Credential Verification: Decreasing Processing Times
Credential verification is the first step for all NDEB pathways. It is a multi-stage process that begins once all required documents are received by the NDEB.
Credential verification is the process of confirming that an applicant has obtained the appropriate credential to practice in their field and that the individual who has made the application is the one who was awarded the credential.
The pool of examinees in the Equivalency Process is the largest of the four NDEB examination programs with the number of applicants steadily increasing over the last four years. With some NDEB services shut down in the early months of the pandemic already long wait times for credential verification were exacerbated.
Over the last several months, the credential verification team has reviewed processes and implemented strategies to reduce application processing times. Part of the strategy was to provide increased opportunity to engage with NDEB staff, ask questions, and see examples of common errors. To this aim, the NDEB held a focus group in which it asked new and potential applicants for feedback on the application and required documents. Additionally, a webinar was held with the credential verification staff to review the required documents and provide tips on how to submit those documents correctly the first time.
With these and other strategies in place, credential verification processing time for Equivalency Process has been reduced from 12 months to approximately 22 weeks. Applications are processed in the order they are received once all documentation has been provided. The length of time it takes for an application to be approved varies and can depend on many factors, including if it is considered a precedent file and if documents were submitted according to the criteria outlined in the Required Documents.
Credential verification is most efficient when documents are submitted correctly, following the application requirements. The NDEB has updated the Required Documents list to include current tips and country-specific information. We encourage applicants to review the information as it is updated based on applicant feedback, common submission errors, and research findings by region.