WES Credential Evaluation: Requirements, Documents and Translations
What Is WES?
World Education Services (WES) is a credential evaluation organization that evaluates academic credentials earned outside the United States and Canada.
A WES evaluation helps universities, employers, licensing boards, immigration authorities, and other organizations understand how a foreign diploma, degree, transcript, or other academic credential compares with education in the United States or Canada.
WES is also a member of NACES, the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Learn more about NACES credential evaluation agencies.
What Does a WES Credential Evaluation Include?
WES offers different evaluation reports depending on how the evaluation will be used.
For U.S. credential evaluations, the two main report types are:
Document-by-Document Evaluation
A Document-by-Document evaluation identifies and describes each academic credential submitted to WES and provides its U.S. educational equivalency.
This type of report may be appropriate for:
- Employment
- Immigration
- First-year college or university admission
- Situations where a detailed review of individual courses is not required
Course-by-Course Evaluation
A Course-by-Course evaluation includes the credential equivalency and also provides a detailed analysis of post-secondary coursework.
Depending on the report, it may include:
- Courses or subjects completed
- U.S. semester credit equivalents
- Grade equivalents
- A calculated GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Undergraduate course level designations
Course-by-Course evaluations are commonly used for transfer admission, graduate admission, and professional licensing or certification.
The receiving institution should determine which WES report type you need before you place your order. WES itself recommends confirming the required report type with the institution or organization receiving the evaluation.
What Documents Does WES Require?
WES document requirements depend on several factors, including:
- Country or territory of education
- Institution attended
- Type of credential
- Level of education
- Purpose of the evaluation
- Country where the evaluation will be used
Typical academic documents may include:
- Diploma or degree certificate
- Academic transcript
- Mark sheets
- Statement of marks
- Graduation certificate
- Secondary school records
- Other academic records requested by WES
Official academic documents generally need to be submitted according to WES instructions. In many cases, the issuing educational institution must send academic records directly to WES electronically or in an appropriately sealed envelope. WES also advises applicants not to send original documents unless their individual required-document list specifically requests them.
Because requirements vary by country and credential, use the official WES Required Documents tool to check the exact documents required for your application.
Does WES Require English Translations?
For credential evaluations processed in the United States, WES states that documents issued in languages other than English require English translations.
For Canadian evaluations, documents issued in languages other than English or French require a translation into English or French.
WES does not provide document translation services. Applicants are responsible for obtaining any translations required for their evaluation.
A translation does not replace the original-language academic document. WES requires an independently translated version of the original documentation when a translation is required.
WES Translation Requirements
According to WES, translations should be:
- Exact and word-for-word
- Complete
- Clear and legible
- Prepared by a professional translator
All information appearing in the original document should be translated, including course titles, grades, institutional information, and other relevant text.
WES states that a professional translator may be affiliated with a university, certified translation agency, or another professional translation service. WES does not accept applicant-prepared translations, handwritten translations, or incomplete translations.
Certified Translation for WES
Carolina Translation Center provides professional certified translations of academic documents for WES credential evaluation and other credential evaluation purposes.
We translate:
- Diplomas
- Degree certificates
- University transcripts
- Mark sheets
- Academic records
- Graduation certificates
- Diploma supplements
- Grading scales
- Other educational documents
Our translations include the information appearing on the original document, including:
- Stamps and seals
- Signatures
- Tables
- Course names
- Grades
- Handwritten entries
- Notes and additional markings
A Certification of Translation Accuracy is included with certified translations.
Learn more about our credential evaluation translation services.
Can You Upload a Translation to WES Yourself?
Yes. WES states that translations generally do not need to be sent in a sealed envelope.
Applicants can upload eligible translations through their WES account. WES currently accepts PDF and JPEG uploads, subject to its file and document requirements.
This is different from many official academic records, which may need to be transmitted directly by the educational institution.
How to Prepare Documents for WES
Before submitting documents to WES:
- Create your WES application and obtain your WES reference number.
- Confirm which evaluation report your receiving institution requires.
- Review your personalized WES required-document list.
- Arrange for official academic records to be sent according to WES instructions.
- Obtain professional English translations when required.
- Make sure translations are complete and match the original academic documents.
- Upload translations through your WES account when permitted.
- Check that WES has received and accepted all required documents.
WES cannot begin the credential evaluation until the required documents have been received, reviewed, and accepted.
WES Basic vs. WES ICAP
WES offers Basic and ICAP package options for its credential evaluation reports.
With WES ICAP, WES stores verified transcripts and can send them to institutions together with the evaluation report. Eligible ICAP applicants may also receive a WES Digital Badge for securely sharing their evaluated credentials online.
The evaluation content depends primarily on whether you order a Document-by-Document or Course-by-Course report, while Basic and ICAP affect the package and document-storage features. Current fees and package details can change, so applicants should check WES directly before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WES a NACES member?
Yes. World Education Services is a member of NACES. WES has been listed as a NACES member since March 1987.
Does WES translate documents?
No. WES does not provide translation services. Applicants are responsible for obtaining required translations from a professional translator or translation service.
Does WES require certified translations?
WES requires professional, complete, word-for-word translations when translation is required. Its guidance states that translations may be completed by a professional translator, university-affiliated translator, certified translation agency, or other professional translation service.
Do I need to send my original diploma to WES?
Not necessarily. WES specifically advises applicants not to submit original documents unless their personalized required-document list or WES instructions request them.
Can I send my transcript to WES myself?
Official academic records often need to be sent directly by the issuing institution using an approved electronic method or, where applicable, a sealed envelope. Requirements vary by country and institution, so follow the instructions in your WES account.
Can I upload my WES translation online?
WES allows applicants to upload translations through their WES account when applicable. Always follow the specific upload instructions provided for your application.
Which WES evaluation do I need?
WES offers Document-by-Document and Course-by-Course evaluations for standard credential evaluation purposes. The institution receiving your report should tell you which type it requires.
Need Your Academic Documents Translated for WES?
Send us clear copies of your diploma, transcript, degree certificate, mark sheets, or other academic records.
We provide complete professional certified translations for WES credential evaluation and other U.S. credential evaluation agencies.