In the United States, foreign-acquired educational degrees do not hold inherent validity. Furthermore, certain professions, including those in the medical, legal, and architectural fields, necessitate more than just an assessment of academic qualifications; they demand the acquisition of a professional license.

If you're a skilled professional who has journeyed to the United States, this article is your compass. We'll guide you through the essential steps to ensure your foreign qualifications gain the recognition they deserve and pave the way for a flourishing professional career. So, let's embark on the path to achieving your American dream.

Credentials matter: Some facts about the U.S. job market

Reliable sources project that in January 2023, a whopping 517,000 new job opportunities sprouted in the U.S. Currently, there are 164.2 million employees, earning an average weekly wage of $1,042. Moreover, the US unemployment rate is currently at 3.4%, lower than other developed countries such as the United Kingdom (3.8%), Canada (5.3%), and France (7.4%). It is the lowest rate since 1969.

The job market in the U.S. is a sturdy ship, ready to welcome professionals and entrepreneurs of all kinds. However, it requires certifications to apply for the best opportunities in the professional areas.

The healthcare sector is a gold mine, with surgeons and physicians earning more than $120 per hour and often over $250,000 annually. Florida, in particular, is bursting with tech opportunities, from software development to system analysis. But to enter these fields, the right qualifications are essential, including licenses or certifications, making certified training your ticket to success.

What is a foreign education credential evaluation?

If you're a professional new to the U.S., it's crucial to explore the steps for having your qualifications acknowledged. To achieve this, you'll need to undergo a foreign education credential evaluation, often referred to as 'degree validation.' This is an official process in the United States. It's designed to recognize and approve educational degrees earned outside of North America.

This evaluation is conducted by authorized organizations that operate independently of the United States. Their role is to translate, assess, and validate foreign degrees and educational certifications, making them officially acceptable for endorsing your professional expertise and skills.

To help you navigate this process, let's break it down into 5 simple steps so you can become a certified professional in the United States with degrees earned in another country.

Step 1: Understand Your Position's Requirements

Begin by understanding the specific requirements for your profession. When it comes to foreign education credential evaluations, there are two main types:

• Document-by-Document Evaluation: This is typically used for evaluating undergraduate degrees such as bachelor's degrees or engineering qualifications.
• Course-by-Course Evaluation: This is commonly required for postgraduate degrees like Master's or PhDs.

For postgraduate studies, it's often necessary to provide a comprehensive and certified list of the courses you completed during your university program. In such cases, opt for a course-by-course evaluation to ensure your qualifications align with the standards.

Step 2: Translate Your Documents into English

There is a prior consideration that you have to take into account, and it's closely tied to processing times. You need to provide notarized documentation from your home country, a process known as apostille. An apostille certifies that a document has been issued by a competent authority in another territory and is obtained through the Secretary of State offices in each U.S. state.

Before you send your documents to a credential evaluation service, it's crucial to provide them with the official documents and their English translations. These translations should be performed by an authorized translator. A "valid" translation in the United States must meet specific requirements, including certification.

You have various options for obtaining this service. To decide, you can ask the credential evaluation organization if they offer translation services or, if not, seek their recommendations for approved translation providers.

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Step 3: Seek Evaluation from Accredited Organizations

To authenticate your foreign educational qualifications, it's essential to submit them to officially recognized entities authorized for credential evaluation. In the United States, you can pursue validation through organizations like NACES or AICE.

• National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES): NACES is a collective of independent, non-governmental organizations specializing in credential evaluation. They cater to individuals who have completed some or all of their education outside the United States.
• Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE): AICE focuses on the international evaluation of educational credentials, providing a comprehensive assessment of your qualifications.

Choose the organization that best fits your needs and your specific credentials for a thorough evaluation.

Step 4: Complete the paperwork and pay the Fees

The procedures for validating professional credentials can vary based on your field, involving different timeframes, examination requirements, and costs.

In a broad sense, you'll need to complete an application form provided by AICE or NACES. In addition, you will typically be asked to submit the following documents:

• Your college degree or diploma, depending on your specific case.
• Syllabus outlining your coursework.
• Academic plan detailing your course load.
• Certifications of your academic achievements.
• Any documents acquired during your degree program that demonstrate your academic performance.

Fees for document-by-document evaluation typically range from $80 to $100, while course-by-course evaluation fees range from $140 to $185. The entire process can take up to eight months, but the timeline may vary depending on the specific organizations involved and the volume of documents requiring approval.

Step 5: Fulfill Profession-Specific Requirements

For certain professions, validation of academic credentials and the acquisition of professional licenses or certifications are prerequisites. The precise requirements for securing such licenses can vary from one state to another. After professionals validate their educational credentials, they typically must undergo courses, studies, exams, or programs at a university or through a regulatory authority.

For instance, medical graduates from foreign countries often need to navigate a rigorous process, including certification from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). In Florida, they may also need to certify their title with the Florida Department of Health, involving a two-year residency program.

On the flip side, some professions in Florida, like graphic designers, journalists, merchants, computer and systems analysis technicians or graduates, and artists, can practice without the need for a license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The specific requirements will vary based on the profession and the state's regulations.

Timeframes in Professional Certification

The process of credential evaluation and professional certification can be lengthy and cumbersome.The overall time frame for credential evaluation in the United States varies but generally takes between 5 to 9 months for bachelor's degrees and 6 to 15 months for university degrees. This period doesn't cover the process of obtaining professional licenses and passing competency exams, which can vary significantly by state and profession, sometimes taking several months or even years.

For instance, if you aim to become a Certified Physician Assistant in Florida, you must navigate a certification process to demonstrate the necessary training and competence to provide quality healthcare. 

Even if you've already had your professional degree validated by an evaluation entity, you'll still need to pass the national PANCE exam, apply for a state license, pass a state-specific law and regulation exam, undergo a background check, and wait for the Florida Board of Physician Assistants to review your application. This certification opens doors to increased job opportunities, professional growth, and higher salaries.

Final Considerations

In conclusion, gaining recognition for foreign degrees in the United States is meticulously coordinated. From evaluating educational qualifications to securing professional licenses, each stage is vital in enabling foreign professionals to pursue their expertise in their chosen field.

It's worth emphasizing that while the journey may be arduous and time-consuming, validating academic and professional training is indispensable for competing in the U.S. job market. Professionals holding foreign degrees have the potential to successfully navigate this process and realize their career aspirations in the United States.

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