Polish Diploma in the USA: Evaluation, Recognition of Education, and Professional Licenses

Many people moving from Poland to the United States ask how to "nostrify" their Polish diploma. The answer is surprising: in the USA, there is no single office that recognizes foreign education, and there is no nostrification in the Polish sense. The value of your diploma is determined by the entity that requests it: employer, university, immigration office, or state licensing board. Most often, an education evaluation is required, which is a report from an independent company that compares Polish studies to American ones.

In this guide, we explain step by step what evaluation is and how to order it, what documents need to be prepared in Poland (supplement, transcripts in English, apostille, translations), how much it costs and how long it takes, what evaluation is needed for (work, studies, H-1B visas, and EB-2 green card), and then we describe the path to licensure in the most important regulated professions: doctor, dentist, nurse and midwife, pharmacist, physical therapist, lawyer, engineer, teacher, accountant, architect, and technical professions. Fees and rules often change, so we provide the source and date for each amount, and it is advisable to check the current information on the official website before submitting an application. If you are moving in the opposite direction, check out the guide on recognition of foreign diplomas in Poland.

Is There Nostrifcation in the USA?

Those arriving in the States with a Polish diploma usually ask where to submit an application for nostrification. However, in the USA, there is no single office that "recognizes" foreign diplomas. There is also no procedure similar to the Polish one, where a university issues a decision, and from that moment, the diploma has the power of a national one.

The U.S. Department of Education states this directly on the website of its International Affairs Office: “The U.S. Department of Education does not evaluate foreign qualifications or degrees”, meaning the Department does not evaluate foreign qualifications or diplomas. It also requests not to send applications or documents regarding this matter.

Who Really Decides About Your Diploma

According to the Department of Education, the diploma is recognized by the institution that inquires about it. The Department lists four main situations:

• university or school – when you want to enroll in studies,
• employer – when you are looking for a job,
• state licensing board – when you want to practice a regulated profession, e.g., doctor, nurse, licensed engineer, or teacher,
• federal immigration authorities – when the diploma is important for a visa or green card.

The same diploma can therefore be evaluated in several ways. An employer may consider it equivalent to an American bachelor’s degree, while USCIS may request additional evidence for a visa petition. Each institution evaluates for its own needs.

Evaluation Instead of Nostrifcation

In practice, almost every one of these institutions requests the same thing: an education evaluation (credential evaluation). This is a written opinion that states what American level corresponds to your Polish diploma. The Department of Education emphasizes that such evaluations are prepared by private, non-governmental companies for a fee. Regulated professions may be an exception, as some state boards evaluate documents themselves or use specialized firms from the respective industry. We will address this topic further in the guide.

The Department also notes several things worth knowing before you pay:

• the activities of evaluation companies are not subject to any federal regulation,
• the Department does not recommend any specific company or any of their associations,
• it is best to choose a company indicated by the employer, university, or licensing board to which you are submitting documents,
• different companies may evaluate the same diploma differently because they use their own criteria,
• companies usually require translations into English and have their own appeal procedure (the federal government does not participate in appeals).

NACES and AICE, Who is Who Among Evaluators

Institutions in advertisements often write “evaluation by a NACES member” or “NACES or AICE”. NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) is a trade association established in 1987. It does not perform evaluations itself. It establishes ethical and professional standards for its members, precisely because no federal office supervises this industry. As of November 2026, there were 18 companies on the NACES member list, including World Education Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), Josef Silny and Associates, Educational Perspectives, International Education Research Foundation (IERF), and The Evaluation Company, formerly known as SpanTran.

The second association is AICE (Association of International Credential Evaluators). Among its members are, among others, Foreign Credentials Service of America, Scholaro, and Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute. The names are provided solely as examples, not recommendations. Before choosing a company, check whether the institution to which you are submitting documents specifies a particular one. Some specify and do not accept opinions from others.

Document-by-document or Course-by-course

Companies offer several types of reports. The names differ between companies, but the division is similar everywhere:

WES includes the GPA on a 4.0 scale only in course-by-course reports. ECE also has an intermediate variant, a general report with an average (“General with Grade Average”). The Polish grading scale from 2 to 5 does not automatically translate to the American one. Each company uses its own conversion tables, so the same grade of five with a four may yield slightly different averages in different reports. We do not provide a conversion table because we have not found any that companies officially publish for Poland.

How Polish Diplomas Are Evaluated

Poland has been part of the Bologna Process since 1999, so studies have three levels. First-cycle studies end with a bachelor's or engineering degree, second-cycle studies with a master's or master's engineer degree. Uniform master's studies (e.g., law, medicine, pharmacy) lead to a master's degree without a bachelor's degree along the way. The third level is a doctorate.

The most doubts arise regarding the bachelor's degree. An American bachelor’s degree usually requires four years of study after twelve years of school. A bachelor's degree often lasts three years, and engineering studies usually last three and a half. Companies and universities approach this differently. There is no single answer that can be given in advance. Two published examples show how different the rules can be:

• Louisiana State University (graduate school table, version from March 4, 2021) accepts a Polish four-year bachelor's degree, a diploma of completion of higher vocational studies, or a three-year bachelor's degree plus one year of master's studies as equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. Generally, LSU recognizes three-year diplomas as equivalent only from Bologna Process countries and only issued after 2012.
• University of Northern Iowa on its page for candidates from Poland lists the bachelor's and engineering degrees among diplomas requiring at least four years of study. The master's and master's engineer degrees are placed in the group of four to five years, and the doctor’s degree in six years. When recruiting for a doctorate, the same page lists the master's and master's engineer degrees as equivalent to an American master's degree. It adds that other diplomas may also correspond to an American bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate.

