Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge International (CI)

Pierce College grants credit for Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level (HL) and Cambridge International (CI) exams in accordance with standards set by the Washington State Instruction Commission (IC) for Community and Technical Colleges. Credit will be awarded according to the charts below. Students must submit official transcripts for credit evaluation.

Note: Students interested in transferring to a four-year university should check the requirements of their target school to determine the best way to use their AP, IB and CI exam credits.

Credit Evaluation

  • Be admitted to Pierce College
  • Submit an official transcript to the Pierce College Evaluations Office
  • Submit a Credit Evaluation Request to the Pierce College Evaluations Office

Pierce College Evaluations Office
9401 Farwest Drive SW
Lakewood, WA 98498-1999
evaluations@pierce.ctc.edu
253-964-6678

Evaluation Results

  • All eligible credits will be posted to the student's Pierce College transcript
  • Students will be notified of the results of the evaluation through their preferred email in ctcLink

Advanced Placement Test Equivalencies

AP Test Score Courses and Credits listed are the minimum awarded per score
African American Studies 3–5 Humanties or Social Sciences Distribution (5)
Art: Art History 3–5 ART& 100 (5)
Art: Studio Art — Drawing 3–5 Humanities Distribution (5)
Art: 2D Design 3–5 Humanities Distribution (5)
Art: 3D Design 3–5 Humanities Distribution (5)
Biology 3–5 BIOL& 100, BIOL& 160 (5) 1
Calculus AB 3–5 MATH& 151 (5)
Calculus BC 3–5 MATH& 152 (5)
Chemistry 3–4 CHEM& 121 OR CHEM& 161 (5) 2
  5 CHEM& 121 OR CHEM& 161 and CHEM& 162 (10) 3
Chinese Language & Culture 3 CHIN& 121 (5)
  4 CHIN& 121, CHIN& 122 (5)
  5 CHIN& 121, CHIN& 122, CHIN&123 (10) 4
Computer Science A 3 Elective (5)
  4–5 CS& 141 (5)
Computer Science AB 3–5 Elective (5)
Computer Science Principles 3–5 Computer Science elective (5)
Economics: Micro 3–5 ECON& 201 (5)
Economics: Macro 3–5 ECON& 202 (5)
English: Lang & Comp 3 Elective (5)
  4–5 ENGL& 101 (5)
English: Lit & Comp 3–5 Humanities Distribution (5)
Environmental Science 3 ENVS& 100 (5)
  4–5 ENVS& 100 OR ENVS& 101 (5)
European History 3–5 Social Science Distribution (5)
French Language & Culture 3 FRCH& 121 (5)
  4 FRCH& 121, FRCH& 122 (5) 4
  5 FRCH& 121, FRCH& 122, FRCH& 123 (10) 5
French Literature 3 FRCH& 121 (5)
  4 FRCH& 121, FRCH& 122 (5) 4
  5 FRCH& 121, FRCH& 122, FRCH& 123 (10) 5
German Language & Culture 3 GERM& 121, (5)
  4 GERM& 121, GERM& 122 (5) 4
  5 GERM& 121, GERM& 122, GERM& 123 (10) 5
US Government & Politics 3–5 POLS& 202 (5)
Comparative Government & Politics 3–4 POLS& 101 (5)
  5 POLS& 101, POLS& 201 (5) 
Human Geography 3–5 GEOG& 200 (5)
Italian Language & Culture 3 Humanities Elective (5)
  4 Humanities Elective (5)
  5 Humanities Elective (10)
Japanese Language 3 JAPN& 121 (5)
  4 JAPN& 121, JAPN& 122 (5) 4
  5 JAPN& 121, JAPN& 122,  JAPN& 123 (10) 5
Latin Literature 3–5 Humanities Distribution (5)
Latin: Virgil 3–4 Humanities Distribution (5)
  5 Humanities Distribution (10)
Latin Literature & Culture 3–5 Humanities Distribution (5)
Music Theory 3–5 MUSC& 141 (5)
Music Listening/ Literature 3–5 MUSC&105 (5)
Pre-Calculus 3 MATH&141 (5)
  4–5 MATH&141, MATH&142 (10)
Physics 1 3–5 PHYS& 114 (5)
Physics 2 3–5 PHYS& 115 (5)
Physics B 3–5 Science Distribution (5)
Physics C (Mechanics) 3 PHYS& 114 (5)
  4–5 PHYS& 221 (5)
Physics C (Elect. & Mag.) 3 Science Distribution (5)
  4–5 PHYS& 222 OR PHYS& 223 (5) 6
Psychology 3–5 PSYC& 100 (5)
Research 3–5 Elective (5)
Seminar 3–5 Elective (5)
Spanish Language & Culture 3 SPAN& 121 (5)
  4 SPAN& 121, SPAN& 122 (5) 4
  5 SPAN& 121, SPAN& 122, SPAN& 123 (10) 5
Spanish Literature & Culture 3 SPAN& 121 (5)
  4 SPAN& 121, SPAN& 122 (5) 4
  5 SPAN& 121, SPAN& 122, SPAN& 123 (10) 5
Statistics 3–5 MATH& 146 (5)
U.S. History 3–4 HIST& 156, HIST& 157, HIST& 158 or HIST& 159 (5)
  5 HIST& 156, HIST& 157, HIST& 158 or HIST& 159 (10)
World History 3–5 HIST& 126, HIST& 127 or HIST& 128 (5)

