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?
The CACB is the only professional body designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to assess the credentials of architects for immigration purposes. If you are planning to immigrate to Canada through Immigration Refugees and Citizenship (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 ECA report confirms the equivalency of your academic credentials, but does not qualify you to practice as a licensed architect in Canada. You do not need an assessment for a Canadian degree, diploma or certificate.
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.
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.
The 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 a licensed architect in Canada.
As a CACB-issued ECA holder, you may consider pursuing the pathway to becoming a licensed architect in Canada through either:
- The Academic Certification Program, the initial step in the licensure process, followed by registration with the Internship in Architecture Program (IAP) and completion of the Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC); or
- If you wish to pursue the Academic Certification Program or have already applied, please email the Academic Certification team with your ECA and academic file numbers. This will allow the team to retrieve any documents previously submitted as part of your ECA file and associate them with your academic file. They will then advise you of any additional documentation that may still be required. For assistance, please contact the Academic Certification team at: academiccertification@cacb.ca
- The Broadly Experienced Foreign Architects (BEFA) Program if you are licensed and experienced architect in your country and you have at least seven years of post-licensure experience.
- If you wish to pursue the BEFA Program or have already applied, please email the BEFA team with your ECA and BEFA file numbers. This will allow the team to retrieve any documents previously submitted as part of your ECA file and associate them with your BEFA file. They will then advise you of any additional documentation that may still be required. For assistance, please contact the BEFA Certification team at: befa-aeve@CACB.ca