This leads to a practical piece of advice: if you have a three-year bachelor's degree, first ask the target institution how it treats it, and only then order an evaluation. A master's degree after second-cycle studies or uniform studies is usually a starting point for discussing equivalence to a master’s degree, but how each company evaluates a specific program could not be confirmed in publicly available materials. The same applies to the Polish doctorate. The opinion in your case will only be issued by the company that sees the documents.

Matura and American College

When applying for undergraduate studies in the USA (including “freshman”, i.e., the first year), the high school diploma is evaluated by the university to which you are applying. The Department of Education states that many schools do this independently, while some refer candidates to evaluation companies. WES has a separate type of evaluation for freshman admissions (Freshman Admissions). The matura is not converted into points in the USA as it is in Poland. The university looks at grades from high school and its own requirements, such as tests, essays, and English proficiency. Whether results from the advanced level will grant advanced standing, each school decides for itself. We did not find general rules on this matter, so ask the admissions office of the chosen university.

Documents from Poland – what to prepare

The most time-consuming part is not the evaluation itself, but gathering the documents. Some must come directly from the Polish university, while others require translation. It is advisable to start this process before leaving or during a visit to Poland.

Basic List

• degree diploma (the original stays with you; usually, a copy or a document sent by the university is sufficient for the company – it depends on the company),
• diploma supplement – preferably also its copy in English,
• if studies were completed before 2005, when supplements were not yet issued – certificate of course completion with grades or a copy of the index,
• for high school graduation – maturity certificate and certificate of completion of high school or technical school,
• translations into English, if required by the company,
• document confirming name change, if your name today is different from that on the diploma,
• passport or another photo ID.

Supplement and Copies in English

The diploma supplement is, in practice, the Polish equivalent of the American transcript. It contains a list of subjects, grades, ECTS points, and a description of the Polish education system. According to the Higher Education and Science Act (Article 77, paragraph 2), the university issues a diploma with a supplement and two copies to the graduate. If the student submitted an application by the time of graduation, one of them can be a copy in English. An additional copy in Polish or a foreign language can also be ordered later (Article 77, paragraph 2a).

The regulation on studies (consolidated text Journal of Laws 2026, item 1207, § 36) establishes a fee of 20 PLN for a copy of the diploma or supplement in a foreign language issued outside of the basic set. The Ministry of Science explains on gov.pl (page from May 27, 2024) that there is no basis for charging fees for copies in Polish. Some universities have different amounts listed in their regulations, so check the current price list in your dean's office.

Be aware of one detail. An English copy helps, but it does not always replace a translation. WES states in its requirements that it cannot accept the English version of the document instead of a translation. In the Polish English-language copy, the professional title and study results remain in Polish (§ 22, paragraph 2 of the regulation). Therefore, ask your company whether a copy is sufficient or if a separate translation is needed.

Documents Directly from the University

Many companies do not accept academic documents sent by the graduate themselves. WES states that official academic documents must come from the university that issued them. If they are sent by mail, the graduate asks the university to send them directly to WES in a sealed envelope. The front of the envelope should have the name of the university and the WES reference number, and the seal, stamp, or signature should be on the closure at the back. Some universities have agreements with WES and send documents electronically. You upload copies of the diploma and translations to your WES account. WES requests that you do not send documents via email.

WES shows detailed requirements for Poland in the "Required Documents" tool, which requires logging in. What exactly WES currently requires from Polish universities could not be confirmed on the public website. ECE also has requirements specific to each country and warns that some documents must be sent by the university. Before calling the dean's office, check the requirements of the chosen company and ask the university:

1. whether it sends documents to foreign evaluation companies and how much it costs,
2. whether it can send them electronically,
3. whether it can seal and stamp the envelope that you will forward if the company allows it,
4. whether it requires a written application, authorization, or a personal visit.

Apostille: Diplomas from Studies are Handled by NAWA, Not the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The United States has been a party to the Hague Convention on Apostille since October 15, 1981, and Poland since August 14, 2005. Therefore, a Polish document intended for the USA receives an apostille, not full legalization. Important: as of February 1, 2018, apostilles for diplomas and supplements from Polish universities are issued by the Director of the National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA), not the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This also applies to copies in foreign languages, duplicates, certificates of completion of studies, doctoral and habilitation diplomas, and certificates of postgraduate studies. Other documents regarding the course of studies are generally authenticated by the university that issued them (Article 78, paragraph 4 of the Higher Education and Science Act), and for these, NAWA requests email contact. Exceptions also apply to documents from some ecclesiastical universities and the Polish Academy of Sciences, which are certified by other institutions, so check the list on the NAWA website.

According to NAWA's guidelines (as of November 2026):

1. You fill out an electronic application on the NAWA website, print it, and sign it by hand with a blue pen. Only an authorized representative with original authorization or an officially certified copy can sign it on your behalf.
2. You pay by bank transfer, and the amount depends on the number of documents. The fee for an apostille is based on the stamp duty act and amounts to 60 PLN per document, so a diploma and supplement cost 120 PLN. Cash payments cannot be made at the NAWA office, and cash should not be placed in the envelope with the application.
3. You submit the originals (scans and photocopies are not accepted), the application, and the payment confirmation. You can do this in person, through someone else (authorization is not needed for the submission itself), or by mail or courier to: National Agency for Academic Exchange, ul. Polna 40, 00-635 Warsaw. The office is open on business days from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, without an appointment.
4. You wait. NAWA states a period of 60 days from the registration of the complete set of documents and reserves the right to extend this in exceptional situations.

