The United States has not designated an authority to recognize foreign degrees and other types of qualifications. Therefore, there are three entities that are often regarded as competent authorities for reviewing and recognition matters:
- Schools and higher education institutions
- Hiring employers
- State and Regional licensing boards for regulated professions
Most of the entities above also rely on professional credential verification services – independent organizations that analyze foreign qualifications and give recommendations on how particular qualifications compare to similar United States issued qualifications among professions and academic institutions. The cost of these verifications vary depending on how complex the evaluation will be and the amount of documentation available on the type of qualification being analyzed. The expenses are covered by the individual being evaluated or the employer/institution reviewing the qualifications for admission.