Two or more degrees and Express Entry: which ones need an ECA, and how IRCC counts them

The short answer: usually only your highest credential

IRCC’s ECA page says: “In most cases, you only need an assessment for your highest level of education. For example, if you have a Master’s degree, you only need an assessment for that degree. You don’t need one for your Bachelor’s degree.”

IRCC also says you need an ECA if you completed your education outside Canada and you want to be eligible as the principal applicant for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry), or earn points for education you got outside Canada.

When you need an ECA for each credential

The same page says: “To get points for having 2 or more credentials, you need an assessment for each one. To get full points for more than 1 credential, at least 1 of the credentials must be for 3 or more years of study. The order that you complete your credentials does not affect points.”

IRCC repeats the rule under “Submit your report”: you need a valid ECA for each credential.

How the points compare

These are the core education points in IRCC’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) criteria. The first number is without a spouse or partner, the second is with one.

The “two or more” level is below a master’s. So if you have a master’s or an MBA at master’s level, assessing your bachelor’s degree as well does not raise your core education points.

Examples based on IRCC’s rules

These examples apply the rules above. They are not advice for your file.

• A 3-year bachelor’s plus a 1-year MBA: IRCC’s ECA results table lists a “One-year Master of Business Administration degree” at master’s level (126/135). The bachelor’s ECA adds nothing to core education points.
• A 3- or 4-year bachelor’s plus a 1-year postgraduate diploma or graduate certificate: an ECA for each one can reach the “two or more” level (119/128), because one credential is for 3 or more years.
• A 2-year diploma plus a 1-year certificate: neither is for 3 or more years of study, so IRCC’s rule for full points on more than 1 credential is not met.

IRCC also says the ECA result is what counts. Its results table shows “Bachelor’s degree (three years)” at bachelor’s level (112/120).

Skill transferability and the Federal Skilled Worker Program

In the CRS skill transferability section, “Two or more post-secondary program credentials AND at least one of these credentials was issued on completion of a post-secondary program of three years or longer” earns the same as a master’s or PhD. That is 25 points (CLB 7 or higher with one or more under 9, or with 1 year of Canadian work) or 50 points (CLB 9 or higher in all four abilities, or with 2 or more years of Canadian work). One post-secondary credential of 1 year or more earns 13 or 25 points. The section maximum is 50.

For the Federal Skilled Worker selection factors, education counts for up to 25 of the 100 selection points (the pass mark is 67). For foreign education you must have a completed credential and an ECA. IRCC’s ECA table gives 22 points for “Two or more”, 23 for a master’s, 25 for a PhD and 21 for a 3-year or longer bachelor’s.

Canadian credentials

IRCC says: “You don’t need an assessment for a Canadian degree, diploma or certificate.”

Points for Canadian study come from the CRS “Additional points” section: 15 points for a credential of one or two years and 30 points for a credential of three years or longer. For the Federal Skilled Worker adaptability factor, IRCC gives 5 points for “at least 2 academic years of full-time study (in a program at least 2 years long) at a secondary or post-secondary school in Canada”.

How to enter several credentials in your profile

IRCC says to go to the Study and languages form and fill in the Education history section with your first credential. Use the credential for your highest degree, diploma or certificate. Then click Save and add, and repeat for each remaining credential. IRCC says you can’t submit more than 1 educational credential in the same field.

An ECA must be less than 5 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you submit your application. IRCC says: “If you apply with an expired ECA, we’ll refuse your application.” It also says to make sure your ECA is valid for the rest of the time you’ll be in the pool.

What IRCC has not said on the pages we checked

• A mix of Canadian and foreign credentials. IRCC says a Canadian credential needs no assessment, and also says you need an assessment for each credential to get points for 2 or more. It does not explain how these fit together for a mix, such as a foreign bachelor’s plus an Ontario college postgraduate certificate. We do not say which applies.
• Whether a 3-year bachelor’s on its own meets the “3 or more years” rule. IRCC goes by the ECA result.
• Whether you must list a Canadian credential in your profile to earn the 15 or 30 additional points.
• What happens to your points if one of several ECAs expires.
• Professional degrees. A professional degree counts at master’s level only for certain fields. IRCC’s example is that “a 4-year nursing degree is not considered a first professional degree”. IRCC’s ECA page lists eight fields, including podiatry. The CRS criteria table lists seven and does not list podiatry. Check both pages.

The CRS page also still shows the work experience table that applies before November 3, 2026. The November 3 changes are about work experience and job offers, and the education points here do not change.

What this means for you

• You have a master’s or an MBA at master’s level: IRCC says you usually need an ECA only for that credential.
• You want the “two or more” level: IRCC says you need an ECA for each credential, and at least one must be for 3 or more years.
• Your credentials are all Canadian: IRCC says no assessment is needed for a Canadian credential.
• You have a mix of Canadian and foreign credentials: IRCC does not explain this case. Ask IRCC or a licensed professional.

What to do next

1. List each credential with its length in years and its country.
2. Read our ECA guide to choose a designated organization.
3. Estimate your cost with the ECA cost calculator.
4. Check your score with the CRS calculator.
5. Enter each credential in your profile, highest first, and check the date of each ECA.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an ECA for both my bachelor’s and my master’s?

In most cases no. IRCC says you only need an assessment for your highest level of education, and with a master’s you don’t need one for your bachelor’s.

When do I need an ECA for each degree?

To get points for 2 or more credentials. IRCC says you need an assessment for each one, and at least 1 must be for 3 or more years of study.

Does a Canadian degree need an ECA?

No. IRCC says: “You don’t need an assessment for a Canadian degree, diploma or certificate.”

Does the order of my degrees matter?

IRCC says the order in which you complete your credentials does not affect points.

How long is an ECA valid?

IRCC says it must be less than 5 years old when you complete your profile and when you submit your application.

Sources

• IRCC: Educational credential assessment
• IRCC: CRS criteria
• IRCC: Federal Skilled Worker selection factors

Facts as provided in our research brief dated October 18, 2026.