For those living in America, the most important information is about receipt. NAWA sends documents by mail only to EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. If you live in the USA, you must designate a representative for delivery in Poland in the application, e.g., a family member. Apostille does not have an expiration date. NAWA does not confirm the content of the diploma, only the authenticity of the signature and seal.

Other documents have different "owners." The apostille for the maturity certificate is issued by the director of the regional examination board (OKE). For certificates issued by schools, it is done by the education superintendent or the Ministry of National Education, depending on the type of certificate. For sworn translations, civil status documents (e.g., marriage certificate), and notarial documents, the apostille is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also for 60 PLN per document. A notarial document must be previously certified by the appropriate district court. An appointment must be made in advance in the e-Consulate system for a visit to the Legalization Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at ul. Krucza 38/42 in Warsaw. Applications sent by mail (correspondence address: al. Szucha 23, 00-580 Warsaw) are processed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 30 days of receipt and are only sent back to addresses in Poland or EU and EFTA countries.

Is an apostille even necessary for evaluation? In the WES and ECE materials we reviewed, we did not find a requirement for an apostille for documents sent directly by the university. However, some other institutions require it, e.g., for documents presented to authorities. First, check the requirements of the target institution.

Translations

The Department of Education states that evaluation companies usually require English translations of documents in other languages. WES sets clear conditions. The translation must be done by a professional translator, accurately, word for word. Handwritten, incomplete translations, those made from photocopies, or those prepared by the graduate themselves are not accepted. You upload translations to your account as PDF or JPEG. ECE offers another solution: for a flat fee of 85 dollars, there is no need to send translations at all, but such prepared translations are only for evaluation and are not received by either the client or the institution.

In Poland, the safest choice is a sworn translator of English. The list of sworn translators is maintained by the Minister of Justice and is available in a search engine on their website. Translation prices for private clients are negotiable. We do not provide rates as they depend on the translator and the volume of documents. Ask for a quote. If the translation is to have an apostille, the original sworn translation will be needed, as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not issue apostilles for photocopies.

Lost or Damaged Diploma: Duplicate

If the diploma or supplement is lost, the university issues a duplicate at the request of the graduate, based on personal records (§ 23 of the regulation on studies). The duplicate will have the word "DUPLICATE," the date of issuance, and the university seal, and it is signed by the rector or an authorized person. The duplicate does not have a photo. If you lose the duplicate as well, you can request another one. The fee for a duplicate of the diploma or supplement is 20 PLN according to § 36 of the regulation. If the university is being liquidated, duplicates and copies are signed by the liquidator or the founder of the non-public university (§ 28, paragraph 3). NAWA can also issue an apostille for a duplicate.

Name Change After Marriage

Many Polish women in the USA have their maiden name on their diploma. The regulations distinguish between two situations here. The university issues a new diploma in the new name to a graduate who has changed their name based on a administrative decision or court ruling, and this is done in exchange for the documents issued under the previous name (§ 26, paragraph 3 of the regulation). The marriage certificate is mentioned in the regulation only in the context of a name change during studies. Those who married after graduation usually end up with a diploma in their old name and attach a document about the change.

ECE advises checking whether the first name, last name, and date of birth match on all documents. If they differ, the company requests an official document explaining the change, e.g., a marriage certificate, a passport page with a photo, or a court ruling on the name change. WES states that the report always reflects the name from the documents, and if it differs from the one provided in the application, an explanatory note appears in the report. The first name, last name, and date of birth cannot be corrected later in a submitted application. Changes must be reported to customer service. The Polish marriage certificate requires translation.

Beware of e-Diplomas

Graduates from recent years will receive their diploma in a new form. Starting January 1, 2027, the university will issue the diploma and supplement free of charge in electronic form, in the electronic diploma repository, which is part of the POL-on system. The paper version along with two copies (including one in English) is prepared at the student's request only after the electronic version is issued (Article 77, paragraphs 2, 2c, and 2e of the act as of 2027, consolidated text Journal of Laws 2026, item 1362). Those who graduated before January 1, 2027, and received a paper diploma are subject to the previous rules. How American companies will accept e-diplomas, could not be confirmed. If you are finishing your studies now and planning to travel, submit a request for a paper version with English copies while still studying.

How Much Does Evaluation Cost and How Long Does It Take

The prices below are from the websites of companies checked in November 2026. These are starting prices for the basic report. Each must include shipping, and often additional copies as well. Companies reserve the right to change their price lists. WES states on its website that as of January 1, 2026, evaluation prices have increased by 3 percent, but it does not specify whether the amounts in the price list already include this increase. We provide them solely for orientation, not as a recommendation.

Waiting time counts only from the moment the company has a complete set of documents. The longest part usually involves what happens earlier: the application in the dean's office, mail from Poland, translation. According to WES's website with current deadlines (2026), document verification usually takes about 2 weeks. Then, the document-by-document report usually takes about a week (up to 2 weeks in more complicated cases), and course-by-course takes about 2 weeks (up to 4 weeks). Josef Silny and Associates states that it usually prepares the evaluation in at least 7 business days from receiving all payments and documents. Considering the shipping from Poland, it is reasonable to plan for the entire process to take at least a few weeks, and if you also need an apostille from NAWA, even a few months.

What is the purpose of evaluation

An evaluation is ordered for a specific case. Before you pay, ask the target institution three things: whether it specifies a particular company, what type of report it needs, and whether the report should come directly from the company.

