College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Taking CLEP exams can shorten the time it takes to earn your degree, can allow you to skip general introductory courses, and can even satisfy a proficiency requirement by demonstrating that you’ve already mastered the content. CLEP exams can reduce the number of courses you need to graduate, saving hundreds of dollars in tuition. The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is the most widely accepted credit-by-examination program. More than 2,900 accredited institutions of higher education award credit for satisfactory scores on CLEP exams. CLEP offers a way to receive credit for “what you know.”

There are about 33 CLEP exams available to you which cover the more traditional college subject areas. The majority of exams are 90 minutes long. With the exception of College Composition, the tests are composed of multiple choice and fill-in questions. All CLEP exams are administered on computer (CLEP-CBT). The examination is preceded by a tutorial that explains how to take the exam on computer. CLEP-CBT provides instant score results to test-takers (excluding College Composition), so you will know the day of the test how you performed. Look at our list of CLEP exams and see if you can get on the fast track to a degree

To register for a CLEP examination, the first step is to register with College Board. The steps to complete CLEP registration are located at the CLEP website.

Once you have registered and paid for the CLEP exam at the CLEP website, you will need to make a testing appointment at one of our assessment centers.

Select campus or center

Florida State College of Jacksonville will charge an additional administration fee of $30. Only credit/debit card payments are accepted in the assessment center. Active duty military can test, at no cost, at one of our military testing centers at NS Mayport or NAS Jacksonville. Persons with base access can also test at the military testing centers, however, established testing fees apply.

Eligible veterans may receive full reimbursement for the CLEP fees from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The CLEP exam is administered by appointment at the campus assessment and certification center on any of our four main campuses as well at the Deerwood Center, (904) 997-2629 and NAS Jacksonville, (904) 632-5020 or NS Mayport, (904) 249-7311. Each center has time available during the day and evening to accommodate a busy schedule. Each CLEP assessment generally takes about 90 minutes although a few are longer.

Once you have registered for your CLEP examination, paid the CLEP fee, printed out your “ticket” from the CLEP website, and scheduled a testing appointment at one of our assessment centers, you are ready for examination day.

On examination day, you must bring the following items to the assessment center:

A credit/debit card to pay the $30 CLEP administration fee.
A printed copy of your “ticket” from the CLEP website.
A primary form of ID from the approved listing below:

Primary Identification (must have a photo AND a signature):

Current passport with name, photograph and signature
Valid driver’s license with name, photograph and signature
Military identification (with photo AND signature)
State or Province ID issued by the motor vehicle agency with name, photograph and signature
National ID with name, photograph and signature
A tribal ID card
A naturalization card or certificate of citizenship
Contact CLEP Services for information on obtaining a College Board ID Form

CLEP exams taken on or after 10/17/14 may be repeated after a three-month waiting period. Exams taken prior to 10/17/14 require a six-month waiting period before re-testing.

Students indicate that the best way to prepare for CLEP exams is to study the CLEP or AP study guide for the subject area. Study as if you were preparing for a final comprehensive exam. Students who prefer Internet-based resources also report success using the InstantCert website or the study guide. The Kent Campus library has excellent comprehensive study guides for 29 of the CLEP exams. Cliff notes and AP study guides for corresponding subjects are an excellent resource for test preparation.

When you complete the computer CLEP, you will receive an unofficial score report (excluding College Composition). This is the only score report you will receive. An official score report is mailed to the college or university of your choice once your payment has cleared and CLEP verifies that you have not tested within the last six months. If you have taken the CLEP and need your scores mailed to Florida State College at Jacksonville, call CLEP at (800) 257-9558 or download a CLEP Transcript Request Form. Let them know which campus you prefer your scores to be mailed.

Note: You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view/print PDF files.