Credit for Prior Learning
River Valley Community College is committed to awarding degrees that reflect a well-rounded education. Our programs are designed to support student growth and promote a deeper understanding of their chosen field, often building upon professional experiences gained before or during their studies. Matriculated students at RVCC may be able to use prior learning experiences towards credit at our institution. All Credits for Prior Learning must meet program requirements, including the RVCC residency credits requirement. Talk to your advisor today!
Credits for college courses taken at another accredited college, in which students earned a “C” or higher, may be transferred to meet program requirements. This may place students in advanced standing in their program.
Students who wish to pursue this option should work with their academic advisor to complete the Transcript Evaluation process. The first step in the process is to send an official copy of their college transcript to our Admissions Office ([email protected]). Please note that a transcript for another college within the Community College of New Hampshire is not required.
Courses are evaluated by content experts for transfer, and this process may require the student to submit a Course Syllabus. Some courses will not transfer if the competencies covered are not equivalent to RVCC’s curriculum.
More information about transferring credits can be found in our College catalog: RVCC College Catalog Transfer of Credit webpage link.
River Valley Community College has a Transfer Equivalency System (TES) that you can use to determine how your credits and professional experience will transfer to the school.
- TES assesses traditional college courses as well as professional licenses, certifications, workplace training, and College-level exams such as CLEP. AP and more.
- TES is intended as a planning tool for your next steps in the transfer process; it is not an official evaluation of your transfer credit. An official course evaluation will be completed with your academic advisor once you have been accepted into a degree program.
- If you have specific experience or credits that you’re not able to find in TES but believe it may still be eligible for transfer credit to RVCC, reach out to your academic advisor. Transfer Equivalency System (TES)
College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examination Credit
RVCC recognizes the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examination Program as a means of evaluating a student’s eligibility for advanced placement and credit transfer. Students who have participated in the AP Program and who have been admitted to the College should have official AP grade reports sent directly to the College Admissions Office. Once they have been sent, the student should work with their advisor to evaluate their AP credits. The minimum score to receive credit varies from three (3) to five (5). No credit is awarded on any AP exam score of less than three (3).
Advanced Placement (AP) Test Acceptance Policy (PDF)
More information can be found at
College Board, Advanced Placement Examinations,
CN6671, Princeton, NJ 08541-6671,
telephone number (609) 771-7300
More information about College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examination Credit can be found in our College catalog: RVCC College Board Advanced Placement Examination Credit
Students may test out of certain courses through the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) administered by the College Board. Before completing any CLEP examination, please confirm with your academic advisor how they might transfer. Upon successful completion of the CLEP the student shall request the score be sent directly to the College Admissions Office from the College Board and follow the Transcript Evaluation process with their academic advisor. A passing score for CLEP is 50 or above, depending upon the course. If successful, the appropriate credits earned are applied to the student’s program.
To maintain academic integrity and ensure meaningful engagement with the curriculum, students may earn a maximum of 12 (twelve) credits through CLEP.
More information on College-Level Examination (CLEP) can be found in our College catalog: RVCC College Catalog College-Level Examination webpage link.
Students may test out of certain courses through the Credit by Examination (CBE) process.
In order to be considered for a CBE, the student must meet the following criteria:
- The student must demonstrate that by study, training, or experience outside RVCC they have acquired skill or knowledge equivalent to that acquired by students enrolled in a College course. Such skill, knowledge, or experience shall be in the area of the course concerned; and determined to be relevant by the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs or other authorized personnel, based on evidence that the background prerequisites justify allowing the student to take the exam. Background prerequisites shall include the student’s academic or employment record or both; and/or faculty recommendations.
- The student must have a cGPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Request must be for a regular course listed in the catalog.
- The student has not previously attempted a CBE for this course, been enrolled in the course, previously received a grade for the course at any CCSNH school, been administratively withdrawn from the course, or withdrawn from the course after the drop/add period.
Student who wish to complete a Credit by Examination (CBE) should connect with their academic advisor to start the process.
Students must earn a C or higher in the exam. If successful, the appropriate credits earned are applied to the student’s program. Credit will not be given for grades below “C”. A student receiving a grade below a “C” is ineligible for another CBE in that course.
To maintain academic integrity and ensure meaningful engagement with the curriculum, students may earn a maximum of 12 (twelve) credits through Credit by Examination (CBE).
More information on Credit by Examination (CBE) can be found in our College catalog: RVCC College Catalog Credit by Examination webpage link
The college may grant credit for military training experiences that are evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE) and are comparable to the course content required in a student’s academic program. Your prior military learning experience will be evaluated for credit and may meet course and program requirements on a case-by-case basis.
Please submit an official Joint Services Transcript (JST) to our Admissions office ([email protected]) and connect with your academic advisor for evaluation.
VA regulation states that all facilities approved under the GI Bill® Program have to evaluate all prior credit. The NH State Approving Agency requires that all students using any form of GI Bill® Education Benefits, enrolled on or after April 1, 2015, must complete the Credit for Prior Learning/Training Student Acknowledge Form. Remember the regulation states “evaluate” and not “Must grant credit for prior credit.” Please see the RVCC School Certifying Officer within the Registrar’s Office ([email protected]) for the form and further information.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill. For more information on ACE and transfer, please visit: The ACE Military Guide webpage link
RVCC may award college credits for the completion of select non-credit programs as specified below:
Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
Students who have completed the RMA program with River Valley Community College and have passed their board exam may meet with their RVCC advisor and request the following nine credits
HLTH 101R Medical Terminology (3 credits)
HLTH 166R Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care (3 credits)
MEDA 121R Medical Office Practice (3 credits)
In order to request credit for prior learning, students must first matriculate into a RVCC Early Childhood Education (ECE) certificate or degree, and then can meet with the ECE Program Director to request either or both of the following:
Child Development Associate (CDA)
Students who have completed their CDA as awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition are eligible for 6 ECE credits. Students must first submit a copy of the CDA (current, non-expired), a copy of their updated training transcript and résumé. Qualified students may request credit for these six credits:
ECE 102R Child Growth & Development (3 credits)
ECE 103R Health, Safety, and Nutrition for the Young Child (3 credits)
DOL Registered ECE Apprenticeship
Students who have participated in and completed an approved ECE apprenticeship through the Department of Labor (DOL) are eligible for 3 ECE credits. Students must submit a copy of their updated training transcript, résumé, and a copy of their apprentice certificate. Qualified students may request credit for these three credits:
ECE190R Practicum I (3 credits)
Empowered Futures Program
Students who have participated in and completed the YMCA’s Empowered Futures Program are eligible for 3 ECE credits.
Students must submit documentation of successful completion. Qualified students may request credit for these three credits:
ECE103R – Health, Safety, and Nutrition for the Young Child (3 credits)
CDA Plus DOL Registered Apprenticeship
Students who are eligible for both at the same time will only need to submit one copy of their training transcript and résumé in addition to the CDA and apprenticeship certificates mentioned above, for a total of 9 ECE credits. Qualified students may request credit for these three credits:
- ECE102R Child Growth & Development (3 credits)
- ECE103R Health, Safety and Nutrition for the Young Child (3 credits)
- ECE190R Practicum I (3 credits)
*Note: Substitution of courses is NOT permitted for any of the above.
A student must be a matriculated RVCC student and have exhausted all previous Credit for Prior Learning steps to be eligible to apply for portfolio review. No portfolio reviews will be completed for courses that have a Credit by Examination (CBE) option. Reach out to your academic advisor to discuss your options.