Working in a private company

In regular employment, outside of regulated professions, the employer decides on the recognition of the diploma. The Department of Education advises contacting the human resources department. Some employers specify a particular evaluation company, some are satisfied with the diploma and an interview, while many do not ask at all. When the job posting states "bachelor’s degree or equivalent," a document-by-document report clearly shows that your diploma meets this requirement.

Master's and doctoral studies

When applying for graduate studies (master’s, PhD, MBA), the university decides on its own. The Department of Education reminds that many schools evaluate documents independently, while some direct candidates to companies. For graduate studies, a course-by-course report with a GPA is usually required, as the committee wants to see the subjects and grades. An example from the University of Northern Iowa: the minimum GPA for graduate studies is 2.75, and candidates with a lower GPA may be considered for conditional admission. Some programs and joint application systems require a specific company and a specific type of report, so check this in the instructions for candidates. Candidates with a three-year bachelor's degree should check the rules of the chosen university in advance, as examples from LSU and UNI show that they can vary significantly.

H-1B visa and "bachelor’s degree or its equivalent"

For the H-1B visa for specialty occupations, the diploma is one of the requirements. Regulation 8 CFR 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(C) lists four paths. The employee must meet one of them:

1. have an American bachelor’s degree or higher required for the position from an accredited institution,
2. have a foreign diploma recognized as equivalent to such a degree,
3. have an unrestricted state license (or registration or certification) that allows full practice of the profession in the state of employment,
4. have education, specialized training, and/or professional experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in the field and recognized expertise, confirmed by increasingly responsible positions directly related to that field.

The next point of the regulation, 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(D), explains how to demonstrate equivalence from the fourth path. This can be an opinion from a person authorized to award points for experience at an accredited institution, results from CLEP-type exams, evaluation of education by a reputable company specializing in foreign diplomas, a certificate from a national professional association, or an assessment by USCIS itself. Note the wording: the evaluation company assesses education (“an evaluation of education”). Professional experience is assessed through a different path.

This introduces the so-called three-for-one rule. In evaluations conducted by USCIS, for each missing year of study, three years of specialized training or experience in the field must be demonstrated. The experience must be gained among individuals with a diploma in that field, and the expertise must be recognized. For a three-year bachelor's degree, this practically means that if it is recognized as three years of American studies, the missing year can be supplemented by three years of relevant experience according to the regulation. However, such a combined assessment of education and experience is conducted by USCIS itself.

The Murthy Law Firm wrote in November 2024 that a three-year diploma is generally not considered equivalent to a four-year American bachelor’s degree, although there are other possibilities depending on the type of visa. How USCIS practically evaluates a Polish three-year Bologna bachelor's degree, could not be confirmed from an official source. This is determined case by case, so for H-1B, it is advisable to consult the documents with the employer's immigration lawyer before ordering an evaluation.

Green Card EB-2: advanced degree

In the EB-2 category for individuals with advanced degrees, the USCIS Policy Manual (Policy Manual, Volume 6, Part F, Chapter 5) defines an advanced degree as an American or foreign degree higher than a bachelor’s. There are two paths:

• an American master’s degree or higher, or a foreign diploma recognized as its equivalent,
• an American bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent plus at least 5 years of progressive professional experience gained after obtaining the degree.

The manual notes that a person without at least a bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent does not qualify for this category. Unlike the H-1B, in EB-2 the three-for-one rule cannot substitute for a missing diploma. The Murthy Law Firm adds that this rule cannot be used to meet the educational requirement in the PERM labor certification process. Simply having a diploma is not enough. The position listed in the labor certification must require a person with an advanced degree.

How much weight does the evaluator's opinion carry with USCIS

An evaluation does not bind the officer. Chapter 9 of Part E of Volume 6 of the USCIS Policy Manual states that an officer may favorably consider the opinion of an independent company if it is based solely on foreign diplomas. However, it is purely advisory (“solely advisory”), and the final decision rests with the officer. Opinions without clear justification are not persuasive.

Naturalization: diploma is not required

For American citizenship, an evaluation is not required. Among the general conditions for naturalization, the USCIS Policy Manual (Volume 12, Part D, Chapter 1) lists age, permanent resident status, periods of residence, good moral character, attachment to the principles of the Constitution, and knowledge of English and civics. The so-called educational requirements for naturalization are indeed English and civics knowledge, not a diploma.

Working in state and federal administration

Agencies usually have more formalized rules than private companies. The New York State Department of Civil Service requires an evaluation of foreign education when the job posting includes a diploma or completed subjects as minimum qualifications. It lists eleven companies, including WES, Josef Silny and Associates, and SpanTran: The Evaluation Company, and also accepts opinions from current NACES members. The candidate bears the fee. Other states and cities may have their own lists and requirements. Check them in the examination notice or on the agency's website.

In federal administration, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) requires that foreign education be equivalent to diplomas from accredited institutions in the USA. For a foreign diploma, an evaluation from a private American evaluation company is needed. Check the specific position's requirements in its posting on USAJOBS.

In regulated professions, a general evaluation usually is not sufficient. We describe them in the next part of the guide.

Regulated professions in the USA – what is a "license" and why everything depends on the state

The credential evaluation discussed in the first part of the guide only states that a Polish diploma corresponds to, for example, an American bachelor’s or master’s degree. Employers in unregulated professions usually find this sufficient. For a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or lawyer – it is not. In these professions, a license, which is a state permit to practice the profession, is required. Without it, one cannot independently treat, dispense medications, sign projects, or represent a client in court, even with the best diploma from Krakow or Gdansk.

