Transcripts
A Columbia Basin College official transcript is a record of a student’s permanent academic work at CBC. It bears the Washington state seal and the Registrar’s signature. In compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), a transcript of grades will be sent to a college, university or other agency only upon the student’s written request. Students may order and pay for official transcripts via the College’s Transcript webpage. Transcripts will not be released to a third party without written permission of the student. Unofficial transcripts are available at no cost on MyCBC. Holds on permanent records resulting from failure to return College equipment or material or failure to complete financial aid exit counseling, must be cleared by the student before unofficial or official transcripts will be released.
CBC does not release transcripts from high schools or other educational institutions. Transcripts from other institutions submitted during the admissions process are part of the student’s official file and will not be returned to the student.
Transfer Evaluation
Columbia Basin College subscribes to the statewide policy on Inter-Collegiate Transfer and Articulation, as endorsed by the public and private colleges and universities of Washington and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, and adopted by the Washington Student Achievement Council.
CBC accepts credits transferred from accredited institutions. Approved institutional accreditation agencies are as follows: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC); Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE); Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) (will be The Commission on Colleges and Universities beginning September 1, 2026); WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Credits earned at institutions during their candidacy for accreditation by an accrediting agency (see the list of approved accrediting agencies above) are accepted if accreditation was granted three years subsequent to the candidacy. Credits earned while an institution was not in candidacy or accredited will not be accepted.
All credits are subject to evaluation based on credit equivalency provided the credit is essentially equivalent in academic level and content to courses offered at CBC. The College reserves the right to accept or reject courses transcribed at other institutions graded with a failing, withdrawal, incomplete, audit or non-credit courses.
International transcripts must be translated into English and evaluated on a course-by-course basis by a current member of NACES®. Students can find a link to the list of NACES® member international transcript evaluation agencies on the Transfer of Credit webpage.
It is recommended that students make an individual appointment with a CBC completion coach to review how transfer credits will apply to CBC degrees and certificates. If students need clarification on an evaluation, they are encouraged to contact the Student Records office.
In lieu of an official transcript evaluation, an unofficial transcript may be used one quarter only for purposes of advising and registration.
Transfer of Credit Process
1. Apply for admission or reactivate your account.
2. Send in transcripts from previously attended colleges and/or universities. A transcript is official if it is sent directly from the sending institution to CBC.
3. Your transcripts will be reviewed and a course-by-course evaluation will be completed. You will be notified when the evaluation is complete.
For more information, visit the Transfer of Credit webpage.
Reciprocity Agreement
Washington Community and Technical Colleges (CTCs) offer reciprocity to students transferring within the CTC system who are pursuing the Associate in Arts and Sciences degree (AA-DTA). Students who completed an individual course that met distribution degree requirements or fulfilled an entire area of their degree requirements at one college will be considered to have met those same requirements if they plan to complete the same degree when they transfer to another community or technical college in Washington. To earn a degree and/or certificate, students must initiate the review process and must be prepared to provide necessary documentation to both the sending and receiving institutions. Students must meet the graduation residency requirement and must be continuously enrolled, as defined under the Catalog Option Policy.
Academic Credit for Prior Learning (ACPL)
Columbia Basin College acknowledges opportunities for mastering specific skills and competencies that can be gained outside of a formal classroom experience. Prior learning can be achieved through education, work or life experiences. Students may earn credit and/or advanced placement.
Currently enrolled students may earn college credit when they demonstrate course mastery by examination, evaluation of their professional experience or substantial prior learning meets the specific outcomes of a CBC course. Each department determines eligible courses and the evaluation method required for students to demonstrate mastery of course content.
Non-Traditional Learning Credit
- Experiential Learning (EL)
- Extra-Institutional Learning (EIL)
- Course Challenge (CC)
- Military Credit and Experience
Non-Traditional Learning Credit Guidelines:
- Students must be currently enrolled at CBC before credits can be awarded. Credits may be awarded for courses offered at CBC.
- No credit will be awarded if the same course is taken at CBC, except for variable credit courses.
- Students may earn:
- CBC associate degree (transfer and professional/technical)/certificate: Up to half of the total credits required.
- CBC bachelor's degree: Up to half of the total credits required.
- Credits do not count toward the minimum residency requirement.
- Credits will be recorded with a P grade (with the exception of course challenge for which a decimal grade is awarded) and are limited to use within the restricted electives of transfer degrees (AA/DTA, AA/DTA/MRP, AS-T).
- Students will need to pay non-refundable fees to earn credit.
Exam-Based Credit
- Advanced Placement (AP)
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Cambridge International (CI)
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
- DANTES Subject Test (DSST)
Exam-Based Credit guidelines for AP, IB, CI:
- Students must be currently enrolled at CBC before credits can be awarded.
- Credit will be awarded on the basis of official results, not transcript notation.
