NACES Translation Requirements

NACES is a consortium of credential evaluation agencies, not an evaluator itself, so you do not submit translations to NACES directly. However, all NACES member agencies accept professional certified translations that are complete, word-for-word, and include a signed Certificate of Accuracy. Some members like ECE also accept self-prepared translations, while others like WES require professional translator handling. A certified translation from a professional provider satisfies the translation requirement at every current NACES member.

NACES is the umbrella association that sets quality standards for credential evaluation agencies. WES is one of approximately 18 member agencies within NACES. Other members include ECE, SpanTran, IERF, and more. Saying you need a "NACES evaluation" means you need an evaluation from any NACES member agency. Saying you need a "WES evaluation" means you need an evaluation specifically from World Education Services. Some institutions accept any NACES member, while others require a specific one.

The best NACES member depends on your receiving institution. Many schools and employers specify which evaluator they accept, so always check before ordering. If no specific agency is required and your institution accepts "any NACES member," WES and ECE are the most widely recognized options. WES has the broadest name recognition and online submission. ECE is typically faster and offers a Translation Waiver option. SpanTran has strong country-specific expertise. For California-focused submissions, IERF is commonly accepted.

NACES members share baseline standards: translations must be complete, accurate, and word-for-word, with all visible elements translated and the original document structure preserved. Individual agencies add specific requirements on top of this baseline. WES requires professional translator handling and uses country-specific sender routes. ECE allows self-prepared translations and offers a Translation Waiver. SpanTran offers in-house translation services. A properly formatted certified translation with a Certificate of Accuracy meets or exceeds the translation standard at every current NACES member.

Yes. One certified translation works across all NACES member agencies because they share baseline translation standards. If you need evaluations from both WES and ECE, or if you switch from one NACES member to another, the same translated document satisfies both. This is one of the strongest practical reasons to invest in a professional certified translation rather than a self-prepared version that may not meet the stricter requirements of some members.

Many U.S. universities require international applicants to submit a credential evaluation from a NACES member agency as part of the admissions process. Some universities specify a particular agency, while others accept any NACES member. Graduate programs typically require a Course-by-Course evaluation, while undergraduate admissions may accept a General or Document-by-Document report. Always verify the specific requirement with your admissions office before ordering.

Processing times vary by member agency. WES standard processing takes approximately 2–4 weeks after all documents are received. ECE typically completes evaluations within 5 business days. SpanTran usually takes 10–15 business days. Most agencies offer rush service for an additional fee. On our side, certified translation is typically completed within 24 hours for standard academic records, so the translation step itself should not be the bottleneck.

NACES and AICE (Association of International Credential Evaluators) are both consortiums of credential evaluation agencies, but they are separate organizations with different member lists. Some schools accept evaluations from either consortium, while others specify one or the other. If your institution requires a NACES evaluation specifically, only a current NACES member agency will satisfy the requirement. Check the current member list at naces.org to confirm.