Why should you get your international educational credentials evaluated?

Manitoba's Academic Credentials Assessment Service provides this service for free only to permanent residents who have been directly referred by an employer, post-secondary institution or regulatory body in order to meet a specific application requirement.

However, you can pay to get an assessment from one of the six fee-for-service assessment agencies in Canada. (See Question 2 below.)

Academic Credentials Assessment Service

1. What is the Academic Credentials Assessment Service?
   The Academic Credentials Assessment Service (ACAS) is the provincially mandated assessment agency in Manitoba. ACAS assesses secondary and post-secondary education (academic credentials) earned outside of Canada and compares it to current educational standards in Manitoba. Following an academic assessment, ACAS issues a report stating an individual's comparable level of education in Manitoba. The report is provided to assist `end-users' (government, industry, post-secondary institutions, and some regulatory bodies) in better understanding the value of an individual's level of formal education earned outside of Canada. It is advisory in nature and is designed to support and facilitate hiring or admission decisions made by end-users; it does not replace or supersede decisions made by end-users.
   
   NOTE: ACAS assessments are provided only to individuals who require one in order to meet a specific application process or end-use set by an end-user. The report is issued (by e-mail) directly to the end-user with the signed consent of the client. The client does not receive a copy of the report.
   
   
2. What guidelines are followed in assessing academic credentials earned outside of Canada? Do all assessment agencies in Canada follow these guidelines?
   There are seven assessment agencies in Canada. Each assessment agency follows the General Guiding Principles for Good Practice in the Assessment of Foreign Credentials as outlined by the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials. They are ACAS (Winnipeg), IQAS (Edmonton, Alberta), ICES (Vancouver, B.C.), WES Canada (Toronto, Ontario) and CEFAHQ (Montreal, Quebec), CES (University of Toronto) and ICAS (Guelph, Ontario).
   
   
3. If I have already received an assessment by one of the other assessment agencies in Canada do I need to be assessed by ACAS if I live in Manitoba?
   No. Individuals living in Manitoba who have had their academic credentials assessed by any one of the assessment agencies identified above should not require another assessment by ACAS.
   
   
4. Who is eligible for an ACAS assessment?
   ACAS assessments are only provided to individuals who require it (it is mandatory) for a specific application process (or end-use) set by an employer, post-secondary institution, regulatory body, or other identified organization. ACAS clients must be living in Manitoba as permanent residents or Canadian citizens.
   
   
5. What is the cost of an ACAS assessment?
   There is no charge for this service. However, to provide a free assessment service, ACAS must confirm that each request for an assessment is based on a mandatory requirement of an identified end-user.
   
   
6. Where can I get my credentials assessed if I do not require an academic assessment (for an end-user) but I would like to know the comparable level of my education for my job search or other plans?
   As mentioned above, there are seven assessment agencies in Canada. Individuals living in Manitoba who do not require an assessment but would like to have their academic credentials assessed may contact any one of the other six assessment agencies in Canada. All assessment agencies except ACAS charge a fee for their services. The fee, the documents required for submission and the processing period varies according to the type of assessment requested and the agency performing the service. Information on each agency is available at cicic.ca. Click on Foreign Credentials Recognition.
   
   
7. How long will it take to receive the results of an ACAS assessment?
   ACAS appointments are usually scheduled within one to three weeks of the request. For those living outside of Winnipeg, documents can be submitted by mail after speaking with ACAS staff. The processing period for an assessment will vary from one to six weeks after all required documents have been received by the ACAS office. When the assessment is complete an electronic report is e-mailed directly to the end-user with the signed consent of the client. If e-mail is not an option the report will be surface-mailed directly to the client for delivery to the end-user. The method used is determined by the "end-user" and ACAS.
   
