Professional License Translation
Certified translation of foreign professional licences, registrations and verifications for state licensing boards, credential evaluators and visa screening.
The short answer
Foreign professionals applying for a US licence submit their home licence, registration or a verification of good standing, and many boards insist it come directly from the foreign authority. Translations follow each board's rule: New York, for example, requires a "qualified translation". Foreign nurses and other health care workers also need a certificate for their visa (8 CFR 212.15).
A foreign licence is evidence that you were authorised to practise elsewhere. US boards rarely accept it at face value: most verify it directly with the foreign authority, and many set their own rules on translation. Read your board's instructions before ordering anything, because a translation the board will not accept is wasted time.
Rules that apply
Each rule links to its source. Checked 4 November 2026. Confirm with the office that will receive your documents.
| Rule | Source |
|---|---|
| NYSED's Office of the Professions requires a qualified translation for documents not in English and verifies credentials directly with the issuing body. | NYSED Office of the Professions, General information and policies |
| Foreign health care workers (other than physicians) seeking certain visas need a certificate from an approved credentialing organisation. | 8 CFR 212.15 |
| ECFMG accepts translations of medical credentials only from a government official, a medical school official or a professional translation service. | ECFMG (Intealth), English translations |
| WES requires word-for-word translations from the institution or a certified translation service. | WES, Translation requirements |
| Foreign-language documents filed with USCIS, such as a licence supporting a petition, need certified translations. | 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) |
Typical length and price
Typical length: about 100–300 words per licence or verification (about 1–2 pages of 250 words).
Estimated price into English at that length: $39.00–$44.80 per file, certificate of accuracy included.
These figures are our estimates for a typical document of this type, not averages of past orders. Upload yours for an exact word count and price.
Three ways boards handle foreign licences
- Verification sent directly by the foreign authority, often on the board's own form. The translation, if needed, may also have to come from the authority or be sent with it.
- Documents you submit, with a translation meeting the board's rule, such as New York's "qualified translation".
- Through a credentialing organisation, which collects and verifies documents and applies its own translation rules.
What gets translated
The licence or registration certificate, any renewal or annual registration record, a certificate of good standing or "letter of verification", and records of specialisation. For health professions, boards may also want the education records behind the licence: diploma, transcript, clinical hours. Each document is translated in full, including the authority's seal, registration number and validity dates.
Titles and scope of practice
Professional titles do not map neatly. A Filipino "Registered Nurse", a German Gesundheits- und Krankenpfleger and a Brazilian Enfermeiro may each correspond to different US roles, and the board decides equivalence. We translate titles literally with the original in brackets and translate any statement of scope exactly, without suggesting a US title.
Health care worker visa screening
Nurses, physical and occupational therapists, and certain other health care workers coming on some visas need a certificate from an approved organisation, which reviews education, licences and English proficiency. That organisation sets its own document and translation requirements; follow them, since they may differ from the state board's.
Keep a set
Professionals often apply to several boards, or to a board and an employer. Keep the certified translations; many bodies accept the same translation, though some want it sent directly or recently dated.
Teachers, engineers and accountants
Health professions are the best known, but other boards review foreign credentials too. State education departments review teaching certificates and degrees for certification; engineering boards look at degrees and experience records for the PE licence; accountancy boards review foreign education for CPA eligibility, often through an evaluation service. Each sets its own document list. Teaching certificates and engineering registrations are translated with their category, subject and validity exactly as stated.
Certificates of good standing
A certificate of good standing (sometimes "letter of current professional status") confirms your licence is valid and free of discipline. Boards usually want it recent and sent directly by the foreign authority. If it is in another language and the board accepts a translation from you, translate the version the authority sent, including its date and reference number.
Discipline records
If there was ever a complaint or disciplinary action, the board will ask for the records. Translate them in full and exactly; a softened translation of a disciplinary finding is worse than the finding.
Licence numbers, registration dates and expiry dates are copied exactly; a mistyped number delays verification.
If a board wants the translation sent to it directly, tell us when ordering and we will follow its instructions.
What we need from you
- The licence and verification documents you will submit.
- The board's or organisation's translation rule, or a link to it.
- Your name as on your passport and application.
How it works
- Upload the document. The quote tool counts the words and prices the job before you commit to anything.
- Translation. The whole document - every page, stamp, seal and annotation - with the layout kept close enough to the original that a reviewer can read the two side by side.
- Certification. A State Court Certified Translator signs the certificate of accuracy.
- Delivery. A print-ready PDF by email, typically within 24 hours. Notarization, an apostille or mailed hard copies are added here if you need them.
Turnaround
Standard turnaround is 24 hours. Expedited service is +50% for 6-8 hours and +100% for 1-3 hours. Tell us your deadline when you order.
Pricing Information
$39 for the first 250 words into English ($49 into any other language), then $0.116 per word. Each file is priced on its own, and the signed certificate of accuracy is included. Notarization, if a body asks for it, is $19.
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