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Steps to Request Credit for an Approved Certification/Credential:
- Apply for admission and select a program of study (declare a major).
- Enroll in a credit course.
- Submit Form 125-049E (log-in required) and attach a PDF copy of your certificate/credential to be sent to NOVA’s College Records Office.
It takes approximately four to twelve weeks to get credit posted to your record. Updates will be sent to your NOVA student email. To learn how to view your transfer credit report, click here .
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Credit for Prior Learning Webinar | First Friday of Every Month*, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Click HERE to register.
*Except for July 4, 2025
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Industry Certifications and Professional Credentials
General Information
Northern Virginia Community College accepts industry-standard certifications, credentials and/or professional courses for credit if they have been approved by NOVA faculty, Credit for Prior Learning Committee, Curriculum Committee, and Administrative Council.
Administration of Criminal Justice Certifications and Credentials
Business and Accounting Certifications and Credentials
Education Certifications and Credentials
Advanced Manufacturing and Skilled Trades Certifications and Credentials
Health Sciences Certifications and Credentials
Information Technology Certifications and Credentials
Approval Process of New Certifications and Credentials for Academic Credit
Any student or faculty/staff member may request an evaluation of a certification/credential not listed in this manual for academic credit by contacting the Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) Coordinator via email at cpl@nvcc.edu or the academic dean of the discipline where the potential NOVA equivalent course is offered. Credit will not be granted immediately upon request, but instead a formal proposal will be developed and submitted to the CPL Committee for review. If endorsed by the CPL Committee, the proposal will be forwarded to the Curriculum Committee for further actions. The Administrative Council has the final authority to approve the new certification or credential for academic credit. Once approved, the new CPL opportunity will be published in the following academic year’s catalog.
Credential /Certification
|
NOVA Equivalent
|
Credits
|
Source
|
Notes
|
Approved
|
Updated
|
| Jail Officer Certification |
ADJ 248 , ADJ 140 |
6 |
Prince William County Detention Center Correctional Officer Academy |
|
12/2024
|
08/2025 |
|
Basic Law Enforcement School Program Completion/ Certificate
|
ADJ 110 ,
ADJ 233 ,
ADJ 229 ,
ADJ 160 ,
ADJ 212 ,
ADJ 228
|
18
|
Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy
OR
Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy
OR
Prince William County Public Safety Training Academy |
To receive college credit students must submit a letter of verification from the training academy and a copy of their certificate of completion.
Students may enroll in the experiential learning portfolio development course to potentially earn additional credit for the following courses:
|
On File |
08/2025 |
Credential/Certification
|
NOVA Equivalent |
Credits
|
Source
|
Notes
|
Approved Date
|
| Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Certified Professional |
BUS 205 |
3 |
Society for Human Resource Management |
Certification must have been issued within 3 years. |
On File |
| Certified Professional Legal Secretary (PLS) |
ACC 211 , LGL 126 , and BUS 226 |
9 |
National Association of Legal Secretaries |
Certification must be current. |
On File |
Credential/Certification
|
NOVA Equivalent
|
Credits
|
Source
|
Notes
|
Approved Date
|
| Classroom Management Training Certification |
EDU 206 |
3 |
Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) |
|
12/2024 |
| Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential |
CHD 120 |
3 |
Council for Professional Recognition (CPR) |
Credential must be current within six months of requesting the credit for prior learning. The credential must be verified by the Council for Professional Recognition.
