ECA Canada 2025: Which Designated Body to Use for Your Degree

Your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is one of the most important documents you will submit for Canadian immigration — it determines how many CRS points you earn and whether your foreign degree qualifies you for Express Entry at all. Choosing the wrong designated body for your ECA Canada application can cost you months of processing time and, in some cases, force you to start the entire process over.

This guide breaks down every designated body approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for 2025, explains which organization is right for your situation, and walks you through exactly what to expect at each stage of the process.

What Is an ECA and Why Does It Matter for Express Entry?

An educational credential assessment is an official evaluation of your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate that confirms it is equivalent to a Canadian standard. IRCC does not evaluate foreign credentials itself — instead, it relies on a list of approved designated bodies to make that determination on its behalf.

For Express Entry, an ECA directly affects your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score under the human capital factors. Here is what the points look like in practice:

The difference between a one-year diploma and a master's degree assessment is 42 CRS points for a single applicant — a gap that can easily mean the difference between receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and waiting indefinitely in the pool.

The Seven IRCC-Designated Bodies and What They Assess

As of 2025, IRCC recognizes seven designated bodies for the purpose of Express Entry and other federal immigration programs. Each has a specific scope — submitting to the wrong one can result in a rejected or incomplete assessment.

1. World Education Services (WES) Canada

WES Canada is by far the most widely used designated body for ECA Canada applications. It assesses degrees, diplomas, and certificates from virtually every country and field of study, making it the default choice for most applicants. WES offers two products: a Document-by-Document evaluation (which confirms equivalency for each credential) and a Course-by-Course evaluation (which provides a detailed transcript analysis). For Express Entry, the Document-by-Document report is sufficient.

• Standard processing time: 7 business days after documents received
• Rush processing: available for an additional fee (approximately 3–4 business days)
• Cost: approximately CAD $235 for a standard evaluation
• Accepts credentials from all countries and disciplines

2. Medical Council of Canada (MCC)

The MCC is the designated body exclusively for medical degrees and qualifications. If you hold an MBBS, MD, or equivalent medical degree and plan to work as a physician in Canada, you must use the MCC rather than WES. The MCC assessment is also a prerequisite for writing the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE).

3. Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC)

Pharmacists must use the PEBC to have their credentials assessed. The PEBC evaluates both pharmacy degrees and practical qualifications. Processing times can be longer than WES — plan for 8 to 12 weeks in many cases.

4. National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS)

Internationally trained nurses (registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and psychiatric nurses) must submit their credentials to the NNAS. The NNAS produces an Advisory Report, which is then used by provincial nursing regulatory bodies to determine registration eligibility. Processing typically takes 10 to 16 weeks.

5. Engineers Canada

Engineers Canada assesses academic credentials for internationally trained engineers who hold a degree in engineering or a closely related field. However, note that Engineers Canada's designated body role for Express Entry is handled through its member organizations — specifically the Canadian Engineering Qualifications Board (CEQB). Many engineers still use WES for their ECA and pursue separate professional licensure through the applicable provincial engineering association.

6. Comparative Education Service (CES) — University of Toronto

CES is operated by the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies and provides assessments for academic credentials at all levels. It is a solid alternative to WES for applicants with university-level credentials. Standard processing runs approximately 15 to 20 business days.

7. International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)

ICAS assesses a broad range of credentials including trade certificates, diplomas, and university degrees. It is particularly well-suited for applicants from countries that are less commonly processed by other organizations. Standard processing is approximately 15 business days.

How to Apply for Your ECA: Step-by-Step

The process is similar across most designated bodies, with WES used here as the primary example since it handles the majority of applications.

1. Create an online account. Go to the official WES website (wes.org/ca) and create an applicant account. Select "Immigration purposes" as your reason for applying to ensure you receive the correct report format recognized by IRCC.
2. Complete the application form. Fill in your personal information, list all post-secondary credentials you want evaluated, and select the countries and institutions where you studied.
3. Pay the application fee. Fees vary by product and number of credentials. Budget approximately CAD $235 to $350 depending on your evaluation type and the number of institutions involved.
4. Request official transcripts from your institution. Your university or institution must send transcripts directly to WES — most institutions do this via mail or secure electronic transfer. Do not send transcripts yourself. This step is frequently the longest, depending on how quickly your home institution responds.
5. Submit supporting documents. Depending on your country and institution, WES may require certified copies of your degree certificate or diploma in addition to transcripts. Check the WES document requirements tool for your specific country.
6. Track your application. WES provides an online dashboard where you can monitor the status of your application. You will receive email notifications at each stage.
7. Receive your ECA report. Once WES completes the assessment, you will receive a reference number. Enter this number into your Express Entry profile — IRCC will verify the assessment directly with WES electronically.
8. Enter your ECA details in your Express Entry profile. Log into your IRCC account, navigate to your Express Entry profile, and enter the WES reference number, assessment date, and equivalency result. The system will confirm the match automatically.

Common ECA Mistakes That Delay Your Application

After reviewing hundreds of Express Entry cases, these are the most frequent errors that set applicants back:

• Sending transcripts yourself: Official transcripts must come directly from your institution to the designated body. Transcripts sent by the applicant are rejected.
• Using an incorrect designated body: Regulated health professionals who use WES instead of their profession-specific body will have an assessment that IRCC will not accept for their occupation.
• Letting your ECA expire: ECA reports are valid for five years from the date of assessment. If yours is nearing expiry, start a new assessment before creating or renewing your Express Entry profile.
• Assessing only one of multiple credentials: If you hold a bachelor's degree and a post-graduate diploma, assessing both can increase your CRS score significantly. Evaluate all relevant credentials.
• Not selecting "immigration purposes" during application: This determines the report format. An academic or employment evaluation report will not satisfy IRCC requirements.

ECA Timelines and How to Plan Around Them

Your ECA is often the longest-lead item in an Express Entry application. While WES