SpanTran Credential Evaluation: Requirements, Documents and Translations
What Is SpanTran / TEC?
SpanTran is the former name of The Evaluation Company (TEC), a U.S. credential evaluation organization that reviews education completed outside the United States and determines how foreign credentials compare with the U.S. educational system.
The company was established in 1982 and provides credential evaluations for education, employment, professional licensing, immigration-related purposes, and other official uses. The Evaluation Company is also a member of NACES and has held membership since April 1996.
Learn more about NACES credential evaluation agencies.
Which SpanTran Credential Evaluation Report Do You Need?
TEC continues to use the SpanTran name for its main academic evaluation reports. The right report depends on what the university, employer, licensing board, or other receiving organization asks for.
General Analysis
The SpanTran General Analysis is a document-by-document evaluation.
It provides the U.S. educational equivalency of the credentials reviewed but does not break down individual courses, grades, credits, or GPA.
This type of report may be appropriate when the receiving organization mainly needs confirmation of the U.S. equivalent of a diploma or degree.
Course Analysis
The SpanTran Course Analysis provides a more detailed review of academic study.
In addition to the overall credential equivalency, it may include:
- Individual courses
- U.S. credit equivalents
- U.S. grade equivalents
- Total credits
- GPA calculations
This report is commonly used when a university or other institution needs to review the applicant’s coursework in detail.
Divisional Course Analysis
The SpanTran Divisional Course Analysis adds another level of detail to a course-by-course report.
Individual courses are identified according to their comparable U.S. academic level, such as:
- Lower-level undergraduate
- Upper-level undergraduate
- Graduate level
This can be useful when a receiving institution needs to determine not only what courses were completed, but also their academic level.
TEC also offers specialized evaluations for certain professional licensing fields, including teaching, nursing, and engineering.
What Documents Does SpanTran / TEC Require?
The exact documents required depend on the applicant’s country of education, credential, level of study, and the evaluation report being ordered.
Applicants may need to provide records such as:
- Diplomas
- Degree certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Mark sheets
- Examination certificates
- Other documents showing completed education
TEC recommends checking the requirements for the specific country and credential before submitting an application.
Check the official TEC Document Requirements before sending academic records.
Does SpanTran Require English Translations?
Yes. Academic documents issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
TEC describes a certified translation as a complete English translation accompanied by a signed certification confirming the accuracy of the translation and the qualifications of the translator or translation company.
The translation should correspond to the original academic record and include relevant information such as:
- Institution names
- Diploma and degree titles
- Courses and subjects
- Grades and marks
- Credits or hours
- Dates
- Stamps and seals
- Signatures
- Notes and other academic information
The English translation accompanies the original-language document; it does not replace it.
Does TEC Provide Translation Services?
Yes. The Evaluation Company offers certified translation services separately from its credential evaluation services.
TEC currently provides translations in more than 100 languages and states that its completed translations include a certification page.
Applicants who need TEC to translate their documents can upload copies through its translation application and receive a quote before proceeding.
Certified Translation for SpanTran / TEC
Carolina Translation Center provides professional certified English translations of foreign academic documents for credential evaluation and other official purposes.
We translate:
- Diplomas
- Degree certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Mark sheets
- Examination certificates
- Graduation certificates
- Diploma supplements
- Grading scales
- Other educational records
Translations include the information appearing on the original documents, including stamps, seals, signatures, tables, grades, handwritten entries, and other markings.
A Certification of Translation Accuracy is included with certified translations.
Applicants should review TEC’s current documentation and translation requirements before submitting their records.
Learn more about our credential evaluation translation services.
What Is Document Verification?
Credential evaluation and document verification are related but different processes.
An evaluation determines the U.S. equivalency of foreign education. Verification is used to confirm that academic records are authentic and were legitimately issued by the institution or examination authority shown on them.
TEC currently requires verification for post-secondary studies and for certain secondary-school credentials. Additional verification may also be required depending on the receiving organization or the applicant’s educational background.
There are two main ways verification can be completed.
Records Sent Directly by the Institution
The applicant can arrange for the educational institution or examination authority to send official academic records directly to TEC.
Electronic records must come through an official institutional source. Documents can also be mailed by the issuing institution when required.
TEC Document Verification Service
TEC also offers a separate Document Verification Service.
With this option, TEC contacts the issuing institution to confirm that the academic records are authentic. Applicants still need to provide copies of the documents being evaluated because the verification service does not retrieve missing academic records for them.
Verification can add time to an evaluation, particularly when TEC must wait for a response from an institution.
How Long Does a SpanTran / TEC Evaluation Take?
TEC currently lists a standard processing time of approximately 10 business days after all required documents and payment have been received.
For many evaluation types, faster processing is available:
- 5-business-day rush
- 2-business-day rush
Some specialized reports may have different processing options. Additional research, missing documentation, or verification can also extend the processing time.
How to Prepare Documents for a SpanTran / TEC Evaluation
Before submitting an application:
- Confirm that the receiving institution accepts evaluations from TEC.
- Ask which evaluation report is required.
- Review the requirements for your country and credential.
- Gather the required diplomas, transcripts, certificates, and other academic records.
- Obtain certified English translations for documents issued in another language.
- Make sure all submitted copies are clear and complete.
- Determine whether document verification is required.
- Arrange for official records to be sent directly by the issuing institution when necessary.
- Submit the application and required payment.
Providing the required documentation correctly at the beginning can help avoid holds or processing delays. TEC states that cases may be placed on hold when documents, translations, verification, payment, or other required information are missing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SpanTran the same as The Evaluation Company?
Yes. SpanTran is the former name of The Evaluation Company, commonly abbreviated as TEC. The SpanTran name is still used for several of TEC’s credential evaluation report types.
Is SpanTran / TEC a NACES member?
Yes. The Evaluation Company, formerly SpanTran, is a current NACES member and has been a member since April 1996.
Does SpanTran require certified translations?
Yes. Documents issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
What is the difference between a General Analysis and Course Analysis?
A General Analysis focuses on the overall U.S. equivalency of the credentials submitted.
A Course Analysis also evaluates individual coursework and may include U.S. credit equivalents, grade equivalents, total credits, and GPA.
Does TEC verify academic documents?
Yes. TEC requires verification for certain academic credentials and also offers its own Document Verification Service. Applicants may alternatively arrange for the issuing institution to send official records directly to TEC.
How long does a SpanTran evaluation take?
The standard processing time is currently about 10 business days after TEC has received the required documentation and payment. Rush processing in 5 or 2 business days is available for many report types.
Need Your Academic Documents Translated for SpanTran / TEC?
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.