About the Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) Report
What is an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) Report?
An educational credential assessment (ECA) is a report that assesses whether an individual’s foreign educational credential is authentic and determines if it is equivalent to a Canadian educational credential.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses ECA reports to award immigration selection points or make program eligibility decisions for individuals who have completed their education outside Canada.
As part of the eligibility criteria for economic permanent residence programs, applicants must demonstrate that their foreign degrees, diplomas or certificates are authentic and equivalent to Canadian credentials.
Why You Need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from the CACB?
If you are planning to immigrate to Canada through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and you have identified “Architect” (NOC 21200) as your primary or intended occupation, you will need to obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB).
The CACB is the only professional body designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to assess the credentials of architects for immigration purposes.
How Many Points Will You Receive from Your ECA Report?
The Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) is not able to provide information about the immigration points system. If you have questions regarding your Express Entry profile or application, please contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) directly for assistance.
We recommend reviewing the resources linked below. The table provided outlines all possible outcomes of an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report and shows how many points you may earn under:
How to Use the Table:
- Select the points system you want to view.
- Enter your ECA result in the “Filter items” field. The table will adjust automatically to show matching results.
- Find the result that matches your ECA report.
- Your level of education and corresponding Express Entry points will be displayed beside it.
How Long Is an ECA Valid?
Your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is valid for five years from the date it was issued and must be less than five years old both when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you submit your application for permanent residence.
Steps after the Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) Report?
The Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report is intended solely for immigration purposes and is not valid for professional or academic certification in Canada. The ECA report confirms the equivalency of your academic credentials but does not qualify you to practice as an architect in Canada.
To become licensed and practice architecture in Canada, you have two main pathways through the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB):
- Academic Certification: This process involves a thorough evaluation of your education and may require you to complete additional courses or examinations to meet Canadian architectural education standards.
- Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect (BEFA) Certification: If you meet specific eligibility criteria based on your professional experience and qualifications, you can apply directly to the BEFA program, which assesses your broad architectural experience as an alternative to academic certification.
Either pathways are essential steps to continue on the path toward full licensure as a professional architect in Canada.