Credits for Prior Learning

Earn College Credits for What You Already Know

Have you gained skills through work, military service, or at another college? You may be able to turn that knowledge into college credits and avoid paying for classes that cover things you already know.

At Bates Tech, Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) allows currently enrolled students to earn college credits for prior learning through previous study or non-classroom experience, including college coursework, military training, approved high school dual credit, CLEP exams, industry experience and certification programs.

Pathway 1: Transfer (Traditional) Credits

For courses you completed at another college, university, or in the military; Free

Apply eligible previous coursework toward your Bates Tech program without repeating classes.

Transfer Credits are free to apply for and may take up to 4 weeks to process.

Courses completed at Bates Tech apply directly toward your program requirements.

For courses you’ve taken from accredited U.S. colleges and universities, generally:

  • You must earn a grade of 2.0 or higher
  • Be lower-division (first- or second-year) courses.
  • The subject matter doesn’t duplicate credits you’ve already received at Bates Tech.
    • Some programs may not accept courses taken more than five years ago. Check with your instructors to be sure.

For international colleges and universities: Transcripts must be evaluated course by course by a Bates Tech-approved agency. Obtain your official transcript and submit it to an approved agency. Additional evaluation fees may apply.

Learn more: Transferring to Bates Tech.

Current and former service members should submit a Joint Service Transcript (JST) for review. Bates Tech awards credit when applicable, based on American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations. Search the ACE Military Guide to explore eligible training and potential college credit.

Learn more: Credit for Military Service.

Bates Tech awards college credit for eligible standardized exams and coursework, including:

  • Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
  • Cambridge International (CI) Exams
  • International Baccalaureate (IB) Program
  • College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Learn more: Transferring to Bates Tech.

For dual credit, visit Pierce County Careers Connection.

Pathway 2: Non-Traditional Credits

For skills and experience gained outside of a traditional classroom.

You may be able to earn college credit for knowledge and skills gained through work or other experiences without repeating coursework.

Important to know:

  • Non-traditional credits cost $40 per credit and is not covered by financial aid.
  • Non-traditional credits cannot exceed 25% of your total program credits.
  • Partial credits are not awarded.
  • These credits generally cannot be applied to general education courses. Explore transfer credit options, such as AP or CLEP exams, for general education requirements.

If you hold a valid, current certification (For example, OSHA card, EPA 608 license, etc.) in your field, you may be able to apply it toward a required course in your program.

What you need:

  • A valid industry or professional certification that was issued within the last two years
  • You must be able to obtain an electronic or physical copy of your certification which you’ll send to the transcript & credit evaluator during the review process
  • Your certification must be on the Bates Tech Industry Certificate Crosswalk (Links to an external site.)

Don’t see your certification on the list? Contact your instructor to discuss your options.

If you have worked in your field full-time for at least 2 our of the last 3 years, you may be able to apply that experience toward a required course in your program.

What You need:

  • A letter from your employer on official company letterhead that:
    • Confirms you have worked full-time in the field at least 2 out of the last 3 years
    • Describes your specific job duties that are relevant to the course

A few things to keep in mind:

  • The letter must be on official company letterhead
  • Your experience must be relevant to the specific course you are applying for
  • If you cannot find someone who can verify your work experience in writing, you likely do not qualify for this credit type. Talk to your advisor if you are unsure or contact your instructor to schedule a course challenge instead.

See a sample employer letter here:  Sample PLA Employer Letter.pdf

Ready to Get Started?

Talk to your Career Advisor

Your Career Advisor will help you figure out which pathway fits your situation, what documents you need, and whether you need to meet with your instructor.

Before your appointment:

  • Look up the courses you want credit for in the Bates Technical College Course Catalog (Links to an external site)
  • Gather what you already have (transcripts, score reports, certifications, employer letters) and write down your questions.
Schedule an appointment with your Career Advisor

Then follow the steps for your pathway:

Pathway 1: Transfer (Traditional) Credits

College coursework, military training (JST), AP/CLEP/IB/Cambridge · Free

1Request an official credit evaluation

  • Submit the Request for Credit Evaluation Form (Links to an external site)
  • Have your official transcript (or JST / official score report) sent to Bates
  • International transcripts: first get a course-by-course evaluation from a Bates-approved agency (Links to an external site) (fee may apply)

2Check what kind of course you’re transferring

  • For general education courses, for course covered by an articulation agreement: No instructor review needed. The evaluator will handle these from your official transcript.
  • For program (technical) courses from another accredited colleges/universities: your instructor may need to review these first to decide which Bates program course they match. Meet with your instructor and bring:
    • Your unofficial or official transcript from the previous college
    • A link to the courses in that college’s catalog
    • The course syllabus or other materials showing what the course covered

3Submit the application

If your instructor approves, complete Prior Learning Application for Traditional Credit (Links to an external site) together and submit it to the Registration Office (Links to an external site).

4The Transcript & Credential evaluator awards your credits

The Evaluator reviews your records (and your instructor’s approval, if applicable), notifies you of the decision, and posts approved credits to your transcript. This can take up to 4 weeks.

Pathway 2: Non-Traditional Credits

Industry certification and full-time work experience · $40 per credit transcript fee

1Meet with your instructor

Bring your evidence:

  • Industry certification: a copy of your current certification
  • Work experience: your employer letter on company letterhead

2Your instructor evaluates your evidence

Certifications and employer letters are reviewed as documents.

3Your instructor submits the application for you

If you qualify, your instructor completes the Prior Learning Application for Non-Traditional Credit (Links to an external site) and sends it to the Transcript & Credential Evaluator. You don’t need to submit anything yourself.

4Confirm and pay

The Evaluator contacts you to confirm eligibility, request any missing documents, and arrange payment ($40 per credit; not covered by Financial Aid).

5Credits are posted

Once fees are paid, approved credits appear on your transcript.