[1] For applicants to the Veterinary Technology program, AP Biology may be accepted as part of the entrance requirements. Please submit a course exception form for permission to use AP Biology.

[2] Students interested in the health professions can request CHEM& 121. STEM students can request CHEM& 161. 

[3] See previous note.

[4] Work with an advisor to determine the best course option for your plan of study. 

[5] Work with an advisor to determine the best course option for your plan of study.

[6] Work with an advisor to determine the best course option for your plan of study. 

International Baccalaureate Test Equivalencies

IB SL or HL Examination  Score Minimum Credit
African History  4 Elective (5)
  5-7 Social Science Distribution Credit (5)
American History 4 Elective (5)
  5-7 HIST& 156, HIST& 157, HIST& 158, OR HIST& 159 (5) 
Language A 4 Elective (5)
Arabic A, Chinese A,
French A, Japanese A,
Russian A, Spanish A
5-7 Humanities distribution (5)
Language B 4 Humanities distribution: World Language (5)
Arabic A, Chinese A,
French A, Japanese A,
Russian A, Spanish A
5 Humanities distribution: World Language (5)
  6 Humanities distribution: World Language (5)
  7 Humanities distribution: World Language (10)
Art / Design 4 Elective (5)
  5-7 Humanities distribution (5)
Biology 4 Elective (5)
  5-7 BIOL& 100 OR BIOL& 160 (5) 
Business & Management 4-7 Elective (5)
Chemistry 4 Elective (5)
  5 CHEM& 121 OR CHEM& 161 (5)
  6 CHEM& 121 OR CHEM& 161 AND CHEM& 162 (10)
Computer Science  4-7 Elective (5)
Design Technology  4-7 Elective (5)
East/Southeast Asia and Oceania History    4 Elective (5)
   5-7 Social Science Distribution Credit (5)
Economics  4 Elective (5)
   5 ECON& 201 (5)
   6-7 ECON& 201 AND ECON& 202 (10)
English A Literature   4 Elective (5)
   5-7 ENGL& 111 (5) 
English A Language & Literature  4 Elective (5) 
   5-7 ENGL& 101
European History  4 Elective (5)
   5-7 Social Science Distribution Credit (5)
Geography  4 Elective (5)
   5-7 Social Science Distribution Credit (5)
Global Politics  4-7 Elective (5)
Information Technology in a Global Society  4-7 Elective (5)
Mathematics  4 Elective (5)
   5-6 MATH& 142 (5)
   7 MATH& 151 (5) 
Further Mathematics  4 Elective (5)
   5-7 MATH& 151 (5)
Music  4 Elective (5)
   5-7 MUSC& 105 (5)
Philosophy  4 Elective (5)
   5-7 PHIL& 101 (5)
Physics  4 Elective (5)
   5-7 PHYS& 114, PHYS& 115 AND PHYS&116 (15)
Psychology  4 Elective (5)
   5-7 PSYC& 100 (5) 
Social & Cultural Anthropology  4 Elective (5)
   5-7 ANTH& 206 (5)  
Sports, Exercise & Health Science  4-7 Elective (5)
Theatre  4 Elective (5)
   5-7 DRMA& 101 (5) 
Visual Arts  4 Elective (5)
   5-7 ART& 100 (5)

