International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)

IQAS Provides a Range of Educational Assessment Services:

Basic Assessment

($100.00 fee) is most useful to individuals seeking general employment. This assessment will provide a certificate which indicates the level of education achieved outside of Canada and how the education compares to Canadian credentials. The information presented on the certificate includes:

• the name of the institution(s) attended
• the degree(s), diploma(s) or certificate(s) received
• the length of the program
• the area(s) of specialization and
• a general statement about the comparative levels of achievement in Canada

A sample basic assessment is available for viewing here.

Description of Course Work

($200.00 fee) also provides a certificate which includes the same information as the basic assessment, with an additional listing of courses completed and credits earned (sometimes expressed in terms of hours of study). This assessment is designed for individuals who have completed formal academic course work at the post-secondary level. The Description of Course Work is useful for individuals who want to show a specific area of specialization. Some professional licensing bodies and educational institutions use the IQAS Description of Course Work in their credential review process. Please contact the professional licensing body or educational institution you wish to enter to ensure that they accept IQAS assessments. Note that the Description of Course Work requires official documentation indicating courses taken and the number of credits or hours of study. IQAS will not be able to complete the assessment unless this information is supplied. The $200.00 fee includes a detailed assessment of one credential (degree or diploma) only. There is a fee of $75.00 for each additional credential that you would like a detailed assessment on.

A sample detailed assessment is available for viewing here.

Assessment For Educational Institution

($100.00 fee) provides an evaluation for admission into specified post-secondary educational institutions in Alberta or Saskatchewan. The assessment will evaluate an individual's course work to determine how it compares to Alberta or Saskatchewan high school courses. The results of this evaluation are listed in an assessment table which indicates the level of achievement in specific high school courses required for admission into a post-secondary program. Please contact the post-secondary institution you wish to enter to ensure that they accept IQAS assessments. We will send a copy of the assessment to the educational institution when it is completed.

A sample assessment for educational institutions is available for viewing here.

What about professional organizations and educational institutions?

IQAS assessments are advisory only and do not limit a professional association or educational institution from making its own determination of educational levels and credits earned. For many professional associations and post-secondary institutions, an educational assessment is just one of many factors that is used to determine admission. Many professional associations and post-secondary institutions conduct their own educational assessments. Always contact the professional associations and post-secondary institutions before applying to IQAS. It is your responsibility to ensure in advance that the post-secondary institution or professional association that you wish to enter will accept your IQAS assessment certificate. Specific questions concerning the requirements or procedures for registration or licensure, employment or admissions should be directed to the appropriate professional association/licensing board, employer or post-secondary institution.

Cost for Assessment (Canadian funds please):

What if I want more than one type of assessment?

Individuals who require more than one type of assessment, or who receive an assessment and then later decide to upgrade to another assessment type, will be charged an upgrade fee. The upgrade fee will be less than the full assessment fee. Please contact IQAS for further information on upgrade fees.

What documents do I need to submit?

Original certificates(s)/diploma(s)/degree(s) and transcripts/marksheets/grade reports are required for an IQAS assessment.

Certified copies may be accepted in some circumstances. However, when certified copies are used for an assessment, this will be clearly indicated on the assessment certificate. When deemed necessary, IQAS reserves the right to request original documents. All original documents will be returned to you with your completed IQAS assessment.

In addition to providing one set of originals (or certified copies), all individuals are responsible for submitting one additional set of photocopies of all educational documents. Please ensure that both sides of your educational documents are photocopied.

For Description of Course Work official documentation indicating the number of hours or credits of course study are required for IQAS to conduct the assessment. 

For an Assessment for Educational Institution, secondary/high school documents are required in addition to university/college documents.

Please note that an assessment cannot be completed until all documentation is submitted and it is the responsibility of the customer to obtain the documentation required for their assessment.

Individuals whose current name is different from the name on their educational documents (e.g., through marriage) must submit a photocopy of proof of their name change (e.g., marriage certificate, record of landing).

Any new educational documents submitted after an assessment has been completed will be subject to a re-evaluation fee.

Do I need to have an English translation of my documents?

English translations are required. All English translations must be completed, word-for-word, and in the same format as the original documents. IQAS will review them to determine their acceptability. Please note that IQAS does not do translating.

What if my assessment is cancelled?

IQAS will issue a partial refund to individuals who cancel their assessment application before IQAS has begun working on their assessment file. When issuing a partial refund, IQAS will retain a $50.00 administration fee and the customer will be refunded the remaining balance of the assessment fee. In cases where IQAS is unable to complete assessments because:

• there is insufficient documentation
• the educational credential was obtained through a non-recognized institution

IQAS will retain a $50.00 administration fee and the customer will be refunded the remaining balance.

No refunds will be issued in cases where:

• An assessment is cancelled after IQAS has begun processing the assessment.
• IQAS determines that altered, tampered or forged documents have been submitted for assessment.
• IQAS finds that the translation of a document falsely represents the original.

What if I am not satisfied with the results of the IQAS assessment?

IQAS has a reassessment process. IQAS customers must submit their request for a reassessment in writing within one year of the date the assessment certificate/report was issued. A fee of $75.00 is required for a reassessment. Please contact IQAS for an information sheet on our reassessment procedures.

Revision date: Monday, October 09, 2000