What Is IERF?
The International Education Research Foundation (IERF) is a nonprofit credential evaluation organization that evaluates education completed outside the United States and provides U.S. educational equivalency reports.
IERF was established in 1969 and describes itself as the first credential evaluation service in the United States and worldwide. Its reports are used for education, professional licensing and certification, employment, immigration, and military enlistment.
IERF is also a founding member of NACES, the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
What Types of Credential Evaluations Does IERF Offer?
IERF offers several types of credential evaluation reports. Before ordering an evaluation, applicants should confirm which report is required by the school, employer, licensing board, government agency, or other organization receiving it.
General Report
The IERF General Report is also known as a document-by-document evaluation.
It identifies:
- The educational institutions attended
- Dates of attendance
- Credentials earned
- The U.S. educational equivalent of those credentials
IERF generally recommends this type of report for purposes such as employment and immigration.
Detail Report
The Detail Report is IERF's course-by-course evaluation.
In addition to the credential equivalency, it includes information such as:
- Individual courses completed
- U.S. semester unit equivalents
- Individual grade equivalents
- Overall grade point average, where applicable
IERF generally recommends a Detail Report for college or university admission.
Detail Report with Course Level Identification
This report provides the information included in the Detail Report and also identifies the level of individual courses, such as:
- Lower division
- Upper division
- Professional
- Vocational
IERF recommends this report for certain purposes involving junior or community colleges, transfer credit, and professional licensing or certification.
IERF also provides specialized evaluation services for certain licensing fields, including barbering and cosmetology, massage therapy, and physical therapy.
What Documents Does IERF Require?
IERF requires official academic records, and the exact documentation depends on the country of education, credential, and purpose of the evaluation.
Academic records may include:
- Diplomas
- Degree certificates
- Graduation certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Mark sheets
- Examination certificates
- Academic records showing courses, credits, hours, and grades
- Diploma supplements
- Plans of study or curricula, when applicable
- Additional documentation for doctoral studies
IERF states that unofficial student copies are not accepted as official academic records, even when they were issued by the school.
Because documentation rules vary significantly by country, applicants should always review the
official IERF Required Documentation and Country-Specific Requirements before submitting an application.
Does IERF Require Original Documents?
Whether original academic records are required depends on the type of application, the country of study, and the requirements of the institution receiving the evaluation.
IERF states that original academic records are required for professional licensure applications and for many schools and universities. IERF may also require original documents under its country-specific rules or request them during the evaluation process.
Official certified true copies issued by the educational institution or an appropriate government authority may sometimes be accepted as originals.
However, IERF specifically states that notarized copies are not considered original academic records.
Applicants should therefore determine the document format required for their particular country and intended recipient before sending records.
Does IERF Require English Translations?
Yes. IERF requires English translations for academic records that were not officially issued in English.
According to IERF, translations must be:
- In the same format as the original-language document
- Line-by-line
- Word-for-word
- Typed
IERF also reserves the right to request translations prepared by professional translation services. For some countries and credentials, professional English translations are specifically required.
The English translation accompanies the original-language academic record. It does not replace the original document.
IERF Translation Requirements
An IERF translation should accurately reproduce the information contained in the original academic document.
This may include:
- Institution names
- Diploma and degree titles
- Course or subject names
- Grades and marks
- Credits, units, and hours
- Dates
- Stamps and seals
- Signatures
- Notes and annotations
- Tables and other academic information
Because IERF requires translations to be line-by-line and word-for-word and to follow the format of the original document, condensed summaries or partial translations should not be used.
Professional Certified Translation for IERF
Carolina Translation Center provides professional certified English translations of foreign academic documents for IERF credential evaluation and other official purposes.
We translate:
- Diplomas
- Degree certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Mark sheets
- Examination certificates
- Graduation certificates
- Diploma supplements
- Academic records
- Grading scales
- Other educational documents
Our translations include the information appearing on the original document, including stamps, seals, signatures, tables, grades, handwritten entries, and other markings.
