The College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP) helps you receive college credit for what you already know, for a fraction of the cost of a college course. Developed by the College Board, CLEP is the most widely accepted credit-by-examination program, available at more than 2,900 colleges and universities. Pass any of the 33 CLEP exams and achieve your college and career goals.
CLEP for
Test Takers
Get college credit for what you already know.
CLEP helps you earn college credit for knowledge you've acquired through independent study, prior course work, on-the-job training, professional development, cultural pursuits, or internships. Save time. Save money. Achieve your goals with CLEP.
CLEP for
Institutions
Connect your students to college-level study and college degrees.
A proven retention, persistence and college completion tool, CLEP allows many self-directed students of a wide range of ages and backgrounds to demonstrate their mastery of introductory college-level material in 33 exams, and pursue greater academic success.
Developed by the College Board, the people behind AP and SAT, the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) has been the most widely trusted credit-by-examination program for over 40 years, accepted by 2,900 colleges and universities and administered in over 1,700 test centers.
CLEP exams test mastery of college-level material acquired in a variety of ways — through general academic instructions, significant independent study or extracurricular work. CLEP exam-takers include adults just entering or returning to school, military service members and traditional college students.
Testimonials
Benefits of CLEP
Watch CLEP in Action!
Kaitlyn O. Rawlings
Student
Thomas Edison State College
"I earned over 40 credits through CLEP and completed my entire BA in English in just a year and a half"Jeffrey R. Worsham
Student
University of Oklahoma
"CLEP saved me a year of college and over $10,000!"Megan Melton
Student
Front Range Community College
"As a full-time student, mom and employee, my time is very tight."Alexis Youngblood
Student
Rock Valley Community College
"[CLEP] saved me approximately $570, which went toward a new laptop."Abe Sanchez
Student
Texas A&M International University
"CLEP truly rewards you for what you know."Shane Baumgardner
Student
Home School
"CLEP has saved me money, time and given me an opportunity to learn and retain the subject matter."John C. Donaldson
Student
Hennepin Technical College
"CLEP testing has helped me to save money, time and energy."Cindi Baumgardner
Parent
Home School
"CLEP made all the difference."
Next Steps
Try a Practice Test
Decide on the exams you want to take.
Register to take an exam.
Prepare to take your exams.
Search Institutions
Find out if your institution accepts CLEP.
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University of LouisvilleAccepting credit for 33 CLEP Exams. -
Hennepin Technical CollegeAccepting credit for 27 CLEP exams. -
Texas A&M InternationalAccepting credit for 18 CLEP exams. -
GatewayAccepting credit for 30 CLEP tests. -
The University of ArizonaAccepting credit for 27 CLEP tests. -
University of KentuckyAccepting credit for 29 CLEP tests.
The College Board’s College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) has been the most widely trusted credit-by-examination program for over 40 years, accepted by 2,900 colleges and universities and administered in more than 1,700 test centers. This rigorous program allows students of a wide range of ages and backgrounds to demonstrate their mastery of college-level material in introductory subjects and earn college credit. Students can earn credit for what they already know by getting qualifying scores on any of the 33 examinations.
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Testimonials
A Proven College Completion Tool
Watch CLEP in Action!
Testimonial Source:Institution
Anthony G. Dotson
Veterans Res. Ctr. Coordinator
University of Kentucky
Testimonial Source:Institution"I’m a huge proponent of CLEP, in fact I CLEP’ed my freshman year of college. I encourage all incoming veterans to consider taking CLEP prior to their arrival at UK. Especially if they have not left active duty, as the exams are at no cost to them. CLEP can allow these nontraditional students to enter college a little better prepared and not as far behind their traditional student peers."
Cindy Sproehnle
Assessment Center Director
Gateway Community & Technical College
Testimonial Source:Institution"CLEP testing is a valuable resource and tremendous opportunity for students to earn college credit for what they already have learned! I've always encouraged our community-college students to take advantage of this opportunity. My children, friends and relatives have also benefitted from taking CLEP exams, and are now great believers in CLEP exams and their benefits!"
Sharon Ercey
Testing Coordinator
Western Kentucky University
Testimonial Source:Institution"Why is it that WKU administers more CLEP tests and awards more credit than any other institution in Kentucky? The answer is quite simple: The testing center actively searches for any opportunity to promote CLEP on campus, in the community and throughout the state. We offer presentations to campus advisors, parents of incoming freshmen, high school guidance counselors and anyone else who will listen! WKU’s generous CLEP policy, accepting credit for 32 exams, having a flexible testing schedule with online registration and on-site testing for regional campuses, and having a genuine interest in helping students succeed in college make our CLEP program a wonderful success story."
Tammy Duddy
Coordinator of Testing Services
University of Louisville
Testimonial Source:InstitutionI love the opportunity CLEP provides to the students at the University of Louisville. They can finish their education in a more timely fashion, but also much more economically when they use CLEP to earn credit towards their degrees. My goal, every year, is to increase the awareness of CLEP to our students!"
Sparkle Raymond
Test Center Administrator
Northern Virginia Community College
Testimonial Source:Institution"As a test center administrator, it has been a complete joy to witness students who otherwise would not have the funds necessary to work toward a degree program. Because of CLEP's many locations and cost factor, it has made it convenient for students worldwide to work towards completing a degree in record time."
Peggy Hawk
Test Center Administrator
Pikes Peak Community College
Testimonial Source:Institution"As an administrator of CLEP exams, nothing is more satisfying than to have a student pass the test and tell me it was the last credit they needed to graduate from college. In many cases, both the student and I have shed tears of joy. It is great to know that what you do has such a profound impact on these individuals."
Sue Schmitz
Testing
Hennepin Technical College
Testimonial Source:InstitutionOffering CLEP shows a true commitment to student success.
Lisa Haydon
Academic Advisor and Director of PLA
Dominican University of California
Testimonial Source:Institution"At Dominican University of California we have found CLEP to be an invaluable tool that helps save students money, honors their prior life learning, and inspires them to meet their academic goals."
Resource Center
Access forms and documents used by test-center administrators, faculty, registrars and others responsible for CLEP.
News & Events
CLEP's Migration to iBT
CLEP Announces its Migration to Internet-Based Testing Platform
CLEP Notes
Subscribe to CLEP's quarterly e-mail newsletter for program news and tips.
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