Educational Credential Assessment required for supplementary degree? (If so, which company to use?)

J

JudieByrd

New Member
Hello! First time TN status applicant here.

CONTEXT:
- I will request TN status for the NAFTA profession Research Assistant at a post-secondary University.
- Minimum educational requirement for Research Assistant is a Bachelor's degree.
- I have a Bachelor's degree (Biology) from Canada and a Master's degree (Biology) from Germany.

QUESTIONS:
(1) Since the Master's degree is not required for the Research Assistant category, do I still need an Educational Credential Assessment for it? (or should I get one to be on the safe side?)
(2) If yes, does it matter which company I use, and does anyone have recommendations?

BONUS QUESTION:
(3) Perhaps this should be a separate post, but how should the employer's letter be worded if the position title does not exactly match the NAFTA profession? In this case, the official title is "Staff Research Associate", but I will be employed to assist with research and therefore working in the capacity of a Research Assistant.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can share advice!
 
(1) No need. You may, at your later convenience, wish to get one, for future US immigration purposes, if that would ever materialize, but your Cdb bach in Biology is all you need.

(3) The TN letter should always state the TN category you are seeking approval for, and a job description, which would presumably closely match that category. The internal job title that companies like to imaginatively assign is meaningless.

Btw, an RA TN can only be granted for work at post-secondary institutes. Not private industry.

If you are applying in private industry, you should be requesting TN in Biologist category, which allows for doing research.
 
Thank you for the quick reply, and the helpful and clear information. Yes, this will be for a post-secondary institution. A quick follow up question: In the employer's letter, would you recommend avoiding any mention of my master's degree, and also avoid using the internal title? Thanks again!
 
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TN letter is not supposed to mention any of your education qualifications. The TN letter describes the job, not you. YOU provide your credentials to the officer. The sponsor doesn't need to justify why they are hiring you in particular.

It doesn't matter about job title, but in your case "staff research associate" is so close to research assistant, that even the thickest CBP officer will be able to make the link.
 
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