- No credit will be awarded if the same course is taken at CBC, except for variable credit courses.
- Students may earn:
- CBC associate degree (transfer and professional/technical)/certificate: Up to half of the total credits required.
- CBC bachelor's degree: Up to half of the total credits required.
- Credits do not count toward the minimum residency requirement.
- Credits will be recorded with a P grade and may be used within any discipline, as they’re not restricted.
Exam-Based Credit guidelines for CLEP, DSST:
- Students must be currently enrolled at CBC before credits can be awarded.
- Credit will be awarded on the basis of official results, not transcript notation.
- No credit will be awarded if the same course is taken at CBC, except for variable credit courses.
- Students may earn:
- CBC associate degree (transfer): Up to 15 restricted elective credits, see degree requirements.
- CBC associate degree (professional/technical)/certificate: Up to half of the total credits required.
- CBC bachelor's degree: Up to half of the total credits required.
- Credits do not count toward the minimum residency requirement.
- Credits will be recorded with a P grade and may be used as restricted electives.
For more information about academic credit for prior learning, visit the Academic Credit for Prior Learning webpage.
Experiential Learning
Columbia Basin College grants credit for learning that ties prior experiences to the theories, data and skills in the discipline for which the student is seeking credit. Assessment of experiential learning credit is the responsibility of faculty who are content specialists. Each department that offers credit for experiential learning establishes specific evaluation methods. Experiential learning credit is granted only for classes that are designated as experiential learning eligible courses. For more information, visit the Academic Credit for Prior Learning webpage.
Extra-Institutional Learning
Columbia Basin College grants credit for knowledge and skills acquired outside the institution and objectively verified through third-party certifications. This includes industry-recognized testing/training, licensure exams and occupational crosswalks. For more information, please visit the Academic Credit for Prior Learning webpage.
Course Challenge
Columbia Basin College grants credit when a student demonstrates that previous experience provides the competencies essential for passing the course. The course challenge may only be completed during the term in which the course is being offered. If the student is enrolled in a course for which they wish to challenge, the course challenge process must be completed within the first week of the course. Course challenge is granted only for classes that are designated as course challenge eligible courses. For more information, visit the Academic Credit for Prior Learning webpage.
Military Credit & Experience
Columbia Basin College recognizes learning acquired in the military by accepting the credit recommendations of the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services. In addition, a student may earn credits awarded by institutions listed in the ACE National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Program and the Directory of the National Program on Non-collegiate Sponsored Instruction, provided that the courses are at college level.
Credits will be evaluated only from official military documents requested by the student and based on the American Council on Education’s Registry of Credit Recommendations. For military credit and experience, a maximum of three physical education credits will be awarded. All other military credits are limited to use within the restricted electives of transfer degrees (AA/DTA, AA/DTA/MRP, AS-T). Official military transcripts must be received by the end of the student’s second quarter at CBC.
College Board Advanced Placement (AP)
Washington state community and technical colleges will award unrestricted elective credit for an Advanced Placement (AP) score of three or higher. Credits granted for general education or major requirements will be specified by the receiving institution’s AP credit policies; otherwise, elective credit will be granted. AP scores, even once added to the transcript, are subject to re-evaluation at institutions outside the Community and Technical College system, including baccalaureate institutions. For more information, visit the Academic Credit for Prior Learning webpage.
International Baccalaureate
Washington state community and technical colleges will award unrestricted elective credit for an International Baccalaureate (IB) score of four or higher on standard-level or higher-level IB exams. Credits granted for general education or major requirements will be specified by the receiving institution’s IB credit policies; otherwise, elective credit will be granted. IB scores, even once added to the transcript, are subject to re-evaluation at institutions outside the Community and Technical College system, including baccalaureate institutions. For more information, visit the Academic Credit for Prior Learning webpage.
Cambridge International (CI)
Washington state community and technical colleges will award unrestricted elective credit for a Cambridge International (CI) score of E or higher on A and AS level exams. Credits granted for general education or major requirements will be specified by the receiving institution’s CI credit policies; otherwise, elective credit will be granted. CI scores, even once added to the transcript, are subject to re-evaluation at institutions outside the Community and Technical College system, including baccalaureate institutions. For more information, visit the Academic Credit for Prior Learning webpage.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Columbia Basin College grants credit for a score of 50 in the specific examination. For more information, visit the Academic Credit for Prior Learning webpage.
DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST)
Columbia Basin College grants credit for a score of 500. For more information, visit the Academic Credit for Prior Learning webpage.
Transferring to a College/University
Transfer Intent Students
Students who intend to transfer to a bachelor's institution to complete a four-year degree are strongly recommended to work closely with Columbia Basin College completion coaches when planning their course selection. Additionally, students should familiarize themselves with the requirements and procedures of the institution to which they wish to transfer as soon as possible in their college experience. These are generally found in the baccalaureate institution’s catalog or on their website.