The most important thing to understand from the start: in the USA, licenses are issued by states, not the federal government. There is no single "American law for practicing medicine." There is a Medical Board in Texas, a Board of Nursing in Florida, a Board of Law Examiners in New York. Each of these boards has its own regulations, forms, fees, and deadlines. National organizations – ECFMG, NCSBN, NABP, NCEES, NASBA, NCARB – prepare common exams and evaluate documents, but the final decision on the license is always made by the board of the specific state.

This leads to three things. First, before you spend your first dollar, choose a state (or two or three realistic options) and read the requirements of the local board. Second, a license from one state does not always transfer automatically to another. Third, the same Polish diploma may open the door to an exam in one state and require an additional year of study in another.

Briefly about the documents, as details are in the section on diploma evaluations and Polish documents: almost every path starts with ordering copies of the diploma, supplement, and transcript, sworn translation, and if required by the board, also apostille (for diplomas and supplements from Polish universities, it is issued by NAWA, not the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), and evaluation by an organization specified by the board. Note – in regulated professions, the board often specifies one particular organization (e.g., ECE for pharmacists and dentists, NIES for accountants). A report from another company, even a NACES member, may be rejected.

Doctor

The path for doctors is the longest and best described. The classic route has three stages: ECFMG certification, residency in the USA, and full state license.

ECFMG Certification. ECFMG (an organization now part of Intealth) confirms that a graduate of a foreign medical school meets the entry requirements for the American system. According to a summary from the American Medical Association from 2025, a person with ECFMG certification has met three conditions: graduated from a school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, passed USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK, and demonstrated English proficiency through the OET Medicine exam. ECFMG also requires meeting one of the "Pathways" (there are six) that confirm clinical and communication skills. ECFMG introduced these in 2020 when the Step 2 CS practical exam was suspended and expanded after its final withdrawal on January 26, 2021. The OET Medicine result is part of each pathway. ECFMG fees changed on April 1, 2026. Search results citing the ECFMG announcement list $945 for the 2027 Pathways application, but the ecfmg.org site could not be accessed while preparing this text. This amount or the fee for the Application for ECFMG Certification could not be confirmed from the primary source – check it on ecfmg.org before payment.

USMLE. The exam consists of three steps. Step 1 tests the basic sciences needed for practice, Step 2 CK tests clinical knowledge and the ability to apply it with patients, and Step 3 tests readiness for independent practice without supervision. According to usmle.org, the fee for Step 1 and Step 2 CK is $695 (rate for 2026–2027), and for Step 3 – $995. When taking the exam outside the USA and Canada, a regional fee applies (charged for administering the exam abroad, not by the USMLE program itself): $210 for Step 1 and $235 for Step 2 CK. Foreign graduates can only take Step 3 with an ECFMG certification. We do not provide OET Medicine prices, as intermediary sources list different amounts, and the organizer's website could not be verified.

Residency. With ECFMG certification, one can apply for a residency position through the Match system. Residency lasts several years, depending on the specialty. According to the AMA, most states require foreign graduates to complete at least one year of ACGME-accredited postgraduate training before issuing a full license. This is the narrowest part of the path: there are fewer positions than applicants, and Polish specialization usually does not exempt one from residency.

New state pathways from 2023. Tennessee was the first. A law signed in May 2023 allows experienced foreign doctors to work on a temporary license with an employer running a residency program, and after two years of safe practice, to obtain a full license without repeating residency. In 2024, Tennessee clarified the regulations: it requires three years of postgraduate training and three recent years of practice outside the USA, and the conversion of the temporary license to a full one is now decided by the medical board, not automatically (according to the AMA).

Following Tennessee, other states have adopted similar laws, but numbers vary depending on the source and method of counting. The AMA (2025) lists at least 17 states with enacted laws: Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The Federation of State Medical Boards in a letter dated February 6, 2026, mentioned 18 states. WES in an article from June 2, 2026, speaks of 27 states and two territories that have adopted such regulations, of which only 13 have fully implemented them and are accepting applications. This last note is crucial: an enacted law does not mean that the medical board is already processing applications.

Conditions vary between states, but the same elements recur:

• completed foreign education and postgraduate training or several years of practice (e.g., Wisconsin – at least five years after training, Florida and Arkansas – at least the last four years)
• passed USMLE Step 1 and Step 2, and in some states also Step 3 before the full license
• ECFMG certification or another verification of documents recognized by the board – according to the AMA, about half of the states on its list require this
• job offer from a facility in that state – required everywhere except Illinois (according to the AMA)
• right to work in the USA, meaning appropriate immigration status
• work under supervision during the temporary license period (e.g., Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, Nevada, Oklahoma, Wisconsin)

Traps: alternative pathways are not shortcuts for fresh graduates – they require experience. A temporary license ties one to a single employer and state. It is also unclear whether a full license from such a pathway will be recognized by other states – this could not be confirmed, so ask the board of the state to which you may move in the future. Before planning a move under this option, call the medical board of the specific state and ask if they are already accepting applications.

Dentist

Dentists have a harder time in the USA than doctors. As WES notes in its report on alternative pathways, most states require a diploma from a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). A Polish diploma of a dentist is not such a program.

Standard path – advanced standing. The most common solution is an "advanced standing" program at an American university, which ends with a DDS or DMD diploma. It usually lasts two to three years and largely repeats the last years of study. There are few places, and admission usually requires evaluation of the diploma by ECE (e.g., the University of Illinois Chicago only accepts ECE "course-by-course" evaluations), an English exam (most often TOEFL), and passing the INBDE exam.

