Credit for Prior Learning
Montgomery College values the knowledge and experience you bring. Whether gained through exams, work, military service, or life experiences, our Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) options allow you to turn that learning into college credit. By recognizing what you already know, we help you accelerate your path to a degree or certificate — getting you closer to your educational and career goals faster.
- Earn college credit for exams, work experience, military service, or life experiences.
- Accelerate your degree or certificate completion with CPL.
- Save money on tuition by applying awarded credits toward your program.
- Reduce costs and time by leveraging the credit you’ve already earned.
Contact us today to get the credit you deserve!
Email: learningrecognition@montgomerycollege.edu
For detailed information on Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) at Montgomery College refer to the Montgomery College Guidelines for Credit for Prior Learningnew window.
The University of Cambridge Press & Assessment offers globally recognized examinations across a range of subject areas, enabling students to earn college credit for knowledge they have already acquired.
At Montgomery College, students may be eligible to receive credit for prior learning (CPL) based on their performance in Cambridge AS Level or A Level exams. To request a review of an exam for credit for prior learning (CPL), students should contact the Office of Learning Recognition and Advancement at learningrecognition@montgomerycollege.edu.
- Montgomery College does not administer the Cambridge AS Level or A Level exams. For detailed information about these exams, students should review the Cambridge International Education website at the following link Cambridge International AS Level and A Levelsnew window.
The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) allows students to earn college credit for what they already know by achieving qualifying scores on any of the 38 CLEP exams accepted by Montgomery College.
CLEP exams can be taken at the Montgomery College Assessment and Testing Centers on any campus or through the remote testing option offered by the College Board.
CLEP Exam Registration Options
- Montgomery College Assessment and Testing Centers
- Visit the Montgomery College CLEP Testing Center website for details on locations, registration, scheduling, and procedures at the following link: Register for College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) Examsnew window
- College Board Remote Testing Option
- Take a CLEP exam from home using the College Board’s remote proctoring service.
- For more information, including pricing and technical requirements, visit Take a CLEP Exam with Remote Proctoringnew window.
- General CLEP Registration and Details
- Visit Register for an Examnew window for information on how to register, required forms, costs, test dates, and additional testing locations.
- When registering, be sure to have your scores sent to Montgomery College; the Montgomery College CLEP code is 5440.
Military Service Members and Veterans
Military service members may be eligible to have CLEP exam fees covered by DANTES.
Military members and veterans are encouraged to visit the DANTES, Graduate Sooner with CLEP Exams websitenew window, for information on eligibility and the College Credit by Examination (CLEP) program.
To view the CLEP exams accepted by Montgomery College, along with course equivalencies and required passing scores, visit the Montgomery College CLEP Exams and MC Equivalencies websitenew window.
DSST exams are college-level equivalency assessments that allow students to document and demonstrate their knowledge in specific subject areas. These exams provide an opportunity for students to earn college credit at Montgomery College by achieving qualifying scores on approved DSST exams.
Please note that Montgomery College does not administer DSST exams. Students can find information about DSST exams, which are offered and administered by Prometric, on the official DSST new windowwebsite.
- Military service members and veterans may be eligible to have DSST exam fees covered by DANTES. They are encouraged to visit the DANTES website for more information on College Credit by Examination (DSST)new window.
To view the DSST exams accepted by Montgomery College and their corresponding MC course equivalencies, please refer to DSST Exams and MC Equivalentsnew window in the Montgomery College Guidelines for Credit for Prior Learning.
Advanced Placement (AP) exams provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and earn college credit. While AP exams are typically taken after completing a high school AP course, they are open to all students and not limited solely to high school participants.
- U.S. high school students often take AP exams while enrolled in high school. When registering, students are instructed to provide a school code so their official AP score report can be sent directly to the institution of their choice.
- If a student did not provide Montgomery College’s school code when registering for the exam, they may request that a copy of their scores be sent by contacting the College Boardnew window directly.
To view the list of AP exams accepted by Montgomery College, along with credit-granting
scores and MC course equivalencies, refer to the Montgomery College Advanced Placement (AP) Equivalencies (PDF, 
) .
Montgomery College School Codes
- Germantown Campus: 5393
- Rockville Campus: 5440
- Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus: 5414
The International Baccalaureate® (IB) assesses student work as direct evidence of achievement against the stated goals of the Diploma Programme (DP) courses (see Assessment & exams - International Baccalaureate®).
- IB exams are available to high school students (typically up to age 19) who are enrolled in an International Baccalaureate (IB) program and have completed the corresponding IB course.
- U.S. high school students typically take IB exams while enrolled in high school. Students are instructed to provide a school code to have their official IB score report sent directly to Montgomery College.
- If a student did not provide Montgomery College’s school code when registering for the exam, they may request that a copy of their scores be sent by contacting the International Baccalaureate (IB)new window directly.
To view the list of IB exams accepted by Montgomery College, along with credit-granting
scores and MC course equivalencies, refer to the Montgomery College IB Exam – MC Equivalents (PDF, ) list.
Institutional Credit by Examination (CE) refers to assessments developed by subject matter faculty experts within the respective academic disciplines. These exams provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of course objectives. Students who achieve a passing grade of “C” or higher on an institutional credit by examination may be awarded academic credit for prior learning.