The following tips may be helpful to transfer intent students:
- Students should know the admission requirements for transfer.
- Students should know the general graduation requirements and the recommended courses for the first two years of college in their field of interest or major.
- Courses numbered 100 and above will usually transfer to most baccalaureate institutions. However, acceptance of CBC courses, academic credits for prior learning, credits by examination and transfer GPA computation remain a prerogative of the receiving baccalaureate institutions. Most professional-technical courses are not designated for transfer and are subject to the 15-credit limitation within the Associate in Arts and Sciences degree.
- Any change in major or choice of baccalaureate institution may necessitate adjustment of a student’s curriculum to meet the admission and/or course transfer requirements of the different baccalaureate institution. Students should meet with their completion coach as soon as possible to discuss the impact of any change in their curricula.
- Students should attend CBC transfer workshops when they are offered.
- Students should schedule meetings with representatives of the institution to which they wish to transfer whenever they may be on the CBC campus to meet with prospective students.
- Students should apply to the baccalaureate institution according to the institution’s procedures and deadlines and provide their official CBC transcript as requested to the baccalaureate institution.
- Before transferring, students should arrange to visit the campus of the baccalaureate institution, which allows students to see the facilities and visit with an advisor in their major. Students should take a CBC transcript of their grades with them to facilitate the advisory meeting.
Reverse Transfer
Students who leave CBC without a degree may transfer the required remaining credits from an accredited college/university back to CBC to have their degree* posted. Students must complete the following:
- Update contact information with Student Records.
- Complete a graduation application with a completion coach.
- Submit official transcript from the college/university to CBC for evaluation of transference of credits.
*Please see Catalog Option Policy to determine which degree requirements students must meet.
Transfer Rights & Responsibilities
- Students have the right to clear, accurate and current information about their transfer admission requirements, transfer admission deadlines, degree requirements and transfer policies that include course equivalencies.
- Transfer and freshman-entry students have the right to expect comparable standards for regular admission to programs and comparable program requirements.
- Students have the right to seek clarification regarding their transfer evaluation and may request the reconsideration of any aspect of that evaluation. In response, the College will follow established practices and processes for reviewing its transfer credit decisions.
- Students who encounter other transfer difficulties have the right to seek resolution. Each institution will have a defined process for resolution that is published and readily available to students.
- Students have the responsibility to complete all materials required for admission and to submit the application on or before the published deadlines.
- Students have the responsibility to plan their courses of study by referring to the specific published degree requirements of the college or academic program in which they intend to earn a bachelor’s degree.
- When a student changes a major or degree program, the student assumes full responsibility for meeting the new requirements.
- Students who complete the general education requirements at any public four-year institution of higher education in Washington, when admitted to another public four-year institution, will have met the lower division general education requirements of the institution to which they transfer.
College & University Rights & Responsibilities
- Colleges and universities have the right and authority to determine program requirements and course offerings in accordance with their institutional missions.
- Colleges and universities have the responsibility to communicate and publish their requirements and course offerings to students and the public, including information about student transfer rights and responsibilities.
- Colleges and universities have the responsibility to communicate their admission- and transfer-related decisions to students in writing (electronic or paper).
Specialized Transfer Assistance
Washington State University Tri-Cities at Columbia Basin College
Columbia Basin College students and staff seeking information about transferring to Washington State University (WSU) Tri-Cities through the Bridges program can meet with WSU Tri-Cities advisors located in their Transfer University office. Bridges is a coordinated bachelor’s degree program partnership between CBC and WSU Tri-Cities, offering students a continuous pathway to one of 21 bachelor's degree programs. An important component of this program is the integrated advising that occurs between CBC students, completion coaches, and WSU Tri-Cities academic advisors utilizing Plans of Study to keep students on track toward a bachelor’s degree. On the CBC campus, completion coaches share transfer information via office visits, campus information tables, Future Cougs FYI modules and collaborative workshops.
To meet with a CBC completion coach about your CBC degree options and requirements, or to schedule an appointment with a visiting WSU Tri-Cities academic advisor about Bridges, contact CBC Counseling & Advising at 509-542-5505. To learn more about the Bridges program, visit the Bridges webpage.
Heritage University at Columbia Basin College
Heritage University offers rigorous, relevant and responsive academic programs in the Tri-Cities through a convenient evening and weekend model. With a strong liberal arts environment that stresses academic excellence, cross-cultural learning and the development of the whole person, Heritage University provides professional and career-oriented programs to prepare students for life and work.
Program advisors are available to meet with interested students at the Heritage at CBC office in the Planetarium.
For more information:
Heritage at CBC
T Building, Room T347
2600 N. 20th Ave., Pasco, WA
509-542-5506 or email tricities@heritage.edu