Job Seekers & Career Advancement
for New Mainers
The New Mainers Resource Center helps support internationally trained professionals with career advancement in the US.
What are the first steps?
Our services are designed to help internationally trained professionals successfully integrate and thrive in the US workforce. We offer the following:
- Career guidance and intensive career focused case management
- Training on job search skills and assistance with job search process
- Assisting with credential review process and licensing requirements
- Connections to employers, informational sessions, job fairs
- Professional networking groups and support
- Sector focused professional training
- Online computer tutorials
- Coordination with other training and service providers, volunteer opportunities, internships
- CV/Resume evaluation and revision
- Mock interview/interview preparation
- Other services as needed
We offer advising and referrals to workforce training programs:
Credential Evaluations
What is an evaluation?
A credential evaluation or equivalency is the process by which a person’s college transcripts and diploma are reviewed to determine if they are equal to a US degree.
One step that may be necessary before a credential evaluation can be done is to first have the documents translated into English. An English translation is not the same thing as an evaluation. For most evaluations, a person is required to have a translation done by a certified translator. There are a number of local companies that do translations. Some evaluation companies also provide this service.
Do I need An Evaluation?
Many new Mainers come to the US with college degrees and years of experience. They may be accountants, engineers, or some type of medical professional. Most people are interested in knowing the value of their degrees or diplomas. But is an evaluation necessary?
The answer to this question is: IT DEPENDS.
Determining the timing and necessity of an evaluation is a complicated process. It depends on:
- Professional goals
- Educational background
- English proficiency
Knowing when and how an evaluation should be done is a complicated process. It can also be expensive, with a translation costing several hundred dollars and the evaluation costing several hundred dollars as well.
What are the main questions I should ask myself if I think I want to have an evaluation done?
The main questions to ask yourself are:
- Why am I having it done?
- Who wants the evaluation report?
- How do they want the report done?
- Do I have or can I get the documents they need for the evaluation and submit them the way they want them submitted?
Why do I need an evaluation?
- Work
- School
- Professional License
Who is requesting the evaluation?
- Employer
- College or University
- Professional Licensing Agency
Who Does The Evaluation?
Colleges, employers, and licensing boards may have different requirements for which evaluating agencies they accept.
There are different agencies that do evaluations. There is a national association of some evaluation companies, NACES — National Association of Credential Evaluator Service.
Many schools and employers will accept an evaluation done by one of the agencies that belong to this group. Each agency will have different costs and requirements for how you will need to submit proof of your education.
If you think you want to go back to school how ready are you for entering a program?
- Why?
- What is the program?
- What are the English proficiency requirements?
- What is your English proficiency level?
- What are the other requirements for getting into the educational program?
- How close are you to meeting those requirements?
- What is the cost of the program, what are your financial resources for school, what other financial obligations do you have?
- What is the completion rate, graduation rate and financial burden (loans) people who enter the program leave with?
- Be a smart consumer!
What is your professional background?
If you have a technical background in engineering, computers, or some science, it may be useful for you to have an evaluation done just to show an employer that you have the technical training to do the job.
But if you are in a field that relies more heavily on previous work experience and soft skills, then you may not need an evaluation.
What types of jobs will you be applying for?
Is it an entry level position or one that will require you to use your professional skills? For an entry level position, you will probably not need to show the equivalency of your degree. You may need to show that you have at least a high school diploma. This does not need to be a US diploma. Many employers will not require proof. Of those that do, you could likely just show them an English translation of your diploma.
What is your English level?
If your English level (and computer skills) are not at the level necessary to do professional work in your field, you may first want to focus on improving these skills before you worry about an evaluation.
Do you have work authorization?
If you are not able to work yet, you may not need to have an evaluation done until you can work.
Can you afford to cover the cost of the evaluation?
Either you will need to pay for the evaluation and translation or ASPIRE, WIOA, or someone else will need to cover it.
Depending on the company that will do the evaluation and how many reports you order, an evaluation could cost between $250 and $350.
Do you have Copies, or Originals, of your Transcripts and Diploma?
Some agencies will accept copies, while others will require originals. In some cases, agencies may require original documents to be sent directly from your university. Some agencies also require that course descriptions be provided.
Are your transcripts or diploma in English?
If your transcripts and diploma are not in English, you will need to have them translated by a certified translation service.
What information is provided in an evaluation report?
- Information about the school you attended and the entrance requirement into that school
- The dates you attended
- The courses you took
- The US equivalent of your grades for each course
- The number of credits earned
- The length of your program
- The grading scale from your school
- Your grade point average
- The number of credits you took according to US standards
If your degree is the equivalent of a US degree, it will say something like: “US Educational Equivalent, Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from a regionally accredited college or university in the US.” This means that this degree would be the same as if you graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. The degrees should be considered equal.
If your degree is not the equivalent of a US degree, it might say that you have the equivalent of 3 years or 4 years of study from a US regionally accredited college or university.
Professional Licensing
Many professions in Maine are considered licensed professions. This means that to be able to do work as that type of professional, it is necessary to meet the state or national requirements for licensure for that profession. For example, even if a foreign trained engineer has a degree in engineering from their home country and has worked for 10 years as an engineer, they will still need to meet the requirements for licensure as an engineer if they want to work as a professionally licensed engineer in Maine.
The licensing process can be complicated and expensive. For most professions it will require, amongst other things:
- Evaluations of transcripts and diplomas from your home school
- Proof of work experience and/or the need to obtain additional experience in the US
- A high level of English competency
- Very difficult tests
- Additional coursework to make up for any deficiencies
NMRC Professional Licensing Guides*
As a way to help internationally trained professionals understand the licensing process for their profession, NMRC has produced a series of licensing guides.
These guides offer an overview of the licensing process. It’s important to note that these guidelines are often updated and you should confirm current licensing information with the specific licensing board. An NMRC career advisor can help you understand the most up to date information. Please note that we are in the process of reviewing and updating the guides.
*Please note that Maine laws and rules change and professional licensing boards update their procedures and make changes to their websites and applications. NMRC will make every effort to keep these guides up to date, but information may change so it is important to confirm the information in the guides with the data available on a licensing board’s website.
“There is no question that the foreign-born population is key to being able to grow Maine’s economy.”
Dana F. Conners,
President of the Maine Chamber of Commerce
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