At Montgomery College, institutional credit earned through examination, at times referred to as the MC Challenge Exam, is identified in the course catalog by the “CE” (Credit by Examination) designation.
To view the list of courses designated as Credit by Exam (CE) and discipline contact information, refer to the Montgomery College Guidelines for Credit for Prior Learning, Institutional Credit by Exam (CE)new window.
Portfolio assessments offer students with relevant work experience the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of course objectives through documented evidence. Portfolios must be prepared and organized in accordance with the assessment rubric developed by the respective discipline. All portfolio submissions are reviewed and evaluated by discipline subject matter faculty experts, following the established rubric. Discipline faculty are also responsible for determining which courses are eligible for credit through the prior learning portfolio assessment process.
Students may be awarded credit for prior learning that applies towards Montgomery College graduation through the successful completion of certain industry certifications or industry licensures.
Montgomery College may award credit for prior learning for successful completion of the following:
- Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certifications
- G-1 Maintenance and Light Repair
- A-1 Engine Repair
- A-2 Automatic Transmission/Axles
- A-3 Manual Drive Train & Axles
- A-4 Suspension & Steering
- A-5 Brakes
- A-6 Electrical/Electronic Systems
- A-7 Heating and Air Conditioning
- A-8 Engine Performance
- L-1 Advanced Engine Performance
- L-3 Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist
- Child Development Associate (CDA) National Credential issued by the Council for Professional Recognition
- EPA 608 Certification (Environmental Protection Agency)
- Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)
- National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician
- ServSafe Certification
Students may be awarded credit for prior learning that applies toward Montgomery College graduation through the successful completion of approved apprenticeship programs.
Montgomery College may award credit for prior learning for successful completion of the following apprenticeship programs:
- Association of Air Conditioning Professionals Apprenticeship Program (ACCA-NCC)
- Local 26: Electrical Apprenticeship
- Local 602 Steamfitters Apprenticeship Program (Journeymen, Apprentices, and helpers in Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Process Piping)
Montgomery College may award credit for prior learning (CPL) based on military training completed by active-duty service members and veterans, as documented on Joint Services Transcripts (JST)new window or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF)new window transcripts. Credits will be awarded “on the basis of recommendations issued by the American Council on Education (ACE)new window in its ‘ACE Military Guide” (MC Academic Regs, 3.8.A).
Resources for Military Service Members
Military service members are encouraged to visit the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) websitenew window for no-cost education and career planning resources. DANTES also provides information
on possible eligibility for exam fee waivers for CLEP and DSST exams.
Resources for Military Spouses
Military spouses may be eligible for the My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) Scholarship
Program, which may cover the costs of CLEP or DSST exams. For more information, visit
the Military OneSource: Spouse Education & Career Opportunities website at MyCAA — Financial Assistance for Military Spousesnew window.
Military spouses are also encouraged to contact the Montgomery College Office of Learning Recognition and Advancement for more information about available credit for prior learning (CPL) opportunities.
Montgomery College may award credits based on the American Council on Education (ACE)new window recommendations. All American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations are reviewed by Montgomery College Subject Matter Faculty Experts (SMFE) to determine if the American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations meet discipline course objectives.
Noncredit-to-credit internal articulation agreements are established between programs that have collaborated to align Montgomery College (MC) noncredit courses or trainings with MC credit course objectives. This alignment is formalized through a documented, evidence-based crosswalk and approved through a review process involving discipline faculty as the subject matter experts, department chairs, academic deans, and Academic Leadership.
For detailed information on eligibility, grading and GPA, transferability, and applicable fees related to MC noncredit-to-credit pathways established through internal articulation agreements, please refer to Section 3: Credit for Prior Learning Assessment Methods new windowin the Montgomery College Guidelines for Credit for Prior Learning.
Coming soon!
The College is pleased to offer program, unit, and discipline areas the opportunity to create microcredentialsnew window. Microcredentials, also known as “badges,” are ways of certifying that a list of specific competencies or skills has been achieved. They represent the mastery of certain skill sets that build up to a certificate or credential; these skills should be relevant and of value to employers. Suitable for credit and workforce development students and Montgomery College employees, micro-credentials should align to other available credentials and help demonstrate that the person has learned new skills or competencies that underpin a career and academic pathway.
Visit the Microcredentials at MC websitenew window for more information.
CTE new windowarticulation agreements allow students to earn college credit at Montgomery College (MC) by enrolling in, and successfully completing, identified courses associated with select programs of study offered by at Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).
Programs of Study include: Automotive Technology, Business, Construction & Development, Criminal Justice, Education, Engineering, IT and more.
Coming Soon!
Coming Soon!
For detailed information on Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) at Montgomery College please refer to the Montgomery College Guidelines for Credit for Prior Learningnew window.
Please note, that each higher education institution establishes its own policies regarding the acceptance and awarding of credit for prior learning (CPL), including the transferability of such credits. Institutions are not required to recognize CPL credits in the same manner as Montgomery College. Therefore, students should contact the receiving institution to determine how CPL credits awarded by Montgomery College may transfer.
Office of Learning Recognition and Advancement
Email: learningrecognition@montgomerycollege.edu
Last updated 5/19/2025