Cambridge International Test Equivalencies

Name Exam Minimum credit
Accounting A Level ACCT&201, ACCT&202, and ACCT&203 (15)
Accounting AS Level General electives (5)
Art & Design A Level Humanities distribution in art (10) and general
electives (5)
Art & Design AS Level Humanities distribution in art (7.5)
Biology A Level Natural science distribution in biology with lab (10) and general electives (5)
Biology AS Level Natural science distribution in biology with lab (7.5)
Business A Level BUS&101 (5) and business electives (10)
Business AS Level BUS&101 (5) and business electives (2.5)
Chemistry A Level CHEM&161, CHEM&162 and CHEM&163 (15)
Chemistry AS Level Natural science distribution in chemistry with lab
(7.5)
Chinese A Level World language (10) and humanities distribution (5)
Chinese - Language AS Level World language (7.5)
Classical Studies A Level Humanities distribution (10) and general electives
(5)
Classical Studies AS Level Humanities distribution (7.5)
Computer Science A Level Computer science for non-majors (5) and general electives (10)
Computer Science AS Level Computer science for non-majors (5) and general electives (2.5)
Digital Media & Design A Level Humanities distribution (10) and general electives (5)
Digital Media & Design AS Level Humanities distribution (7.5)
Drama A Level DRMA& 101 (5), humanities distribution (5), and
general electives (5)
Drama AS Level DRMA& 101 (5) and humanities distribution (2.5)
Economics A Level ECON&201 (5), ECON&202 (5), and general
electives (5)
Economics AS Level Social science distribution in economics (7.5)
English - Language A Level General electives (15)
English - Language AS Level General electives (7.5)
English - Language and Literature AS Level General electives (7.5)
English - Literature A Level Humanities distribution (10) and general electives
(5)
English - Literature AS Level General electives (7.5)
English General Paper AS Level General electives (7.5)
Environmental Management AS Level Natural science distribution with lab (7.5)
French A Level FRCH&121, FRCH&122, and FRCH&123 (15)
French - Language AS Level FRCH&123 (5) and humanities distribution (5)
Geography A Level Social science distribution (10) and general
electives (5)
Geography AS Level Social science distribution (7.5)
German A Level GERM&121, GERM&122, and GERM&123 (15)
German - Language AS Level GERM&123 (5) and humanities distribution (5)
Global Perspectives and Research A Level General electives (15)
Global Perspectives and Research AS Level General electives (7.5)
History A Level Social science distribution in history
(10) and general electives (5)
History AS Level  Social science distribution in history
(7.5)
Japanese - Language AS Level World language (5) and humanities distribution (2.5)
Marine Science A Level Natural science distribution with lab (10) and general electives (5)
Marine Science AS Level Natural science distribution with lab (7.5)
Mathematics A Level MATH&151 (5), MATH&152 (5), and mathematics
electives (5)
Mathematics AS Level Mathematics electives (7.5)
Mathematics - Further A Level MATH&146 (5), MATH&153 (5), and mathematics
electives (5)
Mathematics - Further AS Level Mathematics electives (7.5)
Media Studies A Level Humanities distribution in communication (10) and general electives (5)
Media Studies AS Level Humanities distribution in communication (7.5)
Music A Level Humanities distribution in music (10) and general electives (5)
Music AS Level Humanities distribution in music (7.5)
Physical Education A Level General electives (15)
Physical Education AS Level General electives (7.5)
Physics A Level PHYS&114, PHYS&115, and PHYS&116 (15)
Physics AS Level Natural science distribution in physics with lab
(7.5)
Psychology A Level PSYC&100 (5), social science distribution in psychology (5), and general electives (5)
Psychology AS Level Social science distribution in psychology (7.5)
Sociology A Level SOC&101 (5), social science distribution in sociology (5), and general electives (5)
Sociology AS Level Social science distribution in sociology (7.5)
Spanish A Level SPAN&121, 122, and 123 (15)
Spanish - Language AS Level General electives (7.5)
Spanish - Literature AS Level Humanities distribution (7.5)
Thinking Skills A Level Humanities distribution in philosophy (10) and general electives (5)
Thinking Skills AS Level Humanities distribution in philosophy (7.5)

For Cambridge exams that are not listed here (Afrikaans, Arabic, Divinity, Hindi, Hinduism, Information Technology, Islamic Studies, Law, Portuguese, Tamil, Travel & Tourism, or Urdu), please contact the Evaluations Office.