INBDE. The Integrated National Board Dental Examination is a two-day computer-based exam: 8 hours 15 minutes on the first day, 4 hours 15 minutes on the second day, at Prometric centers in the USA, U.S. territories, and Canada. Graduates from schools outside the CODA system must have their diploma verified by Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). According to the JCNDE candidate guide for 2026, the exam fee is $890, and candidates from non-CODA accredited schools pay an additional $435 service fee. Additionally, there is the cost of the ECE report and the state clinical exam.

States with other pathways. According to WES, alternative pathways exist but are varied:

• completion of a CODA-accredited postgraduate program (AEGD, GPR, or residency) instead of repeating studies – including Alaska, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia
• evaluation of qualifications by the state board and admission to the clinical exam – Minnesota and Massachusetts
• limited license for instructors employed at an accredited dental school – 20 states, including Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Tennessee, and Washington
• dental hygienist license based on a foreign dentist diploma – Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Virginia

Trap: each state accepts different postgraduate programs, and the list changes. The WES report does not have a publication date (it cites data from 2024, the file was created in September 2024), so before choosing a state, check the regulations with the local dental board.

Nurse and Midwife

Nurse (RN). The license is issued by the state nursing board (Board of Nursing). The key is the NCLEX-RN exam, which is common to all states and administered by NCSBN. The order is important: first, you apply to the board of the state where you want to work, the board checks your education and allows you to take the exam, and only then do you register with Pearson VUE and receive your "Authorization to Test."

Many boards require diploma evaluation by a designated organization. The most well-known is the former CGFNS International, which announced a name change to TruMerit on February 25, 2025 (the new name will be in use from spring 2025). According to the TruMerit price list, the Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) Professional report costs $485 (expedited – an additional $425). The website does not provide the effective date of the price list. Which evaluation is required – TruMerit, another company, or none – depends on the state board.

The fee for NCLEX according to nclex.com: $200, plus $150 if you take it at a center outside the USA (international scheduling fee). Important: from February 1, 2027, the registration fee in the USA will increase to $350. According to NCSBN, the registration date counts, not the exam date, so anyone who registers before February 1, 2027, pays the old rate. Fees are non-refundable for any reason.

VisaScreen – for immigration only. This is not a license, but a certificate required for a work visa for selected medical professions. TruMerit issues it to nurses (RN and LPN/LVN), physical therapists, occupational therapists, physician assistants, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and laboratory diagnosticians. It includes education evaluation, verification of all held licenses, an English exam (home versions are not accepted), and for nurses, passing the NCLEX-RN or the TruMerit qualifying exam. According to the TruMerit price list, the application costs $740, expedited $650 (physical therapists cannot use it). VisaScreen and the state license must be obtained separately – one does not replace the other.

Midwife – a separate, longer path. This is one of the biggest surprises for Polish midwives. According to the American College of Nurse-Midwives guide from April 2025, to work as a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) or Certified Midwife (CM), one must pass the AMCB exam, and only individuals with a master's or doctoral degree from an ACME-accredited American program are allowed to take it. A Polish midwifery diploma alone does not open the path to the exam. A CNM must also have an RN license, so a midwife usually first follows the nursing path (TruMerit, NCLEX), and then the midwifery program in the USA. WES notes that with equivalent foreign education, even one additional course in an ACME-accredited program may suffice – the scope is determined by the program. The CM title (without a nursing license) is recognized by ACNM in only some states, including New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, and Colorado. ACNM notes that in California, the state nursing board has a separate procedure for evaluating foreign midwifery education.

Pharmacist

Pharmacists have one fairly straightforward path: the FPGEC certificate issued by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), followed by state exams. According to the NABP website, the requirements are as follows:

1. A diploma from an accredited foreign pharmacy school – for those graduating after January 1, 2003, at least a five-year program.
2. Unlimited right to practice in the country where you studied.
3. Application through an e-Profile account at NABP – from the submission date, you have two years to meet the requirements.
4. Document evaluation only by Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) – NABP will not accept evaluations from other companies. The evaluation takes about 12 weeks, and each additional requirement adds another approximately 12 weeks. Note: for NABP orders, ECE does not offer a Translation Waiver. You must provide a translation on which each page is signed and dated by the translator, on company letterhead, with the ability to identify their name. Check the ECE requirements for NABP for details.
5. English exam: TOEFL iBT at a test center (the NABP bulletin excludes the home version), and OET for Pharmacy is accepted if taken on or after January 11, 2027. From November 1, 2026, NABP will also accept TOEFL "MyBest" scores (for FPGEE in 2027).
6. FPGEE – the exam is held once a year (the next date according to NABP: October 7, 2027), the passing threshold is 75 points, and results appear after about 8 weeks. You have two years from the acceptance of your application to pass the FPGEE.

After FPGEC, you still need to meet state requirements: pass NAPLEX and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE), and in many states, complete an internship in a pharmacy. NABP refers to state boards here, and the number of internship hours and current fees for NAPLEX/MPJE could not be confirmed from the primary source. According to NABP's refund policy, the FPGEC application fee includes a $100 administrative fee and the document evaluation fee and is non-refundable. The NABP bulletin (in the version visible in search results, the rate from March 1, 2024) states $650 for evaluation, totaling $750. The bulletin itself could not be opened, so check the current amounts with NABP before payment.

Trap: from January 21, 2026, ETS will report TOEFL iBT scores on a new scale from 1 to 6, and NABP has updated the required thresholds for each part of the test. Old tables from the internet ("84 points, speaking 26") may be outdated.

