NIES vs Other Credential Evaluation Agencies for CPA Candidates
By SimplyCPA · 11 October 2026
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- The board decides: Each board approves its own evaluators. Using an agency your board doesn't accept wastes the fee.
- NIES-only boards: NASBA lists 26 jurisdictions where NIES is the only approved provider, including Alaska, Illinois, Montana, New Hampshire, New York (exam), Washington and DC.
- Boards accepting others: Colorado accepts NIES, NACES members or AICE; Guam accepts NIES, FACS or ERES; Massachusetts accepts NIES or CED.
- NIES specifics: $250, about six weeks, evaluates only for the CPA profession, offers an undecided evaluation, and doesn't evaluate for New York licensure.
- Texas: Not among the jurisdictions NIES serves — Texas candidates must follow the Texas board's own requirements.
Why the evaluator matters
A credential evaluation is only useful if your board accepts it. Boards approve evaluators individually, and many accept only NASBA International Evaluation Services (NIES). If you pay a different agency and then apply to an NIES-only board, you'll have to start again.
Boards where NIES is the only approved provider
According to NIES: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina (with prior approval from the North Carolina board), Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Washington, Washington DC, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Boards that accept other evaluators (examples)
| Board | Accepted evaluators (NASBA state page) |
|---|---|
| Colorado | NIES, any NACES member agency, or AICE |
| Guam | NIES, FACS or ERES |
| Massachusetts | NIES or CED |
NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) and AICE (Association of International Credential Evaluators) are membership associations of private evaluation firms.
Comparing NIES with others
| NIES | Other approved agencies | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | CPA examination and licensure only | General academic, immigration and employment evaluations, with CPA-specific reports |
| Fee | $250 | Set by each agency — compare course-by-course report prices |
| Turnaround | About six weeks after documents are complete | Varies; some offer rush service |
| Board acceptance | Over 50 jurisdictions | Only boards that list the agency |
| Extras | Undecided evaluation (up to three jurisdictions); additional education evaluation ($135) | Varies |
Special cases
- New York — NIES evaluates for exam eligibility, but not for New York licensure; the New York board reviews international education for licensure itself.
- Texas — NIES's list of jurisdictions served doesn't include Texas; follow the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy's own process.
- Illinois — NIES only, with a course-by-course evaluation required.
Rule of thumb: If you're not certain which board you'll use, start with NIES — it's accepted by the most boards, and its undecided evaluation helps you choose.