|
On File |
| Certificate of Achievement, Fairfax County-School Readiness |
CHD 120 |
3 |
Fairfax County Office for Children School Readiness |
Effective Summer 2009. Students should submit a copy of their program completion letter from Fairfax County Office for Children, Institute for Early Learning. |
On File |
| Virginia Early Childhood Foundation (VECF)-Early Educator Fast Track Certificate |
CHD 120 |
3 |
Virginia Early Childhood Foundation |
The VECF certificate must have been issued within 3 years. |
On File |
| VLS Infant and Toddler Certification |
CHD 166 , EDU 235 |
6 |
DoD Virtual Lab School |
Students must submit a copy of the VLS Infant and Toddler certificate to receive credits. |
10/2023 |
| VLS Preschool Certification |
CHD 145 , EDU 235 |
6 |
U.S. Department of Defense Child Development Virtual Laboratory School |
Students must submit a copy of the VLS Preschool certificate of completion to receive credit. |
10/2023 |
| VLS Family Childcare Certification |
CHD 145 , EDU 235 |
6 |
U.S. Department of Defense Child Development Virtual Laboratory School |
Students must submit a copy of the VLS Family Child Care certificate of completion to receive credit. |
10/2023 |
| VLS School-Age Certification |
CHD 145 , EDU 235 |
6 |
U.S. Department of Defense Child Development Virtual Laboratory School |
Students must submit a copy of the VLS School-Age certificate of completion to receive credit. |
10/2023 |
| AAPI Connect Peer Mentoring Certification |
SDV 100 |
1 |
The Asian American Pacific Islander Connect Peer Mentoring Program |
Students must submit a copy of the AAPI Connect Peer Mentoring certificate of completion to receive credit. |
09/2023 |
Credential/Certification
|
NOVA Equivalent
|
Credits
|
Source
|
Notes
|
Approved Date
|
| OSHA 10-General Industry Safety and Health |
SAF 130 |
1 |
Environmental Protection Agency |
Student must submit a 10-hour General Industry Safety and Health Card with the trainer’s name and date of issue. The certification must be current and issued within 5 years. |
On File |
| OSHA 30-Construction Safety and Health |
BLD 215 |
2 |
Environmental Protection Agency |
Student must submit a 30-hour Construction Safety and Health Card with the trainer’s name and date of issue. The certification must be current and issued within 5 years. |
On File |
| Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Section 608 Universal Certification |
AIR 276 |
1 |
Environmental Protection Agency |
Student must submit an EPA certified universal certification card with the date of issue. The certification must have been issued within 10 years. |
On File |
| Fiber Optics Installer (FOI) |
ELE 250 |
3 |
Electronics Technicians Association (ETA) |
Student must present a current ETA FIO certification for CPL credit. |
On File |
| Data Cabling Installer (DCI) |
ELE 189 |
3 |
Electronics Technicians Association (ETA) |
Student must present a current ETA DCI certification for CPL credit. |
On File |
| HVAC Master License |
AIR 111 ,
AIR 121 ,
AIR 122 ,
AIR 134 ,
AIR 154 ,
AIR 205 ,
AIR 207 |
26 |
Commonwealth of Virginia |
Certification or recertification must have been issued within 4 years. |
On File |
| North American Technician Excellence (NATE) Certification |
Under Review |
|
|
|
N/A |
| A1 - Engine Repair Certification |
AUT 112 |
4 |
Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) |
Certification must be current. |
On File |
| A2 - Automotive Transmission Trans Axle Certification |
AUT 142 |
4 |
Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) |
Certification must be current. |
On File |
| A3 - Manual Drive, Train and Axle Certification |
AUT 141 |
4 |
Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) |
Certification must be current. |
On File |
| A4 - Suspension and Steering Certification |
AUT 266 |
4 |
Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) |
Certification must be current. |
On File |
| A5 - Brakes Certification |
AUT 265 |
4 |
Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) |
Certification must be current. |
On File |
| A6 - Electrical System Certification |
AUT 241 |
4 |
Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) |
Certification must be current. |
On File |
| A7 - Heating & Air Conditioning Certification |
AUT 236 |
4 |
Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) |
Certification must be current. |
On File |
| A8 - Engine Performance Certification |
AUT 111 |
4 |
Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) |
Certification must be current. |
On File |
| B2 - Painting & Refinishing Certification |
AUB 118 |
4 |
Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) |
Certification must be current. |
On File |
| B3 - Non Structural Analysis Certification |
AUB 106 |
4 |
Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) |
Certification must be current. |
On File |
| B4 - Structural Analysis 7 Damage Repair Certification |
AUB 116 |
4 |
Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) |
Certification must be current. |
On File |
| G1 - Auto Maintenance and Light Repair Certification |
AUT 100 |
4 |
Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) |
Certification must be current. |
On File |
| L1 - Advanced Engine Performance Certification |
AUT 121 |
4 |
Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) |
