Academic Catalog

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Overview

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) gives college students the opportunity to receive college credit by earning qualifying scores on standardized examinations. 

A student must be currently enrolled at Cerritos College at the time they request credit for CLEP exams. Credit will not be granted for courses in which equivalent or more advanced coursework has been completed. All official transcripts from CLEP must be submitted directly to the Admissions and Records Office to receive credit. The number of units earned through CLEP will be noted on the student’s transcript.

Departmental approval is required to determine whether test scores will satisfy requirements for the major. Credit granted towards the associate degree at Cerritos College does not necessarily transfer to other institutions. Transferability of credit is determined by the receiving college or university.

Currently, the University of California does not accept CLEP Examinations. Please see a counselor for applicability to transfer requirements.

Credit for the American Government CLEP exam does not meet the CSU American Institutions requirement. In addition, the English composition requirement currently cannot be met by a CLEP exam.

CLEP Exam Passing Score CGEC Areas Units Granted
American Government 50 4: Social & Behavioral Sciences 3
American Literature 50 3: Arts & Humanities 3
Analyzing & Interpreting Literature 50 3: Arts & Humanities 3
Biology 50 5: Natural Sciences 3
Calculus 50 2: Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning 3
Chemistry 50 5: Natural Sciences 3
College Algebra 50 2: Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning 3
College Algebra - Trigonometry 50 2: Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning 3
French Level II 59 3: Arts & Humanities 3
German Level II 60 3: Arts & Humanities 3
History, United States I 50 4: Social & Behavioral Sciences 3
History, United States II 50 4: Social & Behavioral Sciences 3
Human Growth & Development 50 4: Social & Behavioral Sciences 3
Humanities 50 3: Arts & Humanities 3
Introductory Psychology 50 4: Social & Behavioral Sciences 3
Introductory Sociology 50 4: Social & Behavioral Sciences 3
Natural Sciences 50 5: Natural Sciences 3
Pre-Calculus 50 2: Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning 3
Principles of Macroeconomics 50 4: Social & Behavioral Sciences 3
Principles of Microeconomics 50 4: Social & Behavioral Sciences 3
Spanish Level II 63 3: Arts & Humanities 3
Spanish with Writing Level II 63 3: Arts & Humanities 3
Western Civilization I 50 4: Social & Behavioral Sciences OR 3: Arts & Humanities 3
Western Civilization II 50 4: Social & Behavioral Sciences OR 3: Arts & Humanities 3

For full detail, please review the CSU External Exam table at https://www.calstate.edu/apply/transfer/Pages/External-Exam-Credit.aspx#InplviewHash6d53e609-96a0-4440-9e6f-dc217d795740=FilterField1%3DAcademicYear-FilterValue1%3D2025%252D2026