For students who have pursued schools and colleges outside the US and wish to continue within the country to study further or take up a job, there is a requirement one has to qualify to achieve what they want.
It is to provide the original evaluated transcripts from companies partnered under the NACES course by course generating the respective GPA. Wondering what is NACES? Then scroll down to get profound details to help prepare and reach the dream destination to fulfil your career dreams!
What is NACES Evaluation: In-Depth Introduction?
National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) was established in the United States in 1987 as a non-governmental organization that offers credential evaluation services at varying costs for non-American individuals by evaluating their credentials, verifying documents, and translating the diploma or academic transcripts to match the equivalent of the US education system.
This is not a single body, rather comprises various member companies that help provide the evaluation completed for individuals outside the US. Doing this can make the evaluation process easier for educational institutions, government agencies, and employers in the US when hiring an immigrant candidate based on their education.
Currently, NACES currently has 19-member credential evaluation services Evaluation of Foreign Degrees – United States Department of State, maintaining its position as one of two primary professional associations for credential evaluation in the United States. NACES continues to operate as a trade association whose members are US-based, independent, nongovernmental organizations providing credential evaluation services NACES – National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
Who Needs NACES Evaluation?
- International students applying to US colleges or universities who completed education outside the United States
- Job seekers with foreign degrees applying for positions requiring verified educational credentials
- Professionals seeking licensure in fields like healthcare, engineering, or teaching that require credential verification
- Immigration applicants needing educational documentation for certain visa categories
- Individuals pursuing further education who need their foreign credentials assessed for admission or transfer credit purposes
Why It’s Important
- Institutional acceptance: Most US colleges and employers specifically require NACES member evaluations and may reject applications without them
- Standardization: Provides an accurate and trusted assessment of international education credentials that institutions can rely on
- Professional credibility: The integrity of institutional decisions depends on accurate assessment, and NACES members commit to quality standards
- Security & trust: Member organizations follow enforced ethical codes and professional standards for handling sensitive academic documents
- US equivalency: Translates foreign credentials into the US education system framework that institutions understand
Different Reports Generated by NACES
The evaluated transcripts from the members of the NACES contain two reports:
1. Document-by-document evaluation or General Analysis.
2. Course-by-Course Evaluation or Course Analysis.
The General evaluation includes providing the equivalency of the degree that was earned from non-American institutions. On the other hand, the course analysis, otherwise known as the transcript translation provides both equivalency and covers each credit and grade of the respective courses on the US scale.
To generate these reports, the original transcripts and diplomas officially released by the educational institution in the original language are requested. Besides that, a certified English translation is also requested to be attached while submitting for the evaluation.
The Importance of the NACES Evaluation
When pursuing education or employment in a foreign country, it is natural to be sceptical about the safety of academic history when it is especially handed over to a third party. However, students and employees can rest assured while handing them over to NACES as they are the most trusted authorities to handle sensitive information and unlock the endless opportunities available in the United States.
However, even if a person still decides to enrol in an institution without the NACES evaluation worried about safety, they have a higher chance of getting rejected since most institutions admit only those having the NACES report. Therefore, NACES is the only possible gateway to unlock the doors to achieve success in a new country.
Secondly, the members of the NACES only review an immigrant’s educational history and ensure that the reader to whom the report will be submitted will be sure that the education of the candidate was well interpreted and analyzed by professionals.
This tends to leave a positive impact on the candidate and the member company that issued the NACES report. Therefore, all these make the NACES an important asset for any immigrant who wishes to pursue education or a job in any part of America.
How Does the Cost Work to Generate a Transcript from NACES?
Ideally, each company has its own set of policies when it comes to charging a particular fee. Likewise, immigrants approaching the NACES member companies for assistance in generating a transcript should follow the policies on how they evaluate the document and generate a particular charge.
The cost here can be influenced by factors such as the level of evaluation required (such as course-by-course evaluation or a general overview), the service provider, and any additional services requested. Generally, the price spans from $50- $300 or more.
Moreover, in the case of individuals who wish to pursue higher education in the US must check with the admission counsellor for any specific company they would recommend to get the transcript generated so that they can avoid ending up choosing the wrong company.
This is because there are chances that the college or university has a better-established relationship with a particular NACES company so that students of that particular institution can obtain customized applications and attractive discounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Long Does NACES evaluation take?
- Standard processing: 7-15 business days
- Rush services: 2-5 business days (with additional fees)
- Complex cases: Up to 30 business days
- Time varies by member organization, document complexity, and verification requirements
2. What documents does NACES need?
- Standard processing: 7-15 business days
- Rush services: 2-5 business days (with additional fees)
- Complex cases: Up to 30 business days
- Time varies by member organization, document complexity, and verification requirements
3. How to get NACES evaluation?
- Visit naces.org to view the list of 19 member organizations
- Select a member organization (check with your target institution for preferences)
- Review their specific requirements and fees
- Submit required documents and payment through their process
- Receive evaluation report (typically sent directly to the requesting institution)
4. Is NACES the only credential evaluation standard?
No. There is no federal government agency that oversees credential evaluations in the United States. The U.S. Department of State recognizes two primary professional associations: NACES and AICE (Association of International Credentials Evaluators).
Two Main Standards:
- NACES: 19 credential evaluation services with admission standards and enforced code of good practice.
- AICE: 10 credential evaluation services with a board of advisors and enforced code of ethics
5. NACES vs. Non- NACES Credential Evaluation?
NACES Member Evaluations:
- Widely accepted by most US institutions and employers
- Must follow enforced ethical and professional standards
- Subject to quality control and membership requirements
- More expensive but more universally recognized
Non-NACES Evaluations:
- May be accepted by some institutions but not universally recognized
- No standardized oversight or quality requirements
- Often less expensive
- Risk of rejection by institutions requiring NACES/AICE membership
- May only be valid in specific states or regions
Critical Consideration: Always verify with your target institution which evaluation services they accept before paying for an evaluation to avoid wasting time and money on an unacceptable report.
Next Steps
Before you begin:
1. Contact your target institution (university, employer, licensing board) to confirm:
- Whether they require a credential evaluation
- Which NACES/AICE members they prefer or accept
- What type of evaluation report they need (course-by-course vs. general)
2. Gather your documents:
- Request official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Obtain degree certificates/diplomas
- Get certified English translations if needed
- Make copies for your records
Choosing an Evaluator:
3. Visit naces.org/members to view all 19 member organizations
4. Compare services based on:
- Cost (fees vary by organization)
- Processing time (standard vs. rush options)
- Institutional relationships (some universities have preferred partners with discounts)
- Required documentation
- Customer reviews and reputation
Submitting Your Evaluation:
5. Create an account with your chosen NACES member organization
6. Upload/mail documents as per their requirements
7. Pay evaluation fees ($75-$300 depending on service level)
8. Track your evaluation status through the member’s portal
9. Ensure delivery to your target institution (most send directly)
Timeline Planning:
- Start the process at least 4-6 weeks before application deadlines
- Account for document collection time (2-4 weeks)
- Consider rush services if you have urgent deadlines
- Follow up with the evaluation service if processing exceeds stated timeframes
For Cost-Effective Options:
- Ask your target institution about preferred NACES members with institutional discounts
- Consider standard processing instead of rush services to save money
- Some organizations offer package deals for multiple evaluations
- Check if your employer will reimburse evaluation costs for employment purposes
Conclusion
If you wish to begin the process of being convinced with the information provided above, contact ERES, your trusted partner to generate transcripts in the most cost-effective way possible to give you a chance to excel in the new country!