Certification must be current. |
On File |
| L3 - Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist Certification |
AUT 233 |
4 |
Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) |
Certification must be current. |
01/2025 |
Credential/Certification
|
NOVA Equivalent
|
Credits
|
Source
|
Notes
|
Approved
|
Updated
|
|
| Clinical Coding Associate (CCA) |
HIM 110 ,
HIM 111 ,
HIM 199 ,
HIM 250 ,
HIM 254 ,
HIM 255 ,
HIM 260
|
19 |
American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) |
Proof of certification and an interview with the Assistant Dean for Health Information Management is required before CPL Credit can be applied. Except for HIM 199, all courses may be applied to the Health Information Management A.A.S degree. |
On File |
08/2025 |
|
| Clinical Coding Specialist Certificate (CSC) |
HIM 110 ,
HIM 111 ,
HIM 250 ,
HIM 254 ,
HIM 255 ,
HIM 260 |
18 |
American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) |
Proof of certification and an interview with the Health Management Information Program Director is required before CPL Credit can be applied. All courses may be applied to the Health Information Management A.A.S degree. |
On File |
08/2025 |
|
| EMT Certification |
EMS 111 , EMS 120 |
8 |
Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Emergency Medical Services (VDH-OEMS) |
Student must present unexpired certification. |
On File |
06/2025 |
|
| Advanced EMT Certification |
EMS 180 , EMS 181 , EMS 182 , EMS 183 , EMS 184 , EMS 185 , EMS 186 , EMS 170
|
11 |
Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Emergency Medical Services (VDH-OEMS) |
Student must present unexpired certification & successfully complete EMS 123-Clinical Preparation Lab before CPL is added to their transcript. |
On File |
06/2025 |
|
| EMT-Intermediate Certification |
EMS 221 , EMS 223 , EMS 224 , EMS 241
|
8 |
Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Emergency Medical Services (VDH-OEMS) |
Student must present unexpired certification and successfully complete EMS 222-Paramedic Cardiovascular Care before CPL is added to their transcript. |
On File |
06/2025 |
|
| Paramedic Certification |
EMS 163 , EMS 164 , EMS 165 , EMS 167 , EMS 210 , EMS 216 , EMS 225 , EMS 226 , EMS 246 , EMS 249 |
17 |
Vrginia Department of Health’s Office of Emergency Medical Services (VDH-OEMS) |
Student must present unexpired certification and successfully EMS212-Leadership and Professional Development before credits are added to their transcript. |
On File |
06/2025 |
|
Credential/Certification
|
NOVA Equivalent
|
Credits
|
Source
|
Notes
|
Approved
|
Updated
|
| Lifeguard/First Aid Certification |
PED 245 |
2 |
American Red Cross or National Safety Council |
Evidence of completed training within 2 years required. |
On File |
|
| CPR/Automated External Defibrillator Certification or the Basic Life Support Certification |
HLT 105 |
1 |
Various |
Online Training excluded. Evidence of completed training within 2 years. |
On File |
|
| Registered Respiratory (RRT) Credentials |
RTH 215 ,
RTH 222 ,
RTH 225 ,
RTH 227 ,
RTH 236 ,
and
RTH 290 |
20 |
The National Board of Respiratory Care |
Student must present a valid credential and successfully complete one of NOVA’s RTH courses with a grade of “C” or better prior to the application of CPL credit. |
On File |
|
| Neonatal Pediatric Specialist Designation Certification |
RTH 225
|
3 |
| Certified Respiratory Therapy (CRT) Credential |
RTH 102 ,
RTH 111 ,
RTH 120 ,
RTH 121 ,
RTH 131 ,
RTH 135 ,
RTH 145 ,
RTH 151 ,
RTH 196,
RTH 245 ,
and
RTH 296 |
28 |
The National Board for Respiratory Care |
Credit is awarded only with an official document showing such certification and only after successful completion of RTH 236. |
On File |
|
| Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) |
MDL 101 ,
MDL 125 ,
MDL 130 ,
MDL 140 ,
MDL 215 ,
MDL 216 ,
MDL 225 ,
MDL 243 ,
MDL 251 ,
MDL 260 ,
MDL 263 ,
MDL 266 ,
MDL 276 ,
MDL 277 ,
MDL 278 ,
and
MDL 281 |
45 |
American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), Board of Certification (BOC) |
Student who has completed a military laboratory training program and is certified as a MLT by the ASCP will be granted credit in all major courses. Valid documentation must be presented verifying certification. |
On File |
|
| Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) or Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) Certification |
MDL 106 |
4 |
American Society for Clinical Pathology, (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC)
or
Training through employer in an accredited laboratory.
|
Student who has extensive experience (within the past 10 years) in all aspects of phlebotomy under the direction of a CAP/JC/CLIA accredited laboratory should submit the following documents:
- Active CPT or MLA certification.
- Employment certification letter from a supervisor on the organization’s letterhead verifying experience.
Employment certification letter should contain the following:
- The date when the experience in Phlebotomy started and ended;
- The number of hours per week dedicated to work in Phlebotomy.
- The employer should also indicate in which phlebotomy areas (venipuncture and or skin puncture) the applicant demonstrated proficiency under the employer supervision.