Physical Therapist

Licenses are issued by state physical therapy boards, and the NPTE exam is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). Before the exam, a foreign physical therapist must undergo an education evaluation. The most popular organization is FCCPT, and many states use its "Type 1" evaluation.

According to the FCCPT price list, "Type 1 for Licensure" and "Type 1 for Immigration" (the version needed for the visa) cost $1340 each and take about 23–25 weeks. The evaluation compares the study program with the Coursework Tool version 6 (CWT6), and for the immigration certificate (Health Care Worker Certificate), you need to have at least 210 semester points in total and a master's degree or higher in any field. FCCPT states that its "Type 1" evaluation is used for licensure in states including California, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Utah, New Mexico, Nebraska, North Dakota, Louisiana, and the District of Columbia. Other states may specify different organizations.

FCCPT language requirements (from May 12, 2026, on the new TOEFL iBT scale): reading, listening, and writing 3.5, speaking and overall score 4.5. California requires 4.5 in each part and in the overall score, from one attempt. FCCPT also accepts IELTS Academic (6.5 overall, 7 in speaking), among others.

NPTE is held on fixed dates – in 2026, these were January 27–28, April 28–29, July 28–29, and October 27–28, with the registration and payment deadline about five weeks earlier. According to the FSBPT candidate handbook, the exam fee is $485, and the Prometric fee for NPTE for physical therapists is $112. Trap: a Polish bachelor's degree in physical therapy without a master's degree will not meet the master's requirement for the FCCPT immigration certificate and may not meet the CWT6 requirements.

Lawyer

American law is state law, so the legal profession is state-based. Admission to the bar exam is determined by the state board. A Polish graduate in law realistically has two most popular paths: New York and California.

New York. The New York State Board of Law Examiners applies rule 520.6 for foreign graduates. First, you must submit an application for an advance evaluation through the BOLE account – deadlines are very early: for those who need an LL.M., by May 1 of the year preceding the February exam or by October 1 of the year preceding the July exam. Polish law is not a common law system, so a Polish graduate usually "fixes" the deficiency by obtaining an LL.M. from an ABA-accredited American law school. The requirements for LL.M. are detailed:

• at least 24 credits, exclusively in-person courses on a campus in the USA (no online learning)
• at least two semesters outside of summer, each lasting at least 13 weeks
• mandatory: 2 credits in professional ethics, 2 in legal research and writing, 2 in introduction to U.S. law, and 6 in subjects tested on the New York exam
• completion within 24 months from the start

You can fix a "temporal" or "substantive" deficiency, but not both at the same time. The evaluation itself can take up to six months from the receipt of the complete documents. The application fee for admission to the exam is $750 and is non-refundable if you are found ineligible – therefore, the Board advises those doing LL.M. to wait with the application and payment until a qualification decision is made.

California. According to the State Bar of California, a person with full legal practice rights in another country (e.g., a Polish lawyer or legal advisor) can take the exam without additional education. A law graduate without professional qualifications must, among other things, demonstrate diploma equivalency through an approved evaluating agency and complete a year of legal studies (usually LL.M.) at a school accredited by the ABA or California.

Almost everywhere, you also need to pass the MPRE ethics exam – according to NCBE, all jurisdictions require it except Wisconsin and Puerto Rico. Trap: LL.M. costs tuition for a whole year in the USA.

Engineer

Most engineers in the USA work without a license. A Professional Engineer (PE) license is required when you sign and seal projects submitted to authorities, offer engineering services directly to clients, or supervise such work.

According to NCEES, licensure requires education, experience, and exams. A graduate of a program without ABET accreditation (thus a typical Polish engineer) usually needs an NCEES Credentials Evaluation. NCEES compares the diploma with its standard: at least 32 semester credits in advanced mathematics and basic sciences and 48 credits in engineering sciences and design. The evaluation costs $400, re-evaluation $100, and sending to another board is free. NCEES advises first asking the state board whether evaluation is even necessary.

There are then two exams:

• FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) – computer-based, 110 questions, about 6 hours visit, available year-round at Pearson VUE centers. Fee $225 (in some foreign centers $250).
• PE (Principles and Practice of Engineering) – an exam in a chosen field, intended for individuals with at least four years of experience after graduation. According to the individual PE exam pages on ncees.org, the fee for NCEES is $400. In some foreign centers, it is higher, and the state board usually charges a separate fee. Some PE exams are held year-round, while others once a year.

Trap: experience requirements (e.g., whether work in Poland counts and under whose supervision) are set by the state. Some boards require that the experience be supervised by a licensed PE.

Teacher

Public school teachers are certified by state departments of education. The example of New York shows a typical procedure. Foreign candidates obtain certification through "Individual Evaluation." The report from the evaluation of foreign education must be sent directly by the evaluating organization from the list accepted by NYSED (members of NACES or AICE) – the report brought by the candidate will not be accepted by the office. NYSED notes that the report is only one of the requirements.

The remaining steps in New York include, among others, an account in the TEACH system, NYSTCE exams (usually Educating All Students and a subject test, i.e., Content Specialty Test), required training (workshops), and fingerprints. Individuals who completed teacher preparation outside the USA cannot use the path for graduates from other states. Other states have a similar structure but their own exams and lists of evaluating firms. To work in New York City schools, you also need the right to work in the USA. Trap: the certificate pertains to a specific subject and teaching level, so a Polish math teacher with qualifications to teach in high school must choose the appropriate certificate title.

