Verifying Professional Credentials: How to Check Russian and CIS Diplomas
Fake diplomas and exaggerated qualifications are common in the CIS job market. Before you hire a remote professional or accept a partner’s career story, get the documents verified.
The Diploma Mill Problem
In the early 2000s, “diploma mills” flourished in some CIS countries, selling realistic looking degrees from non-existent universities. Even today, forged diplomas from real universities are widely available. An automated scan cannot tell the difference.
Our researchers check the issuing institution’s official graduate records, verify serial numbers, and contact the university (where legally permissible) to confirm authenticity.
Professional License Checks
Doctors, engineers, lawyers, and teachers must hold state-issued licenses. We verify these against public registries — for example, the Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Healthcare (Roszdravnadzor) or equivalent bodies in Ukraine and Kazakhstan.
Read our Job Candidate Check for a complete pre-employment screening.
LinkedIn vs. Reality
Even a well-crafted LinkedIn profile can be entirely fake. Our Online Reputation Review cross-references claimed education with alumni networks and professional community memberships to spot fabrications. For employers hiring remotely from the CIS, combine this with our Remote Hiring Checklist.
Verify Diplomas Now