Note: If you are currently working in phlebotomy and have an active CPT or MLA-ASCP BOC certification you will be eligible to receive credit for both MDL 105 and MDL 106 .
|
On File |
|
| Personal Trainer Certification |
PED 168 |
3 |
- American College of Sports Medicine,
- The American Council on Exercise,
- National Strength and Conditioning Association,
- National Academy of Sports Medicine
|
Student must submit an unexpired certification. |
On File |
|
| Practical Licensed Nurse Certification |
NSG 100 , NSG 106 , NSG 130 , NSG 152 , NSG 170 |
16 |
Virginia Board of Nursing |
Students must submit a copy of the LPN certificate and be accepted to the LPN to RN Bridge Program prior to requesting posting of credits. |
02/2024 |
08/2025 |
Certification/Credential
|
NOVA Equivalent
|
Credits
|
Source
|
Notes
|
Approved Date
|
| WDE-Certified Entry-Level Web Developer |
ITD 110 |
3 |
OpenEDG-JS Institute |
10 years or less |
12/2024 |
| PCEP-Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer |
ITP 150 |
4 |
OpenEDG-Python Institute |
10 years or less |
12/2024 |
| PCAP-Certified Associate Python Programmer |
ITP 250 |
4 |
OpenEDG-Python Institute |
10 years or less |
12/2024 |
| Project Management Professional (PMP) |
ITP 170 |
3 |
Project Management Institute (PMI) |
10 years or less |
12/2024 |
| Data+ |
ITD 145 |
3 |
CompTIA |
10 years or less |
05/2024 |
| Server+ |
ITN 200 |
3 |
CompTIA |
10 years or less |
05/2024 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) |
ITN 262 |
4 |
CompTIA |
10 years or less |
On File |
| Network + |
ITN 101 |
3 |
CompTIA |
10 years or less |
On File |
| Security + |
ITN 260 |
3 |
CompTIA |
10 years or less |
On File |
| A+ Core Series: Core 1 and Core 2 |
ITN 107 & ITN 106 |
6 |
CompTIA |
10 years or less |
On File |
| Linux + |
ITN 170 |
3 |
CompTIA |
10 years or less |
On File |
| Project + |
ITP 170 |
3 |
CompTIA |
10 years or less |
On File |
| CISSP |
ITN 260 |
3 |
ISC2 |
10 years or less |
On File |
| Cisco CCNA |
ITN 154 , ITN 155 , & ITN 156 |
12 |
Cisco |
10 years or less |
On File |
| AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner |
ITN 257 |
3 |
Amazon |
10 years or less |
On File |
| AWS Certified Solutions Architect: Associate/Professional |
ITN 213 |
3 |
Amazon |
10 years or less |
On File |
| Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) |
ITN 261 |
4 |
EC-Council |
10 years or less |
On File |
| Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL): Practitioner |
ITP 170 |
3 |
AXELOS |
10 years or less |
On File |
| Google IT Support Professional Certification |
ITE 152 , ITN 101 , & ITN 260 |
9 |
Google |
10 years or less |
On File |
| Google Data Analytics Certification |
ITD 145 & ITD 245 |
6 |
Google |
10 years or less |
On File |
| Google UX Design Certification |
ITD 110 |
3 |
Google |
10 years or less |
On File |
| Google Project Management Certification |
ITP 170 |
3 |
Google |
10 years or less |
On File |
| Information Technology Specialist: HTML and CSS |
ITD 110 |
3 |
Certiport, Pearson VUE |
10 years or less |
On File |
| Information Technology Specialist: HTML 5 Application Development |
ITP 225 |
4 |
Certiport, Pearson VUE |
10 years or less |
On File |
| Information Technology Specialist: Databases |
ITD 256 |
3 |
Certiport, Pearson VUE |
10 years or less |
On File |
| Information Technology Specialist: Database Analytics |
ITD 145 |
3 |
Certiport, Pearson VUE |
10 years or less |
On File |
| Information Technology Specialist: JavaScript |
ITP 140 |
4 |
Certiport, Pearson VUE |
10 years or less |
On File |
| Information Technology Specialist: Python |
ITP 150 |
4 |
Certiport, Pearson VUE |
10 years or less |
On File |
| Information Technology Specialist: Java |
ITP 120 |
4 |
Certiport, Pearson VUE |
10 years or less |
On File |
| YRUP-0001 CIS 101-Introduction to Computer Applications |
ITE 152 |
3 |
Year Up United |
10 years or less, ACE/Credly Transcript required |
On File |
| YRUP-0002 CIS 102-Advanced Excel |
ITE 140 |
3 |
Year Up United |
10 years or less, ACE/Credly Transcript required |
On File |
| YRUP-0006 CIS 201-Computer Hardware |
ITN 107 |
3 |
Year Up United |
10 years or less, ACE/Credly Transcript required |
On File |
| YRUP-0007 CIS 202-Operating System |
ITN 106 |
3 |
Year Up United |
10 years or less, ACE/Credly Transcript required |
On File |
| YRUP-0009 CIS 203-Computer Network |
ITN 101 |
3 |
Year Up United |
10 years or less, ACE/Credly Transcript required |
On File |
| YRUP-0014 COM 150-Public Speaking |
CST 100 |
3 |
Year Up United |
10 years or less, ACE/Credly Transcript required |
On File |
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