique email address. You cannot apply as a family or couple.

Go through our simple checklist to make sure you are ready to apply:

(1) Know which credentials you want evaluated.
(2) Have colour copies of documents ready in PDF format (5MB maximum size per file). To begin the application, a PDF copy will only act as a placeholder until the official document can be delivered directly from your educational institution or educational authority.

Please have these PDF files prepared before application:

(i) Colour scans of identification
(ii) Colour scans of academic records or transcripts (this PDF will act as a placeholder until the official document arrives)
(iii) Colour scans of certificates, degrees or diplomas (this PDF will act as a placeholder until the official document arrives)
(iv) Translations of the above documents if they are not in English
(3) Have your credit card ready. Online applications only accept payment by credit card (Visa, Mastercard or American Express). You will be charged the applicable Service Fees. Don’t have a credit card? Apply by mail.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Do not create multiple accounts with different email addresses or if you already have a previous BCIT or ICES client number.

Multiple accounts with the same account information will generate an error message and delay your application. If you have problems with your account, please contact us immediately.

The online portal is set up for new clients that do not have a previous BCIT/ICES client number. For those who already have a previous BCIT student or ICES client number (ex. A01234567), you will need to apply by mail-in application form.

Processing time & application status

ECA processing times will depend on the current volume of applications. ICES is only able to provide estimates of processing times. Please note that these processing times only begin once we have received your official documents and full payment.

When you have completed your online application, you will be able to check your application status. You can find out more information on our application status page.

Updating a general evaluation to a ECA application

If you have already completed an online application for a general evaluation, you may apply for an updated report online. This option is available in the ECA application online portal.

When applying for the updated ECA report, please be sure to include a colour photocopy of current, government issued photo identification containing your legal name and date of birth (eg. passport, national identification card, or driver’s license).

ECAs must be based on official documents sent directly from your institution to our office.

Final delivery of your ECA report

Once your ECA report is completed by ICES, you have the choice to receive the final report by regular mail or by courier. We do not provide digital copies. The report will not be available on your online account nor is it sent by email. When applying via our online application portal, you will be asked to select regular mail or courier delivery service. Regular mail does not require payment of an extra fee. However, regular mail does not provide a tracking number. For an additional cost, ICES provides a courier delivery service that includes a tracking number.

ICES is not responsible for lost or misdirected mail. It is your responsibility to keep ICES informed if your contact information or postal address changes (in writing).

Courier deliveries cannot be made to post office box numbers. If your only address is a post office box, we will default to regular mail for the delivery of your assessment.