The US has no national office that "approves" foreign degrees. Instead, private credential evaluation companies compare your degree with US degrees. Employers, universities and licensing boards use their reports.
Step 1: choose the right evaluation
Document-by-document (general): says your degree is "equivalent to a US bachelor's degree". Often enough for jobs and immigration.
Course-by-course: lists every course with US credits and a GPA. Needed for most universities, teaching, accounting and many licenses.
Ask the employer, school or board which company and which type they accept before you pay. Many accept members of NACES (a group of evaluation companies), such as WES and ECE. Some boards use only one specific service.
Create an account on the evaluator's website.
Ask your university to send official transcripts (your grade list) directly to the evaluator, often in a sealed envelope or by secure email. Rules differ by country.
Send copies of your degree certificate and certified translations if not in English.
Pay the fee. It differs by company and service, so compare before you choose.
Reports usually take a few weeks after all documents arrive.
Step 3: licensed professions
Many jobs need a state license, even with a strong degree and years of experience. Each state board sets its own rules. Examples:
Nurses: pass the NCLEX exam. Many boards require a credential review first.
Doctors: pass the USMLE exams and usually complete a US residency (hospital training).
Engineers: a PE license is needed to sign off on public projects; many engineers work without one.
Teachers, lawyers, accountants (CPA), pharmacists, dentists, electricians, hairdressers, real estate agents and others also need licenses.
Find your profession's license with the License Finder at careeronestop.org.
This differs by state; see In your state below.
Work in a related job that does not need a license, such as research, a lab, health technician or engineering assistant.
Look for bridge programs for foreign-trained professionals at community colleges and nonprofits.
Join the professional association in your field. Many have newcomer groups.
Paying for the wrong report type and then paying again.
Sending only copies of transcripts when the evaluator needs them from the university.
Moving to another state after getting a license without checking if it transfers.