Credit for Prior Learning

Get Credit for What you Already Know!

What is Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)?

CPL refers to knowledge or skills that have been attained outside of the
traditional academic environment and that have not been previously evaluated and awarded for college credit. This is also occasionally referred to as Prior Learning Assessment Credit (PLA) and will appear as such on your official
transcript if awarded.

Ways to Earn CPL

Earning CPL through standardized exams includes but is not limited to:
- AP (Advanced Placement)
- IB (International Baccalaureate)
- UExcel
- DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests) or DLPT (Defense Language Proficiency Test)
- CLEP (College Level Examination Program)
If you have taken any of these exams and believe your results make you eligible for credit, please have your records sent to [email protected].

If you are interested in taking a DSST or CLEP exam to earn CPL, please visit the CCA Testing Center page and consult a CCA Academic Advisor.
These exams are developed and created by content experts abiding by college-wide CPL standards, processes, and templates. An Institutional Challenge exam could include a skills demonstration, or proctored by the testing center as deemed appropriate by the content expert.

If you are interested in taking an Institutional Challenge Exam to earn CPL, please contact the corresponding Department Chair for the course prefix you would like to challenge.
These assessments are developed and created by content experts abiding by college-wide CPL standards, processes, and templates. You will be given specific instructions by the content expert as to what you will need to compile and provide for evidence of your prior learning.

If you are interested in completing a Portfolio Assessment to earn CPL, please contact the corresponding Department Chair for the course prefix you would like to challenge.
Students with previous work-based training (see Military Credits for military based credit) may be eligible to earn course credit for their prior work and/or training experiences. Review the standard American Council on Education (ACE) guide, the National College Credit Recommendations Service, and the CCA PLA Credit Crosswalk to determine which, if any, of their previous work-based experiences and/or training has been mapped to college credit.
- Once you have determined the courses you would like to earn credit for within your degree plan, please submit your prior work experience documentation to the credential evaluator. If requested, you must also request that the agency that issued your training or documented any of your work experience send any required support directly to the same office at:
- Email Records: [email protected]
- Mail: Credentials Evaluator
CentreTech Campus
16000 E. CentreTech Pkwy
Aurora, CO 80011

Find courses you can challenge and the CPL Methods available on the CCA PLA Information Dashboard Matrix

FAQ’s and Additional Resources

Contact an advisor.
CPL FAQ’s
CPL Student Process Map
Check the CPL Credit Matrix to see if you have a workplace/industry credential already mapped or if there is an existing exam option available. IMPORTANT: You must still contact your department chair and provide any necessary documents for credit to be evaluated and applied.

FAQ’s and Additional Resources

Learn More About Student Support Services At CCA