Translation for Credential Evaluations (WES, ECE, ECFMG)
How the main US credential evaluators handle translations of diplomas and transcripts: who may translate, what format they want, and when you should not order one at all.
The short answer
Credential evaluators set their own translation rules. WES wants a word-for-word English translation from the school or a certified translation service, never the applicant. ECE requires translations of non-English documents but offers a translation waiver for some reports. ECFMG accepts only translations from a government official, a medical school official or a professional translation service.
Rules that apply
Each rule links to its source. Checked 4 November 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the office that will receive your documents.
| Rule | Source |
|---|---|
| WES: documents not in English need a precise, word-for-word English translation from the issuing institution or a certified translation service; translations by applicants, family or friends are not accepted. | WES, Translation requirements for a WES credential evaluation |
| ECE: documents in languages other than English require translations; a translation waiver (for a fee) is available for certain report types. | ECE, FAQs |
| ECFMG: translations must be prepared by a government official, a medical school official, or a professional translation service, from the original or a photocopy (not a transcription), complete rather than an extract, with a signed certification in English. | ECFMG (Intealth), English translations |
| The Evaluation Company (formerly SpanTran) offers its own translation of non-English documents for an added fee. | The Evaluation Company, Translations |
| For USCIS, an evaluation does not replace the translation: each foreign-language document filed needs a certified English translation. | 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) |
Check the evaluator's rule before you order
A credential evaluation turns a foreign degree into a US equivalent for an employer, a licensing board, a university or USCIS. The evaluator usually wants the documents sent directly by your school, and many schools issue English versions or transcripts in English. If yours does, you may not need a translation at all. If it does not, each evaluator has its own rule about who may translate, and getting it wrong means the evaluation stalls until you send another translation.
How the main evaluators differ
| Evaluator | Who may translate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| WES | Your institution or a certified translation service | Word-for-word; not you, family or friends. Send copies of translations, not originals. |
| ECE | Required for non-English documents | Translation waiver available for certain reports, for a fee. |
| The Evaluation Company (SpanTran) | Accepts translations; also translates for a fee | Compare its fee with an outside translation before choosing. |
| ECFMG (medical graduates) | Government official, medical school official, or professional translation service | Complete translation from the original or a photocopy; freelancers working alone are not on the list. |
Other evaluators (Josef Silny, IERF, Foundation for International Services and others) publish their own rules. If yours is not listed, read its document requirements page or send us the link and we will check what it asks for.
What "word-for-word" means in practice
Evaluators compare the translation against the original line by line. A good academic translation keeps the layout of the transcript (one row per course, the same order, the same columns), translates course titles literally rather than finding a US equivalent, and leaves grades exactly as written. Converting a Mexican 9.2 out of 10 into an "A" is the evaluator's job, not the translator's; a translation that converts grades is rejected. Stamps, seals, signatures and handwritten notes are translated or described where they appear.
Course-by-course evaluations
A course-by-course report needs every course, credit and grade, and some evaluators also ask for course descriptions or syllabi to decide equivalence. Those are long documents, so ask the evaluator whether they are needed before translating them.
What we don't do
We translate; we do not evaluate degrees or tell you what your degree is equivalent to. If an evaluator requires documents to come directly from your school, a translation from us does not replace that.
Documents we translate for this
Academic Transcripts translation
Certified transcript translation for credential evaluation, graduate admission and professional licensing.
Diploma translation
Certified diploma and degree certificate translation for credential evaluation, licensing boards, employers and use abroad.
Course Descriptions translation
Translation of syllabi and course descriptions for course-by-course evaluations, transfer credit and professional licensing, with hours and credits kept as stated.
Professional License translation
Certified translation of foreign professional licences, registrations and verifications for state licensing boards, credential evaluators and visa screening.
Price
$39 for the first page (up to 250 words) into English, $49 into any other language, then $0.116 per additional word. Each file is priced on its own. The signed certificate of accuracy is included.
Full pricingTurnaround
24 hours standard for most documents. Expedited service is +50% for 6–8 hours and +100% for 1–3 hours. Large files are quoted with a delivery date before you pay.
Questions
Can I translate my own transcript for WES?
No. WES does not accept translations by applicants, family members or friends. It accepts translations from your institution or a certified translation service.
My school issues an English transcript. Do I still need a translation?
Usually not, if the evaluator accepts the English version sent by the school. Check whether it wants the original-language record as well.
Should the translator convert my grades?
No. Grades are translated exactly as written. The evaluator converts them, and a translation that converts grades can be rejected.
Does ECFMG accept your translations?
ECFMG accepts translations from a professional translation service that meet its format rules: complete, from the original or a photocopy, with a signed English certification. Ours are prepared that way.
Do I need to send the original translation?
WES asks for photocopies of translations, because originals are not returned. Check your evaluator's instructions; we deliver a PDF and can mail hard copies.
Related
Prepared by Global Certified Translations, Edgewater, NJ. Translations are signed by a State Court Certified Translator. This page explains translation requirements; it is not legal advice.
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