Translations are prepared as complete, typed English translations and include a Certification of Translation Accuracy.
Country-Specific IERF Requirements
One of the most important parts of preparing documents for IERF is checking the requirements for the country where the education was completed.
IERF's requirements can differ significantly from country to country.
Depending on the country, IERF may require:
- Original academic records
- Photocopies of official records
- Institution-certified copies
- Records sent directly by the issuing institution
- Electronic verification
- Professional English translations
- Specific diplomas, transcripts, mark sheets, or examination certificates
For example, IERF explicitly requires professional English translations for documents from a number of countries where academic records are issued in languages other than English.
Always check the current IERF country-specific requirements before ordering translations or sending academic records.
Can You Translate IERF Documents Yourself?
IERF's general requirements do not state that every translation must always be completed by a professional translation company.
However, IERF requires translations to be typed, line-by-line, word-for-word, and in the same format as the original documents, and it reserves the right to request professional translations. In addition, professional translations are specifically required for certain countries.
For this reason, applicants should check the requirements for their country before deciding how to prepare a translation.
A professional certified translation may also be useful when the translated academic documents will later be submitted to a university, licensing board, employer, immigration authority, or another institution with its own translation requirements.
How to Prepare Documents for an IERF Evaluation
Before submitting an IERF application:
- Confirm that the institution receiving your evaluation accepts IERF.
- Ask which IERF report type is required.
- Review the IERF country-specific documentation requirements.
- Determine whether original academic records or certified copies are required.
- Gather the required diplomas, transcripts, mark sheets, and other academic records.
- Obtain English translations for documents not officially issued in English.
- Make sure translations are complete, typed, line-by-line, and word-for-word.
- Follow any additional institutional or licensing requirements.
- Submit your application and documentation according to IERF instructions.
Missing or incorrect documentation can delay completion of an evaluation. IERF also reserves the right to request additional or original documents during the evaluation process.
How Long Does an IERF Evaluation Take?
For standard individual applications, IERF currently states that every effort is made to mail the evaluation within 15 business days.
The processing period begins after the application, required documentation, and applicable fees have been received. If additional documents or fees are requested, the turnaround time is calculated from the date those outstanding items are received.
IERF also currently offers several rush-service options, subject to eligibility and additional fees. Processing times and fees can change, so applicants should check IERF directly before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IERF a NACES member?
Yes. International Education Research Foundation is a founding member of NACES and is currently listed as a NACES member in good standing.
Does IERF require English translations?
Yes. Academic records not officially issued in English must be accompanied by English translations.
Does IERF provide translation services?
No. IERF states that it does not translate academic records. Applicants must submit translations when they are required.
What format does IERF require for translations?
IERF requires translations to be typed, line-by-line, word-for-word, and in the same format as the original-language academic documents.
Does IERF require professional translations?
Professional translations are required for some countries and circumstances. IERF also reserves the right to request a translation prepared by a professional translation service. Applicants should check the country-specific documentation requirements for their credentials.
What is the difference between an IERF General Report and Detail Report?
The General Report provides information about the institutions attended, credentials earned, and their U.S. educational equivalents.
The Detail Report additionally lists individual courses, semester-unit equivalents, grade equivalents, and an overall GPA where applicable.
Which IERF report do I need?
The organization receiving the evaluation should determine which report it requires. IERF recommends confirming whether you need a General Report, Detail Report, or Detail Report with Course Level Identification before applying.
Does IERF accept notarized copies as original academic records?
No. IERF states that notarized copies are not considered original academic records. Institution-issued or government-issued certified true copies may be acceptable in some circumstances.
How long does IERF take?
IERF currently states that standard evaluations are generally targeted for completion within 15 business days after all required materials and fees have been received.
Need Your Academic Documents Translated for IERF?
If your diploma, transcript, degree certificate, mark sheets, or other educational records require an English translation, send us clear copies for a free quote.
We provide complete professional certified translations of foreign academic documents for credential evaluation and other official purposes.