Any educational institution that you consider should list its policy on granting credits or exemptions in its official handbook. If you plan to receive college credits in advance, check the school of interest to make sure that it will accept a CLEP score. Each CLEP exam costs $77, so it is important to make sure it will be validated by your school of choice. Some schools choose to offer exemptions from required introductory courses instead of actual credits.
Each CLEP exam is scored differently according to the subject. Schools decide on different criteria for offering credits. These subject-specific qualifying scores should be listed in the university or college's materials, but school administrators can also answer questions on the requirements. Be aware of the minimum score requirements for each exam before applying to your school of choice in the hopes of exchanging scores for credits and exemptions. Varying amounts of credits are offered depending on the exam in question.
CLEP exams are administered in much the same way as college aptitude standardized tests. Registration forms are available online. Study courses and preparation materials are offered online, and test centers are located conveniently throughout the country. Because of the wide acceptance of CLEP exam scores by colleges and universities, students study heavily for these tests to achieve the highest score possible. Once an exam is taken, the same subject may not be repeated for another six months.
Though it is very rare that an accredited educational institution will not accept CLEP exams for credit or exemptions, you should always be clear on school policy before attempting to redeem scores. Each exam is meant to take the place of one semester of college coursework, though some cover full-year course material typically encountered at the college level. Military personnel can have their exams fully funded through the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES). Veterans of military service are eligible for exam reimbursement.