Federal Requirements for Foreign Credential Evaluation Services

When selecting a foreign credential evaluation agency, it is important to look beyond marketing claims or membership logos. Notably, these agencies have no official accreditation. This means a credential evaluation service cannot be “accredited” in the way that schools or programs are, so consumers should be wary of any such claims.

Federal Guidance and Best Practices

Federal authorities make it clear there is no official approval process for evaluation services. The U.S. Department of Education states that it “does not endorse or recommend any individual credential evaluation service or any individual association of credential evaluation services.” In practice, this means no federal agency should favor one evaluator over another; each evaluation report should be judged on its own merit.

• No Federal Endorsement: The Department of Education explicitly warns that it does not endorse or recommend any specific credential evaluation agency. Consumers are encouraged to select a service based on the agency’s reputation and the requirements of the institution or employer involved.
• Evaluate on Merits: Government agencies receiving federal funds should not favor one evaluator over another. They are expected to “investigate the factual basis of an evaluation on its own merits”, examining each evaluation report individually.

USCIS guidance echoes these points. For example, a USCIS memo reminds officers to focus on the facts and use discretion: “Service officers are reminded to use discretion in the adjudication of H-1B petitions. Failure to do so could result in needless, expensive litigation.” In other words, officials should request additional information only when specific questions or errors arise, rather than challenging an evaluator’s qualifications by default.

USCIS Policy on Credential Evaluations

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policies reflect a similar approach. In a 1995 directive (AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 95111390), USCIS Associate Commissioner Louis D. Crocetti, Jr. wrote that “credentials evaluations submitted with an H-1B petition by a reputable credentials evaluation service should be accepted without question unless containing obvious errors.” The memo added that an evaluator’s qualifications should not be questioned if the evaluation was performed by a professional service. It notes that only if an evaluator’s own credentials are in doubt should USCIS take special action.

This guidance highlights that officers should base decisions on the evaluation’s content. In practice, USCIS examines the petition and generally relies on the submitted credential evaluation report. USCIS’s mandate is to adjudicate the immigration case, not to re-evaluate each foreign degree. Indeed, official guidance notes that USCIS has a mandate to investigate the petition’s basis but “none [to investigate] the credentials of foreign credential evaluators.”

Industry Perspectives

Some credential evaluation professionals have observed that recent USCIS cases sometimes involve extra scrutiny of evaluators’ qualifications. For example, officials have on occasion asked detailed questions about an evaluator’s academic credentials or training. This is a newer development that was not anticipated in earlier guidance.

Industry experts emphasize that reputable agencies verify each degree carefully. They require their evaluators to hold legitimate academic credentials and confirm that foreign institutions meet recognized accreditation standards. Evaluators research the legal and accreditation frameworks in each country to ensure accuracy. Many agencies are transparent about this process: they explain how foreign degrees fit into accreditation systems and may provide copies of an evaluator’s own credentials on request. This transparency helps build trust in the evaluation.

Advice for Applicants

Clear communication with your chosen evaluation service can make a difference. Be sure to contact the agency before placing an order. Explain your situation and ask how they will handle your case. If an agency does not address your concerns or make you feel comfortable, it may not be the best fit.

As Sheila Danzig (Executive Director of CCI) advises: “Be sure you contact any foreign credential evaluation agency before you order... If they don't make you feel comfortable and answer your questions... you can be sure that they won't be very helpful afterwards... be certain that the agency fully understands the Visa requirements or your evaluation may end up worthless.” Following this advice helps ensure you get a useful and credible evaluation.

By selecting a reputable evaluator and verifying they understand your needs (especially for immigration or licensing), you safeguard the value of your foreign education evaluation.