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Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

PLA Credit lets students earn college credit for knowledge gained beyond the classroom—whether through work experience, military service, or self-study. It’s a smart way to accelerate your degree and save time and money. 

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

RRCC offers Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) opportunities in compliance with the policies established by the Colorado Community College System (CCCS).

Please watch the Prior Learning at Red Rocks Community College video here

PLA Credit allows students to earn college credit for learning they've gained outside of traditional classroom settings. This includes knowledge and skills acquired from:

Work and Life Experiences: Skills and knowledge gained through your job, hobbies, or personal life.

Community and Volunteer Work: Learning through helping others or participating in community activities.

Extension Courses: Courses offered by community organizations, online platforms, or other educational groups.

In-Service Training: Learning from workshops, seminars, or training sessions provided by businesses, associations, or government programs.

However, it's important to note that PLA Credit is awarded for college-level learning, not just the experience itself. This means that the college will evaluate what you have learned—like knowledge, skills, and competencies—through these activities to determine if it’s equivalent to college-level learning.

So, if you’ve gained knowledge and skills through work, volunteering, or other experiences, you could turn that into college credit!

Step 1 - Fill out and submit the Prior Learning Self-Assessment Form

Step 2 – Email your portfolio documents to PLA@RRCC.edu

  • When you have completed and submitted the form and portfolio, a PLA staff member will contact you with the Prior Learning Processing Fee. 

Step 3 - Once you have received the Prior Learning Processing Fee, fill out and submit the Payment Form

  • When you have paid the Prior learning Processing Fee, a staff member will contact you with your next steps

Please see more information below about how to earn the different types of PLA options. 

  • Portfolio - $65/credit hour
  • CLEP/DSST exam - exam price may vary + $25 proctoring fee (if taken at RRCC)
  • Challenge exam - $45/credit hour

  • Complete the Prior Learning Self-Assessment Form:
  • Submit Your Portfolio: Gather all necessary materials for your portfolio by referring to the  RRCC policy guidelines. These materials will demonstrate your prior learning and experiences. Once your portfolio is complete, email it to PLA@rrcc.edu. 
  • Pay for PLA Credit Evaluation: Once your PLA materials are submitted, you will need to pay for the evaluation process. You can make the payment online.
  • Faculty Review: The faculty member will review your portfolio and send the final evaluation to the Assessment Center.
  • Final Approval and Documentation: If your portfolio is approved, the Assessment Center will prepare the final documents. 
  • Credits Posted: Finally, the approved credits will be sent to student records to be posted to your RRCC transcripts!

  • Review Available CLEP Exams: Check the list of CLEP exams that are eligible for community college credit. You can find more details on test preparation and available exams by reviewing materials online. We also recommend meeting with a Pathway Advisor to ensure the CLEP credit will count towards your degree or certificate requirements. 
  • Create a College Board Account: Go to the College Board website to create an account.
  • Register and Pay for the CLEP Exam: After creating your account, pay the fee online. You will receive a payment receipt and a Ticket ID once the payment is processed.  Please make sure that you send a copy of your transcript to Red Rocks for evaluation.
  • Schedule Your Exam Appointment: Schedule a testing appointment with the Assessment Center for a date and time to take the CLEP exam. 
  • Prepare for Test Day: On the day of your exam, be ready to present the following:
    • Registration Ticket: Bring your valid registration ticket from the College Board portal.
    • Valid ID: Bring a government-issued ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.) that includes your photo and signature. The name on your ID must match the name on your registration ticket.
    • Special ID Requirements:
    • Military Test-Takers: Bring your military ID.
    • Home-Schoolers: If you don’t have a government-issued ID, complete a Student ID Form, which must be signed by a school official or notary and presented during testing.
  • Pay the RRCC Proctoring Fee: There is a $25 proctoring fee for taking the CLEP exam at RRCC. You can pay this fee via check, cash, or credit card.
  • Take the CLEP Exam: Complete the CLEP exam on your scheduled test day.
  • Earn College Credit: After successfully completing the CLEP exam, you will earn college credit at RRCC.
  • Credits Posted to Transcript: Once your exam is completed and evaluated, the credits earned will be posted to your RRCC transcript.

Contact information for transcripts/scores

  • College Board CLEP Services (official transcripts needed)
    Transcripts Request Service
    P.O. Box 6600
    Princeton, NJ 08541-6600
    (800) 257-9558

For over 30 years, DANTES has offered and supported voluntary educational programs on behalf of the U.S. Department of Defense. In 2006, DANTES authorized up-front funding of DSST exam fees for eligible military members at authorized National Test Centers that administer the Internet-based DSST exams. RRCC grants full course credit for many examinations with an acceptable score. For a complete list of DSST exam equivalencies inquire at the Assessment Center. More information can be found at Get College Credit

  • Schedule the Challenge Exam: Once you know which challenge exam you need to take, email PLA@rrcc.edu to make an appointment.
  • Pay for PLA Credit Evaluation: You can pay for your PLA credit evaluation/challenge exam online with a credit/debt card. 
  • Complete the Challenge Exam: As required by the department faculty, take the Challenge Exam to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in the subject.
  • Faculty Submits Evaluation: After you complete the Challenge Exam, the faculty member will submit the final evaluation of your exam to the Assessment Center.
  • Final Documents for Credit Award: If you successfully complete the Challenge Exam, the Assessment Center will prepare the final documents for credit to be awarded.
  • Credits Posted to Transcript: Once everything is finalized, the earned credits will be posted to your RRCC transcript.

If you want extra study material for the exam, please consider looking at www.ModernStates.org.  They have self-paced classes offered for free for most CLEP exams.  They also help with the test fees for CLEP exams if you finish their class.

  • Review Available AP/IB Exams: Start by reviewing the list of AP (Advanced Placement) and IB (International Baccalaureate) exams that are eligible for college credit at Red Rocks Community College. You can find this list under the CCCS (Colorado Community College System) column. 
  • Submit Official Test Scores: Ensure that you submit your official AP or IB test score report to Student Records. These scores must come directly from the College Board (for AP) or the IB Organization. 
  • Declare a Major: Make sure you declare a major at RRCC, as credit is typically awarded based on your declared program of study.
  • Meet Score Requirements: If your AP or IB scores meet the required thresholds set by CCCS, the credits will be posted to your Red Rocks Community College transcript.

  • ACE Credit Acceptance: RRCC accepts some credits from an ACE (American Council on Education) Transcript. If you have taken courses through ACE-affiliated programs like StraighterLine, Saylor, or other entities, you can potentially receive credit.
  • Check Eligibility: To determine if a specific course is eligible for transfer credit, email Student.Records@rrcc.edu. Faculty members review courses, and additional courses may be accepted over time.
  • Order ACE Transcript: If you took courses through StraighterLine, Saylor, or another entity, you would need to order an official ACE transcript to have your credits evaluated for transfer. 
Things to keep in mind:

To be eligible to apply for PLA, you must first apply to RRCC and receive an RRCC student ID number. 

It is the student's responsibility to determine the transferability of PLA credits outside the Colorado Community College System.

Your RRCC transcript will show class credit only; no grades are assigned to PLA credit.  It will appear on your RRCC transcript as transfer credit. 

You may receive PLA credit in any amount not to exceed 75% of the total credits required for your degree or certificate

Pathway Advisors are available to answer your questions about the PLA process and for referrals to the correct faculty to consult for your PLA credit.  Please contact PLA@rrcc.edu with any questions.