Ask A Nurse: I Want To Return To School. Do Nursing School Credits Expire?

Short answer: no, college credits do not expire. How transferable they are, though, fades over time. Here is how that plays out and how to make your old credits count.

A few general rules:

• Core classes. General education courses are evergreen and usually transfer easily between schools.
• STEM. Science, technology, engineering, and math courses have roughly a 10-year shelf life, since the field moves fast enough that the content is likely outdated after 10 years.
• Life experience. Your job and life experience can sometimes earn credit. More on that below.

These are just guidelines. Every program sets its own rules for accepting past credits, so look for an accredited program that will reduce the time and cost of finishing your bachelor's. Accredited online RN-to-BSN programs are built for working students transferring credits from an earlier degree, and in-person programs are admitting and graduating qualified candidates to ease the nursing shortage. Weigh how well a program transfers credits, its scheduling flexibility, and whether it offers part-time or accelerated tracks.

Are my current credits transferable?

Most general education credits do not expire, but you need to know whether yours will actually transfer. Start with accreditation, both for your old program and your intended one.

Accreditation. Nursing accreditation is a peer-review process certifying that graduates are qualified to practice as RNs. Regional accreditation is generally the most prestigious, awarded by one of six regional bodies. National accreditation usually goes to career programs, vocational schools, and industry certifications. Regionally accredited schools only accept credits from other regionally accredited schools, while nationally accredited programs accept credits from both.

Your transcript. Credits transfer across state lines. Contact your first program for an unofficial transcript to start. Schools must keep your transcript on file as long as the program stays open, and you can often view it online for a small fee. When you apply, the new program will want an official transcript sent directly and sealed. Have an admissions counselor review it to see how many credits qualify. If you think more should count, you can appeal, apply elsewhere, or test out.

Testing out and accelerating

One way to test out is the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). There are 34 CLEP tests, each costing $90, and passing one can knock down the tuition and time for prerequisite general education classes.

Another option is Sophia, an online platform with 48 classes that often transfer, at $99 per month. You can move as fast or slow as you want. Take a class in one month for $99, or three months for $297, still far cheaper than retaking it at full tuition. Confirm your program accepts Sophia credits first.

Prior-learning assessments

A bachelor's degree is a real investment of money and time, and you may be able to earn credit for prior workplace, life, and military experience. One 2020 study found nursing students who used prior-learning assessments (PLAs) graduated at a higher rate than those who did not, and found them flexible and affordable. The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) reports that students who earned PLA credit saved up to 14 months of study time.

Schools validate prior learning through work experience, professional training, and standardized exams, along with challenge exams and reviews of licenses, certifications, or outside training. Everyone wins: students save time and money, and schools see higher enrollment and graduation rates.

Nursing students have four main PLA routes:

• Portfolio review. Evaluated by CAEL or nursing faculty, your portfolio must prove mastery of the subject. It is a formal document that can include an autobiography, resume, goal statements, bibliography, and letters of verification.
• Standardized examination. Offered by several organizations but must be approved by your school. The College Board's College Level Examination or Advanced Placement exams may qualify.
• Program challenge exam. Some programs build a rigorous challenge exam to assess your knowledge of the subject.
• Credit for training. The American Council on Education or the National College Credit Recommendation Service can award credit for military training, years of employment, or volunteer service.

Work with an admissions counselor to map out what transfers. Even if your coursework is 30 years old, the goal is finding a program that works with your experience, not against it.

Bottom line

College credits do not expire, but they get harder to transfer over time. General education classes are usually evergreen, while STEM courses carry about a 10-year shelf life. Programs set their own rules, so talk to the one you are applying to. If credits will not transfer, you can test out, retake low-cost classes through a platform like Sophia, or use a prior-learning assessment (portfolio, standardized exam, challenge test, or credit for military, work, or volunteer experience) to shorten your program and save money.