IERF

The International Education Research Foundation (IERF) is a non-profit, public-benefit credentials evaluation agency based in the United States. Established in 1969, it describes itself as the first credentials evaluation service not only in the U.S. but also in the world. IERF conducts research on international education and prepares credentials evaluations for persons who have studied outside the United States and who need a statement of educational equivalency. Its reports are used for further education, professional licensure and certification, employment, immigration, and military enlistment. IERF was founded by Inez Sepmeyer and Ted Sharp, who were admissions officers at UCLA and California State University Northridge, respectively. They recognized the need for a systematic way to evaluate foreign academic credentials for admission and placement purposes. Over more than five decades, IERF has processed over 580,000 evaluations and has become one of the most respected evaluation agencies in the country. Its equivalency policy is determined by examining world educational systems and how a program best fits into the U.S. system. IERF is a Founding Member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES®), a recognizing body for credentials evaluation services in the United States. The organization maintains long-standing relationships with many colleges and universities, as well as state licensing and certification boards. Its multinational and multilingual team of experts has demonstrated knowledge of over twenty languages, including Afrikaans, Arabic, Armenian, Bemba, Belarussian, Cantonese Chinese, Catalan, Dutch, Farsi, Filipino, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Laotian, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, Slovak, Spanish, Taiwanese, Thai, and Ukrainian. Many staff members have lived and studied abroad. IERF serves both individuals and institutions. For individuals, it provides foreign credentials evaluation services that help with further education, professional licensure and certification, employment, immigration, and military enlistment. For institutions, it offers evaluation reports that assist with admissions, transfer credit, and hiring decisions. The organization is headquartered in Culver City, California, and operates primarily in the United States while evaluating credentials from countries around the world. As a non-profit entity, IERF is governed by a board of directors. The organization has announced the retirement of an executive director and the appointment of a successor, indicating ongoing leadership transitions. IERF continues to be a key player in the field of international education and credential evaluation, celebrating five decades of service.

The International Education Research Foundation (IERF) was established in 1969 as the first credentials evaluation service not only in the United States but also in the world. It was founded as a non-profit, public-benefit agency by Inez Sepmeyer and Ted Sharp, who were admissions officers at UCLA and California State University Northridge, respectively. They recognized the need for a systematic method to evaluate foreign academic credentials for admission and placement purposes. From its inception, IERF focused on research on international education and the preparation of credentials evaluations for persons who studied outside the United States and needed a statement of educational equivalency. The organization developed an equivalency policy determined by examining world educational systems and how a program best fits into the U.S. system. IERF is a Founding Member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES®), a recognizing body for credentials evaluation services in the United States. This membership underscores its role in establishing standards for the field. Over the decades, IERF has built long-standing relationships with many colleges and universities, as well as state licensing and certification boards. With over five decades of experience, IERF has processed over 580,000 evaluations and is one of the most respected evaluation agencies in the U.S. Its multinational and multilingual team of experts has demonstrated knowledge of over twenty languages, and many staff members have lived and studied abroad. IERF's expertise is often sought for conference presentations and publications. In recent years, IERF's board announced the retirement of its Executive Director and the appointment of a successor, marking a leadership transition. The organization continues to serve individuals and institutions, celebrating five decades of service in international education.

• 1969

  IERF founded as the first credentials evaluation service in the U.S. and the world by Inez Sepmeyer and Ted Sharp.

• IERF becomes a Founding Member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES®).

• IERF processes over 580,000 evaluations and celebrates five decades of service.

• Board announces retirement of Executive Director and appointment of successor.

The oldest and one of the most respected foreign credentials evaluation services in the United States, known for its rigorous research-based equivalency policies and multilingual expertise.

• Foreign Credentials Evaluation Service

  IERF evaluates international credentials and issues equivalency reports for individuals and institutions.

• Educational Credential Evaluation Reports

  Reports used for further education, professional licensure and certification, employment, immigration, and military enlistment.

1. 1IERF – Credentials Evaluation Service – Chartered NACES Memberierf.org
2. 2Privacy Policy, Conflict of Interest Policy & Whistleblower Policy - IERFierf.org
3. 3About IERF - International Education Research Foundationierf.org
4. 4Fun Facts & Factoids - IERFierf.org