Credit for Prior Learning

Blue Mountain Community College acknowledges that students learn in many different ways and through a variety of experiences, both in and outside of the classroom. 

The following options for students to receive college credit for prior learning include: 

BMCC Credit by Exam, College Board CLEP Exams, Industry Credentials to Credits, Military Credit, Apprenticeship, Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Portfolio, and Advanced Placement (AP) Credit. 

BMCC Policy for Credit for Prior Learning 

  • Student must be enrolled at BMCC.
  • Student must complete a minimum of one course (credit or non-credit) during the academic year in which the request is made for CPL and approved.  
  • Students must provide supporting documents with request.  
  • CPL requests are valid for 30 days from submission.  
  • Students should understand transferability of credit to outside institutions. 
  • Credit for prior learning is limited to earning 25% of a degree or certificate in CPL credits. 
  • Credit for prior learning credit is notated on college transcript with specific CPL notations. 

Credit for prior learning may have fees associated to receiving credit, per type of CPL credit earned. 

CPL: BMCC Credit by Exam

  • Credit by challenge exam will be awarded based on the scores received from a comprehensive exam developed by the academic department.   
  • Credit by challenge exam is offered for limited departments and limited courses.

Business Challenge Exams

  • BA104 Business Math (4 Credits)
  • BA131 Introduction to Business Computing (4 Credits)
  • BT140 Business Document Editing (3 Credits)

Agriculture Challenge Exams

  • AGR240 Tractors (2 Credits)
  • AGR111 Agriculture Computers (3 Credits)

Science Challenge Exams

  • BI112 Cell Biology (4 Credits)

Credit by challenge exam offers a lower cost option for earning course credit and a faster option than enrolling and completing a course.

Questions?  Please contact Enrollment Services at (541) 278-5759 or by email to StudentRecords@bluecc.edu

CLEP: College Level Examination Program

Credits will be awarded based on the official CLEP scores received from the College-Level Examination Program of the College Board. CLEP test scores must be dated within three (3) years of the exam completion date. The BMCC course number, title, and the number of credits awarded will be based on BMCC’s approved CLEP credit chart.

  • Schedule your CLEP exam at BMCC Pendleton HERE!

  • To apply for credit: Have exam scores sent from the College Board to BMCC, Attn: Student Records.   

Questions?  Please contact Enrollment Services at (541) 278-5759 or by email to StudentRecords@bluecc.edu

Industry Credentials to Credits

CPL: Computer Science - Credits may be earned for one or more the following BMCC courses:

  • CS145: Introduction to PC Hardware and Software (5 Credits) (Must provide copy of successful CompTIA A+ Certificate)
  • CS179A/B: Introduction to Networking 1 and 2 (5 Credits) (Must provide copy of successful CompTIA Network+ Certificate)
  • CS140L/240L: Introduction to Linux 1 and 2 (6 Credits) (Must provide copy of successful CompTIA Linux+ Certificate)
  • CS279: Network Management (5 Credits) (Must provide copy of successful CompTIA Server+ Certificate) 

To apply: Certificates must be earned within the last three years

CPL: Early Childhood Education (ECE) - Credits may be earned for one or more the following BMCC courses:

  • ECE109 Foundations and Careers in Early Childhood (3 credits)
  • ECE152 Creativity for Young Children (3 credits)
  • ECE226 Child Development (3 credits)
  • ECE280 Cooperative Work Experience (3 credits) 

To apply:

  • Complete BMCC's Application for CPL: ECE.
  • Attach one or more of the following to your application
    • Child Development Associate Credential from the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition (copy)
    •  Step 7 (or higher) certificate from the Oregon Registry: Pathways to Professional Recognition in Childhood Care and Education(copy)

CPL: EMT (Emergency Medical Technician): Credits may be earned for one or more the following BMCC courses:

  • EMT151 Emergency Medical Technician Part A (6 credits)
  • EMT152 Emergency Medical Technician Part B (6 credits)

To apply: 

CPL: Fire Science: Credits may be earned for one or more the following BMCC courses:

  • FS110A Fire Fighter Skills Academy Part A (3 credits)
    • Documentation - Fire Fighter I – DPSST, NFPA, IFSAC
  • FS110B Fire Fighter Skills Academy Part B (3 credits)
    • Documentation - Fire Fighter I – DPSST, NFPA, IFSAC
  • FS112 Firefighter II Skills Academy (4 credits)
    • Documentation - Fire Fighter II – DPSST, NFPA, IFSAC
  • FS123 Hazardous Materials - Awareness/Operation (2 credits)
    • Documentation - Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations
  • FS130 Wildland Firefighter (2 credits)
    • Documentation - NWCG Wildland Firefighter 1, S-130/190
  • FS169 Apparatus Operator/Driver (4 credits)
    • Documentation - DPSST, NFPA, IFSAC Apparatus Operator
  • FS240 Emergency Services Instructor I (3 credits)
    • Documentation - Instructor I/DPSST, NFPA, IFSAC
  • FS280 (Cooperative Work Study (6 credits)
    • Documentation - 1 year full-time employment with Fire Department

Supporting Documentation: In order to be considered for credit you must submit certificates from recognized organizations such as DPSST, IFSAC, NFPA, NFA or regional training organizations such as NAFT, WWCTA, OFIA, or MWFIA.

To apply:

  • Complete BMCC's Application for CPL: Fire Science
  • Attach a copy of your valid State of Oregon EMT license with this request.
  • Additional supporting documentation as indicated below.(Expired documents will not be accepted)

Questions?  Please contact Enrollment Services at (541) 278-5759 or by email to StudentRecords@bluecc.edu

Military Credit:    

MIL: Military - Credits will be awarded based on American Council of Education guidelines for evaluation of military training. The BMCC course number, title, and number of credits awarded will be determined by Student Records and the appropriate instructional departments.

  • To apply for credit: Have official military (JST or SMART) transcript sent or made available to BMCC's Student Records. 

Questions?  Please contact Enrollment Services at (541) 278-5759 or by email to StudentRecords@bluecc.edu

Credit for Prior Certification

CPL: Apprenticeship

  • Credits will be awarded for a valid (not expired) Oregon Journeyman card.  
  • The BMCC course number, title, and the number of credits awarded will be based on BMCC’s approved APR course.

 Questions?  Please contact Enrollment Services at (541) 278-5759 or by email to StudentRecords@bluecc.edu

CPL: Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Portfolio

  • A Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Portfolio allows you to gain credit for knowledge you have gained in a variety of ways other than formal education. It is a process by which you demonstrate that what you have learned is equivalent to the learning taught in a postsecondary class. 
  • Based on the information contained in the portfolio, college credit may be granted. 
  • BMCC’s Business Administration Department offers a PLA option to earn credit for specific courses toward degree completion.  
  • The process is a comprehensive combination of meetings, interviews, faculty consultation and creation of a portfolio of work or skill exam for departmental review to earn credit. 

Questions?  Please contact Enrollment Services at (541) 278-5759 or by email to StudentRecords@bluecc.edu

AP: Advanced Placement

Credits will be awarded based on the scores received from Advanced Placement program of the College Board. AP test scores must be dated within three (3) years of the date the exam was completed. Scores must be sent directly to BMCC from the College Board.  See BMCC's AP Credit chart for credits offered by exam type and minimum score.

  • To apply for credit: Have exam scores sent from the College Board to BMCC.