   
8. If I am eligible for an ACAS assessment what documents do I need to provide?
   • Canadian citizenship card or permanent resident card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence document (IMM 5292)
   • Manitoba Health card
   • original or original notarized copy of all final degrees, diplomas or certificates from studies completed outside of Canada
   • original or original notarized copy of final transcripts, mark sheets, and academic record of subjects from studies completed outside of Canada
   • certified literal English or French translation of all documents in iii. and iv. above
   • a résumé
   • change of name documentation is required if the surname on the education documents iii. and iv. above) is different from your surname on your citizenship card or permanent resident card and Manitoba Health card. Example documents include marriage, divorce, adoption certificates.
   • referral form or letter (if provided by end-user)
   
   
9. If I completed high school outside of Canada, how do I get the Manitoba Grade 12 equivalent?
   In addition to advisory assessments of post-secondary education, ACAS assesses academic credentials earned outside of Canada for the Manitoba Grade 12 equivalent. Individuals requiring a Manitoba Grade 12 equivalent may contact ACAS regarding an appointment. The assessment does not provide a course-by-course comparison. It does not suggest that the client has the equivalent of any specific Grade 12 subject such as English, math, biology. Rather, the Manitoba Grade 12 equivalent indicates that the individual has completed a formal program of study in his or her country that generally compares to the elementary and secondary education system in Manitoba. Individuals who meet the Manitoba Grade 12 equivalent (through ACAS) do not need to attend an adult leaning centre (ALC) in Manitoba to complete an Adult High School Diploma. However, individuals may be required to attend an ALC in order to earn credits in a specific subject (for example, math, biology, chemistry) for entry to a program of study at a post-secondary institution.
   
   
10. Do I need an academic credentials assessment to apply for a job in Manitoba?
    Most employers in Manitoba do not require an academic assessment as part of their application process for employment. Some employers, however, require an academic assessment as part of their screening process which begins after the initial applications have been received. Individuals are encouraged to apply for employment using their academic credentials with English (or French) translations (if required). Applicants will be referred to ACAS by the employer if an academic assessment is required as part of the application/screening process or as a condition of employment.
    
    NOTE: If you are applying for a job with the Public Service Commission of Canada, Canada Revenue Agency or any federal Crown corporation, an ACAS assessment will be provided only after you have been screened and short-listed by the employer. You should have your academic credentials assessed before you apply using one of the six fee-for-service assessment services listed on this page.
    
    
11. Do I need an academic credentials assessment for admission to a university or publicly funded college in Manitoba?
    Each university has its own admission requirements. ACAS assessments are not used by universities in Manitoba. Publicly funded colleges do not generally require an ACAS assessment as part of the admission process. However, certain college programs do require an assessment. You must contact the college directly to determine the academic admission requirement and English language requirement for a particular program of study. Applicants will be referred to ACAS by the post-secondary institution if an academic assessment is required as part of the admission process. Note: Private colleges in Manitoba do not require an ACAS assessment as part of their admission process.
    
    
12. Do I need an academic credentials assessment to pursue recognition by a regulated profession in Manitoba?
    In general, an ACAS assessment is not required of applicants pursuing recognition by occupational regulatory and licensing bodies in Manitoba. Qualifications are subject to the assessment process established by each of the regulatory bodies in Manitoba. However, at present, a very small number of regulatory bodies do require an assessment by ACAS one of the other Canadian assessment agencies as part of their assessment process. Applicants will be referred to ACAS by the regulatory body in Manitoba if an academic credentials assessment is required as part of the application process. See Work in your profession.
    
    
13. Do I need an academic credentials assessment to pursue trades qualification in Manitoba?
    No. An academic credentials assessment is not required to pursue trades qualification in Manitoba. Qualifications are subject to the assessment process established by Apprenticeship Manitoba. See Work in your trade.
    
    
14. Where can I get more information about academic assessment?
    Academic Credentials Assessment Service (ACAS)
    Labour Market and Strategic Initiatives Branch
    Manitoba Labour and Immigration
    5th Floor - 213 Notre Dame Avenue
    Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 1N3
    Phone for ACAS appointments: 945-6300
    Fax: 948-2148