State and Systemwide AP Credit and Placement Policies

For more than 50 years, the College Board’s Advanced Placement Program® (AP) has collaborated with high schools, colleges, and universities to prepare students for success in higher education. AP provides motivated and academically prepared students with a challenging curriculum developed, approved, and evaluated by college and university faculty. Research consistently shows that AP students who score a 3 or higher on AP Exams experience greater academic success in college and improved graduation rates compared to students who do not participate in AP Examinations.

A clear and consistent AP credit and placement policy can:

• Ensure that prospective students and families know which institutions recognize AP achievement and award course equivalent college credit and advanced placement based on qualifying scores;
• Allow for the optimal application of qualifying AP scores for credit toward meeting general education requirements;
• Improve seamless course articulation and transfer, credit portability, and degree completion rates;
• Reduce the duplication and accumulation of excess credit hours, minimizing economic burdens for students and families, and improve enrollment efficiency for higher education systems.

Further Details

The following states have state or systemwide AP credit and placement policies: