QR practices involve the fair, credible, and standardized assessment of credentials to assist employers, educational institutions and professional regulatory bodies in making informed decisions. QR includes, but is not limited to international credential recognition. The process of QR involves the assessment of credentials obtained at a recognized institution, to determine the degree of comparability with the level of education and standards of an educational institution or professional regulatory body/association. QR processes can support, but do not necessarily include, the determination of equivalency of subject matter.

The mandate to award credit transfer generally rests with an accredited educational institution and/or a professional regulatory body/association unless the QR body/agency has negotiated an agreement to expand its scope of authority on a case-by-case basis.
The steps for qualification recognition generally include:

• Conduct authenticity review
• Review document translation (if required)
• Determine status of home institution
• Describe educational program
• State comparability of program

QR is a process to consider when a person seeks recognition for a completed degree, certificate or diploma (see Section 2.5 of the RPL Referral Guide).

The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) provides information on:

• Credential Evaluation Services in Canada
• Steps to Recognition in Specific Professions, Occupations and Trades in Canada
• Post-secondary Education Systems in Canada

Centre d'information canadien sur les diplômes internationaux (bilingual)

IQAS provides a valuable service to immigrants and refugees seeking an assessment of the level of their educational qualifications in comparison to Saskatchewan educational standards. The Government of Saskatchewan has had an inter-provincial agreement with the Government of Alberta for IQAS to conduct the assessment of international credentials for Saskatchewan residents since 1995.

Contact IQAS (Toll-Free from Saskatchewan) at: 1-800-999-3965
Fax IQAS at: (780) 422-9734
or visit the IQAS website

IQAS assessments contain advisory information for employers, educational institutions and professional regulatory bodies.

HINT:
Many regulatory bodies, professional associations and educational institutions have admission requirements in addition to an educational assessment. Some regulatory bodies do not use IQAS assessments.  If you have questions about licensing, registration or employment requirements and processes, it is best to contact the regulatory body, educational institution or employer directly. For more details about working in Saskatchewan, visit Saskatchewan Immigration, call: (306) 787-3845 or e-mail: rpl@gov.sk.ca.

Natalie Shorten, Policy Analyst
Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration
12th Floor, 1945 Hamilton Street
Regina, SK S4P 2C8
Phone: (306) 787-3845
Fax: (306) 787-7182
rpl@gov.sk.ca