- How do I get started with the process of obtaining an FTES evaluation?
Print out an FTES Application Form from our website or call in, fax in or email us a request for an application form. ( Contact Us ). When completing the application form, please follow the instructions very carefully. Please mail the application form together with your original official documents and payment to our P.O. Box in Davis, California.
- How can I contact the FTES office?
Please click on Contact Us for complete contact information.
- What must I do to obtain a California Teaching Credential?
You must contact the California Commission on Teacher's Credentialing (CTC) directly and obtain their application form and instructions as to how to proceed. FTES is not the agency that issues the teaching credential. DO NOT SEND AN FTES EVALUATION TO THE CALIFORNIA COMMISSION ON TEACHER CREDENTIALING WITHOUT A CTC APPLICATION. They will not accept only an evaluation. You MUST follow their Instructions. CTC's toll-free phone number is (888) 921-2682. The local phone number is (916) 445-7254; their web address is http://www.ctc.ca.gov/ .
- What does an evaluation include?
The general evaluation is a five-part narrative report that includes the purpose of your evaluation, a summary of our education, a description of the institution(s) you attended, a description of the documents submitted and a concluding statement certifying the equivalency of your education in the United States.
- On what basis does FTES reach a conclusion?
We need to research the content of the courses you took to compare with the US requirements. Everyone's course of study is different and every school and country has different requirements and courses of study. It is necessary to compare your course of study where you obtained your degree with the course requirements for the position you are applying for in the U.S. It is also necessary for us to determine that the school or university you attended is accepted by accredited institutions in the United States.
- Who will accept an FTES evaluation?
Our evaluation is generally accepted nationwide.
- What documents does FTES need?
We need all of the original official documents issued to you by the schools you wish to have included in your evaluation. Both, diplomas and transcripts (course lists), may be required. If your documents are not in English and you do not have a certified translation by a U.S. translation service, contact us first about possible arrangements for a translation. If you have changed your name since graduation, please submit a marriage certificate or some other type of documentation that shows your name has been legally changed.
- a. Why does FTES require original official documents? (and not fax or photocopies)
In our evaluation we state that upon our review we believe that the documents are authentic. We do not believe that we can make that statement without reviewing original documents. Our clients benefit from this determination because their documents have this additional authoritative review. Clients are advised not to submit forged, false or altered records. FTES will not evaluate such records, will not return them to the client, and will not refund the fee that the client has paid.
b. What happens to clients who submit forged or false or altered records?
Clients are advised not to submit forged, false or altered records. FTES will not evaluate such records, will not return them to the client, and will not refund the fee that the client has paid. FTES will report the forged documents to NAFSA ( National Association of Foreign Student Association).
- Does FTES need all my school records from elementary school, secondary school and university?
Depending on the type of evaluation you are requesting you may need to submit only the post-secondary/university records. Please check with the receiving institution (e.g. U.S. school, professional board, employer, government agency) to make sure you are submitting the appropriate documents.
- What is a transcript?
A transcript is a list of the courses that you were enrolled in at an educational institution and the grades you were awarded. It is also called course listing, marks certificate, or grade report.
- Do I need a course list?
We require a course list. Please contact the receiving institution (e.g. U.S. school, professional board, employer, government agency) to find which course list you should submit as a part of the evaluation.
- Should I include my diploma with my records?
If you have a diploma, it is important to include a photocopy of it. If the document is unusually large you can have it reduced for easier mailing. Information on your diploma helps to identify the title of your degree, the date on which it was issued, and the institution and/or officials granting the degree. A DIPLOMA ALONE IS NOT SUFFICIENT FOR AN EVALUATION. IT MUST BE SUPPORTED BY YOUR ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS.
- Can I bring my documents into the FTES office and pick them up when the evaluation is completed?
You can mail your application (including FTES Application Form, original official documents and payment), to our P.O. box in Davis.
- Do I have to have my documents translated?
If your documents are not in English, they must be translated by a certified U.S. translation service. If your documents have not been translated by a certified U.S. translation service, please contact FTES to take care of your translation needs. FTES will be able to verify an unofficial translation, translate transcripts and supporting documents for evaluation purposes only or arrange for a certified word-by-word translation.
- Can FTES translate my documents?
At FTES, we can take care of all of your translation needs. We are be able to verify an unofficial translation, translate transcripts and supporting documents for evaluation purposes only or arrange for a certified word-by-word translation.
- How long does the evaluation take or when will it be ready?
An official evaluation is normally ready to be mailed In two weeks (10 to 15 business days) from the date that all necessary documentation and fees are received. If you need your evaluation sooner, we have a 5-day rush service, which requires an additional fee.
- Is there a rush service?
We have a 5-day rush service which requires payment of an additional $85 FOR THIS SERVICE, PAYMENT MUST BE MADE BY MONEY ORDER, CASHIER'S CHECK OR IN CASH FOR THE FULL AMOUNT.
- What does an evaluation cost?
Costs vary, depending upon the type of evaluation you require. The fee for a general evaluation for employment is only $170. An evaluation required to apply for a substitute teaching position in California is also $170. If your purpose is to qualify for a professional license, (e.g. a California teaching credential) both the general evaluation and the course list ($100) are required. Nursing license evaluations and evaluations for immigration purposes require considerably more time and research. A nursing license evaluation costs $295; an evaluation for immigration purposes costs $325.
- Do I need to prepay for the evaluation?
Payment must be included when you submit the application and documents. The evaluation will not be started until the appropriate fees are received by our office. Payment can be made by personal check, money order, cashier's check (drawn on a U.S. bank payable to FTES), credit card or in cash. WE DO NOT ACCEPT AMERICAN EXPRESS OR DISCOVERY CREDIT CARDS. For a 2-day or 5-day rush service payment must be made by money order, cashiers checks or in cash for the full amount.
- What if I decide to cancel the evaluation?
We will refund your application fee, less a cancellation charge if we receive a request for cancellation before the application for an evaluation or translation is complete. After the application is complete, no refund will be made. A complete application for an FTES evaluation consists of an FTES ApplicationFform, appropriate fees and the original official academic documents.
- What are the cancellation fees?
We charge a $50 cancellation fee for evaluations. The remainder of what you have paid will be refunded to you and all your documents will be returned to you. If you would like us to return your documents by USPS Priority Mail with Signature Confirmation, we charge an additional fee of $15.
- My name is now different from when I obtained my degree. What do I need to do to obtain the evaluation in my present name?
If any of your records refer to you by a name different from that listed on your application, list that name on the application (at No. 4 on the application) and attach a copy of your marriage license, passport or some other type of documentation that shows your name has been legally changed. If you cannot provide documentation of an official change in your name, we will need to use the name given on your official educational records.