If you’ve spent years building skills on the job, you may already have the knowledge equivalent of several college courses. Prior learning assessment (PLA) is the process that makes it possible to turn that real-world experience into actual college credit — helping you finish your degree faster and for less money.
This guide explains exactly what prior learning assessment is, how it works, who qualifies, and how to get started.
What Is Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)?
Prior learning assessment (PLA) is an evaluation process used by colleges and universities to award academic credit for knowledge and skills gained outside the traditional classroom. That includes professional experience, military training, certifications, licenses, and other forms of non-traditional education.
PLA is not a shortcut or a workaround. It is a formally recognized academic process supported by the American Council on Education (ACE) and used by hundreds of accredited institutions across the United States. If you can demonstrate college-level knowledge in a subject, you may be able to receive credit for it without sitting through a course you don’t need.
How Does Prior Learning Assessment Work?
The PLA process varies slightly depending on the institution, but it generally follows these steps:
- Enrollment: You enroll in a degree program at an accredited college or university that offers PLA.
- Credit evaluation: An academic advisor reviews your background — work history, certifications, military service, training records — to identify areas where PLA credit may apply.
- Assessment: Depending on the method used, you may take an exam, submit a portfolio, or have your credentials reviewed directly.
- Credit award: If your knowledge meets the college-level standard for a given subject, you receive credit hours toward your degree.
- Degree completion: Those credits count toward your graduation requirements, reducing the number of courses you still need to take.
The result is a shorter, more affordable path to your degree.
Types of Prior Learning Assessment
There are several methods colleges use to evaluate prior learning. Not every institution offers all of them, so it’s worth confirming which options are available in your program.
Credit by Examination
This is one of the most common PLA methods. You take a standardized exam to demonstrate your knowledge in a specific subject area. If you score high enough, you earn credit without taking the course.
The most widely used exams include:
- CLEP (College Level Examination Program): Offered by the College Board, CLEP exams cover dozens of subjects ranging from English composition to introductory psychology to business law.
- DSST Exams: Originally developed for military personnel, DSST exams are now available to any adult learner and cover subjects in business, social sciences, math, and more.
- Institutional exams: Some colleges offer their own challenge exams for specific courses in their curriculum.
Portfolio Assessment
In a portfolio assessment, you document your learning through a written submission that demonstrates college-level knowledge in a subject area. This typically includes a narrative explaining what you know, how you learned it, and how it maps to specific course outcomes — supported by evidence such as work samples, job descriptions, performance reviews, or training records.
Portfolio assessment works well for complex professional experience that doesn’t fit neatly into a standardized exam.
ACE Credit Recommendations
The American Council on Education (ACE) evaluates training programs — particularly military training and corporate training programs — and publishes credit recommendations. Many accredited colleges accept these recommendations directly, meaning your military MOS, police academy training, or employer-sponsored certification may already have a published credit value that a college will accept.
Articulation Agreements
Some institutions have formal agreements with specific employers, unions, or training organizations that pre-approve certain credentials for college credit. If your employer or professional association has an articulation agreement with a college, the credit transfer process is often straightforward and automatic.
Who Qualifies for Prior Learning Assessment?
PLA is designed for adult learners who have accumulated significant real-world knowledge and experience. You may be a strong candidate if you:
- Have worked in a skilled profession for several years
- Completed military service with specialized training
- Hold professional licenses or certifications (nursing, real estate, law enforcement, IT, etc.)
- Have completed employer-sponsored training programs
- Started college previously but never finished
- Have relevant volunteer or community leadership experience
There is no age requirement. PLA is available to anyone enrolled in a degree program at a participating institution.
How Much Credit Can You Earn Through PLA?
The amount of credit varies by institution and by individual background. Some students earn a handful of credits through a single CLEP exam. Others with extensive professional backgrounds earn enough credits to cut a four-year degree down to one or two years of additional coursework.
According to research from the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), adult students who use PLA graduate at significantly higher rates and in less time than those who don’t. The same research found that PLA students save an average of 2.5 semesters compared to non-PLA students.
Most accredited programs cap the number of PLA credits that can count toward a degree — typically between 30 and 45 credit hours. Your academic advisor can tell you the specific limit for your program.
Is Prior Learning Assessment Accepted by Employers?
Yes. Because PLA credit is awarded by regionally accredited institutions and appears on your official college transcript like any other credit, employers cannot distinguish PLA credit from credit earned in a traditional classroom. Your diploma does not indicate how credits were earned.
The key is ensuring your degree comes from a regionally accredited institution. Credits earned at accredited schools are universally recognized by employers, graduate schools, and licensing boards.
How Much Does Prior Learning Assessment Cost?
PLA is almost always significantly less expensive than taking the equivalent courses. Exam fees for CLEP tests, for example, are a fraction of the cost of a standard college course. Portfolio assessments typically involve a one-time evaluation fee rather than per-credit tuition charges.
The exact costs depend on the institution and the method used, but the savings compared to traditional coursework can be substantial — particularly for students with extensive professional backgrounds who qualify for a large number of PLA credits.
Prior Learning Assessment and Law Enforcement
Law enforcement officers are among the strongest candidates for prior learning assessment credit. Police academy training, field experience, specialized certifications, and department-sponsored continuing education all represent college-level learning that many institutions are prepared to evaluate.
Subjects commonly covered through law enforcement PLA credit include:
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Ethics in Law Enforcement
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Community Policing
- Emergency Management
- Leadership and Supervision
For officers working toward a bachelor’s degree for promotion or career advancement, PLA can dramatically shorten the time to graduation. Many officers discover they are already 30 or more credit hours closer to their degree than they realized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is prior learning assessment (PLA) legitimate?
Yes. PLA is a formally recognized academic process used by hundreds of accredited colleges and universities in the United States. It is supported by the American Council on Education and backed by decades of research demonstrating positive outcomes for adult learners.
Does every college offer PLA?
No. Not every institution offers prior learning assessment, and those that do vary in which methods they accept and how many credits they will award. When evaluating degree programs, ask specifically whether PLA is available and what the credit limits are.
Can PLA credits transfer to another college?
PLA credits awarded by a regionally accredited institution generally transfer in the same way as traditional credits, though transfer policies vary by school. If you plan to transfer, confirm the receiving institution’s transfer credit policy before enrolling.
How long does the PLA process take?
The timeline depends on the method. A CLEP exam can be scheduled and completed within days. A portfolio assessment typically takes several weeks to prepare and submit, with evaluation taking additional time after submission. Your academic advisor can give you a realistic timeline for your specific situation.
Will PLA credit show up differently on my transcript?
This depends on the institution. Some schools list PLA credits with a notation indicating they were earned through examination or portfolio. Others record them identically to standard course credits. Either way, the credits count toward your degree and appear on your official transcript.
How SmarterDegree Uses PLA to Help You Finish Faster
At SmarterDegree, prior learning assessment is a core part of how we help adult learners — particularly law enforcement officers and first responders — complete their degrees efficiently. When you start with us, we conduct a thorough review of your professional background to identify every credit opportunity available to you before you enroll in a single course.
Our advisors understand the training, certifications, and experience common in law enforcement careers and know how to map that background to academic credit as effectively as possible.
➤ Find out how many credits you already have at SmarterDegree.com