Foreign degree on a US resume: credential evaluation explained
Last reviewed 2026-10-12
A credential evaluation translates a degree earned abroad into its US equivalent. Most private employers do not require one, but federal jobs, H-1B petitions, licensed professions and graduate schools usually do. Order it from a member of NACES (such as WES or ECE) and list the US equivalent next to your degree on your resume.
When you need an evaluation
- Federal government jobs: education from outside the US must be evaluated by an organization that specializes in foreign credentials.
- H-1B and other employment visas: the petition usually needs to show your degree equals a US bachelor’s or higher.
- Licensed professions such as nursing, medicine, engineering (PE), teaching and accounting (CPA): each state board sets its own process, often with a specific evaluator.
- Graduate school applications.
- Private employers: rarely required, but an evaluation helps when a recruiter does not recognize your university or degree title.
Document-by-document or course-by-course?
A document-by-document (general) evaluation states the US equivalent of each degree. It is usually enough for employers and work visas.
A course-by-course evaluation also lists each course with US credits and a GPA. Licensing boards, graduate schools and some federal roles ask for it. It costs more and takes longer, so check what the receiver needs before you order.
Choosing an evaluator
There is no single government evaluator in the US. Employers and agencies generally accept members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which includes World Education Services (WES) and Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). Some licensing boards name one specific service, so check first. Fees and turnaround change often; compare current prices on each evaluator’s site.
How to write it on your resume
Keep the original degree name and add the US equivalent so both the recruiter and the tracking system understand it:
- B.Eng. Electrical Engineering, University of Lagos, Nigeria (US equivalent: Bachelor of Science, WES evaluated)
- B.Com. Accounting, University of Ghana (US equivalent: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, ECE evaluated)
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Try tailrCommon questions
Do US employers require a WES evaluation?
Most private employers do not. Federal jobs, employment visa petitions, licensing boards and graduate schools usually do. Adding the US equivalent to your resume helps recruiters who do not recognize your degree.
Which credential evaluation should I get for a job?
A document-by-document evaluation from a NACES member is usually enough for employers and work visas. Order course-by-course only if a licensing board, school or agency asks for it.
Is WES the only accepted evaluator?
No. Employers and agencies generally accept any NACES member, such as WES or ECE, though some licensing boards require a specific service.