Using Prior Learning, Exams, and Coursework at Bates Technical College
Bates Technical College may award credit for prior learning, including college coursework and standardized exams. Each student’s record is reviewed individually to determine what credit may be applied toward a Bates Tech program.
Transferring to Bates Tech at a Glance
You may be eligible to receive credit at Bates Tech if you have:
- College‑level coursework from another institution
- Advanced Placement (AP) exam scores
- International Baccalaureate (IB) exam scores
- Cambridge International (CI) exam scores
- Approved Washington 45 transfer courses
All credit decisions are made by the Registration Office and appropriate academic departments.
Important Things to Know
- Credit is not awarded automatically
- Official transcripts or test scores are required
- Credits awarded by Bates may not transfer to another college
- Transfer credit does not affect your Bates GPA
When credit is awarded:
- Credits are posted to your Bates transcript.
- Credits may fulfill distributive or elective requirements.
- Credits do not calculate into your GPA.
For more details, visit Understanding Your Transcript.
To be considered for transfer or exam credit, submit official documentation:
- AP scores: Sent directly from the College Board
- IB scores: Sent to Bates Technical College, Registration Office
- Cambridge scores: Sent to Bates Technical College, Registration Office
- College transcripts: Official transcripts required. Sent to Bates Technical College from the institution that was previously attended, usually through Parchment or directly by the previous institution.
Send documents to: Bates Technical College, Registration Office
Colleges and universities are not required to accept AP, IB, or CI credits awarded by Bates.
Students planning to transfer after Bates should always confirm credit acceptance with their intended institution.
Types of Credit Bates Tech May Accept
Bates Tech awards credit to entering students who earn qualifying scores on Advanced Placement (AP) exams. Official AP scores must be sent directly from the College Board.
Credits awarded through AP exams appear on your Bates transcript with a grade of “S” (Satisfactory).
Advanced placement credit in other subject areas may be considered in consultation with academic departments and credential evaluators.
For more information regarding AP Exams, view the SBCTC AP Crosswalk.
Minimum scores and credit awarded:
| AP Exam | Minimum Score | Bates Credit Awarded |
| Biology | 3 | BIOL& 160 (5 credits) |
| Chemistry | 3 | CHEM& 121 (5 credits) |
| Physics 1 or Physics C (Mechanics) | 3 | PHYS& 114 (5 credits) |
| English Composition | 4 | ENGL& 101 (5 credits) |
| Statistics | 3 | MATH& 141 (5 credits) |
| Precalculus | 3 | MATH& 141 (5 credits) |
| Precalculus | 4 | MATH& 141 (5 credits) and MATH& 142 (5 credits) |
| Calculus AB | 3 | MATH& 151 (5 credits) |
| Calculus BC | 3 | MATH& 151 (5 credits) or MATH& 152 (5 credits) |
| Computer Science A | 4 | CS& 141 (5 credits) |
| U.S. History | 3-4 | HIST& 146, HIST& 147, or HIST& 148 (5 credits) |
| U.S. History | 5 | HIST& 146, HIST& 147, or HIST& 148 (10 credits) |
| Microeconomics | 3 | ECON& 201 (5 credits) |
| Macroeconomics | 3 | ECON& 202 (5 credits) |
| Psychology | 3 | PSYC& 100 (5 credits) |
Students who complete IB higher‑level coursework may be eligible for college credit.
- Credit is evaluated individually.
- Official IB scores must be sent to the Registration Office.
- Credit decisions follow the SBCTC IB Crosswalk.
Students who complete Cambridge International (CI) exams may request credit.
- Credit is evaluated individually.
- Official CI scores must be sent to the Registration Office.
- Course equivalencies follow the SBCTC CI Crosswalk.
Washington 45 courses are designed to transfer among Washington community and technical colleges.
- Courses must meet Washington 45 criteria.
- Credit acceptance depends on program applicability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Processing time varies depending on volume and documentation completeness.
Yes. Appeals may be reviewed by the appropriate academic department.
It may, however is will depend on how the credit applies to your program requirements.
The Registration Office is your primary point of contact
Bates Technical College reaffirms its policy of equal opportunity. Please read our non-discrimination policy here.
Last updated: July 2026