CES — Comparative Education Service (University of Toronto)
University of Toronto's credential evaluator — accepted by IRCC and many Ontario institutions.
CES is operated by U of T and is an IRCC-designated ECA provider. It is accepted by many Ontario schools and employers, but it is not a nursing-licence route.
Requirements change. Always confirm with University of Toronto — School of Continuing Studies (learn.utoronto.ca) and your destination regulator or school before you pay any fee.
Read this first
- CES does not issue a nursing licence. For Canadian RN registration go through NNAS.
The must-know CES facts on one screen.
- What it is
- Credential evaluator
- Provider
- University of Toronto — School of Continuing Studies
- Common destinations
- Canada
- Common uses
- study, immigration, employment
- Typically requested by
- IRCC, Ontario schools, Employers
- Estimated cost
- CAD 220 – 310 (~USD 165 – 230)
- Estimated timeline
- 4 – 10 weeks
- Official source
- learn.utoronto.ca
- Sent directly by school / council?
- Yes — usually
- Ontario-focused school or employment applicants.
- Express Entry (IRCC) applicants who prefer CES over WES / ICES / IQAS.
- Candidates whose institution specifically requests a CES evaluation.
- Nurses pursuing RN registration (use NNAS).
- Candidates with a fresh acceptable evaluation from another designated provider.
Have these ready before you open the CES application.
- Academic transcripts (school-mailed)
- Degree / diploma certificate
- Identification + consent forms
- Translations where needed
How the CES process actually works.
- 1
Confirm CES is accepted
IRCC, school, or employer — in writing.
- 2
Open an application + pay
Pick General (ECA) or Comprehensive (course-by-course).
- 3
Documents mailed directly
Registrar to CES at U of T.
- 4
Wait for evaluation
Typical 4 – 10 weeks.
- 5
Report issued
Electronic + paper copies.
CES forms, document uploads, and fee payments are the trip-up for many candidates. An advisor can walk you through each screen — you stay logged in, you pay University of Toronto — School of Continuing Studies directly.
African-nurse checklist for CES.
- Recipient accepts CES (in writing)
- Registrar request submitted
- Translations where required
- CAD-capable payment method
- Courier budget
What CES really costs — itemised.
- CAD 220 (~USD 165)CES General
- CAD 310 (~USD 230)CES Comprehensive
- CAD 30Additional copy
- +CAD 100 – 200Rush
- USD 50 – 150Courier
- USD 200 – 500Total planning rangeConfirm on utoronto.ca.
Fees change often. Always confirm directly with University of Toronto — School of Continuing Studies before paying.
Plan 4 – 10 weeks end-to-end.
- 1
Prepare + pay
1 week.
- 2
Transcripts arrive
2 – 4 weeks.
- 3
Evaluation
4 – 8 weeks.
- 4
Report delivered
1 – 2 weeks (paper + electronic).
Mistakes that delay CES most often.
- Using CES for nursing licensure — it is not the path.
- Choosing Comprehensive when General is what IRCC requires.
- Submitting documents yourself.
What happens once CES is complete.
Submit CES to IRCC or institution
Report copy goes directly.
Continue destination steps
Language test, visa, school admission, etc.
CES questions nurses ask before they pay.
Is CES accepted by Canadian nursing regulators?⌄
No — they use NNAS. CES is for IRCC, schools, and employers.
How does CES compare to WES?⌄
Similar cost and similar turnaround. Pick whichever your institution lists first.
Official CES source
Requirements + fees change. Always verify live pricing and acceptance before you pay.
Pathway provides guidance only. We are not an immigration lawyer, a nursing regulator, or a visa agent. Outcomes depend on regulators and authorities, not on us.
Before you pay for credential verification
- Confirm which credential service your nursing pathway requires.
- Do not assume WES, CGFNS, NNAS, and DataFlow are interchangeable.
- You pay the official credential body directly.
- We guide you and help you avoid choosing the wrong service.
Stuck at the payment screen? We'll walk you through it.
African cards get declined on regulator and exam-provider portals every day. We coach you through fixing it on the official site — we never take your money, never use your card.
Other credential services that may apply to you.
WES is widely used by Canadian and US universities, by IRCC for Express Entry education points, and by many employers. Most nursing regulators still require CGFNS (USA) or NNAS (Canada) for licensure — do not pay for WES expecting it to unlock your nursing license.
ICES (through BCIT) is an IRCC-designated evaluator accepted for Canadian immigration education points and some Canadian schools — not for nursing licensure directly.
IQAS is run by the Government of Alberta. It is accepted by IRCC for Express Entry and by employers, schools, and some professional bodies in Alberta — but not by nursing regulators for licensure.
Don't pay for CES before you confirm you need it.
Build your free pathway in 2 minutes and see whether CES is on it — before you open an account.
Guidance only. Credential, nursing registration, and immigration requirements may change — always confirm with the official source.