Accountant and Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

The closest equivalent to a Polish certified auditor is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Licenses are issued by state boards of accountancy, and the Uniform CPA Examination is common. Foreign education is usually evaluated by NASBA International Evaluation Services (NIES). NIES serves 53 jurisdictions (48 states, the District of Columbia, and four territories) and, according to its website, completes evaluations in about 6 weeks from receiving a complete set of documents. However, the list of served jurisdictions does not include, for example, Texas or Wisconsin, and North Carolina requires prior approval from its board – in such states, you need to check what evaluation the board expects. The current fee for NIES could not be confirmed on the NASBA website (intermediary services provide various amounts).

Important change: on May 14, 2025, the AICPA and NASBA boards approved a change to the model law (Uniform Accountancy Act), adding a path to licensure with a bachelor’s degree, two years of experience, and passing the exam. The previous path remains: bachelor’s plus an additional 30 credits or bachelor’s and a master’s degree, plus one year of experience and passing the exam (this is the so-called "150-hour rule"). However, each state must adopt this change through its own law or regulation. Trap: not only diplomas are evaluated, but also the number of hours in accounting and business, so a Polish master's degree in economics without accounting subjects may have deficiencies to be filled.

Architect

Licenses are issued by state architecture boards, and common standards are set by NCARB. A graduate of architecture from outside the USA and Canada without a license undergoes an EESA evaluation (conducted by NAAB, ordered through an NCARB account) – the fee according to the NAAB price list is $2500 and is non-refundable. Next, you need to gain experience in the AXP program and pass the ARE exam. An architect with full qualifications in another country can use the International Architect Path: education is confirmed by a foreign license, but they also undergo AXP and pass ARE, and then can obtain NCARB certification. According to NCARB, most jurisdictions accept this certification for licensure on a reciprocal basis, but the certification itself does not grant the right to practice. Not all states accept EESA evaluations, so NAAB advises ordering it only if your state board recognizes it.

Other Professions – Electrician, Plumber, and Similar

Trades can also be regulated, but even more locally. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2026), most states require licenses for electricians, and the exam covers the National Electrical Code and state and local regulations. A typical path is a four or five-year apprenticeship, with about 2000 hours of paid work per year. Licenses for plumbers are required by most states and some cities according to BLS, usually after 2–5 years of experience and an exam. Polish SEP qualifications or a technical school diploma may help in finding a job in a company, but will not replace a state or city license. Start with your state and city licensing office – in some places, the city issues the license, not the state.

Overview: who evaluates, what exam, sample fees

Amounts are organizer fees, not the full cost. Each path incurs translation, document shipping, preparatory courses, travel for exams, and state fees for the license itself. Prices change – always check them before payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work in the profession before I get my license?

No, not independently. Without a license, you cannot perform activities reserved for the profession. However, you can work in positions that do not require a license – such as an assistant in a clinic, laboratory worker, engineer under the supervision of a PE, or paralegal in a law firm. Some states issue temporary or limited licenses (e.g., for physicians on new state pathways), but always with a specific employer and under supervision.

Can a Polish doctor start practicing in the USA right away?

No. At least an ECFMG certification (USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK, OET Medicine) and a state license are required. Traditionally, this also requires residency in the USA. On new state pathways, an experienced physician can start working on a temporary license without residency, but only after passing the exams, with a job offer, and under supervision, and only in states that are currently accepting applications.

How long does it all take?

It depends on the profession. The evaluation of documents alone takes from a few weeks (NIES – about 6 weeks) to about 12 weeks (ECE for NABP) to 23–25 weeks (FCCPT). Additionally, there is preparation for exams. A doctor on the traditional pathway should expect several years (exams plus residency), a dentist usually two to three years in an advanced standing program, and a midwife – with a master's degree in the USA.

Is a diploma evaluation from WES sufficient for me?

In unregulated professions, it often is. In regulated professions, the board may specify one organization: ECE for pharmacists and dentists, usually NIES for accountants and NCEES for engineers, FCCPT or another for physical therapists. Before ordering an evaluation, check which one your state board accepts – otherwise, you will pay twice.

Does a license from one state work in others?

No, not automatically. There are facilitation measures for transferring licenses (e.g., NCARB certification for architects, which most states accept), but the rules differ for each profession. Passing the bar exam in New York does not grant the right to practice in California.

Are all exams in English, and do I need a language test?

Yes, licensing exams are in English. In many professions, you also need to prove language proficiency separately: OET Medicine for doctors, TOEFL iBT (from 2027 also OET) for pharmacists, TOEFL or IELTS for physical therapists and with VisaScreen. Note the new TOEFL score scale from 2026 – check thresholds on the organizations' websites, not in old guides.

Can a Polish midwife work in the USA as a midwife?

No, not immediately. According to ACNM, only individuals with an American master's or doctoral degree from an ACME-accredited program are eligible for the AMCB exam. A CNM title also requires an RN license. A Polish midwife usually starts with the nursing pathway and then completes her education in an American midwifery program (the scope is determined by the program).

As a Polish lawyer or legal advisor, can I take the bar exam right away?

In California – according to the State Bar of California – full rights to practice abroad allow you to take the exam without additional studies. In New York, the evaluation of education according to rule 520.6 determines eligibility, and Polish graduates usually need an LL.M. in the USA. In both states, you also need to pass the MPRE.

Where do I start if I am still in Poland?

Choose a state, read the requirements of its board, order the documents required by the specified evaluating organization from your Polish university, and take the language test. Some steps can be completed before leaving: document evaluation, language test, and USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK can also be taken outside the USA (check the availability of a center in Poland during registration). FE and PE NCEES are not offered in Poland – foreign center locations include Canada, Japan, Korea, and Turkey.