Step-by-Step Application Guide

This page provides a step-by-step guide for completing your credit transfer and credit equivalency applications.

(If you are applying for pre-approval of credit, please click here for detailed instructions.)

STEP 1: Determine whether you are eligible for credit transfer or credit equivalency

You are eligible for credit transfer or credit equivalency if you:

• Are active in a full-time program;
• Are in good financial/academic standing with the college; and
• Have obtained a minimum grade of 60% in any previous course(s) you are submitting for evaluation

*Note for Professional and Part-time Learning (Continuing Education) students:
We will also accept RPL applications from students who intend to complete the Educational Assistant or Early Childhood Education programs through Continuing Education/PPL (part-time). Other Continuing Education/PPL programs are not eligible for RPL at this time. Please note you must be registered in at least one course in order to access the application form.

STEP 2: Check the List of Previously Evaluated Courses

Review the Previously Evaluated Courses list (also called the “Master List”) to see if your previous courses have already been approved for credit toward an NBCC course. Click this link and enter your login details to view the list:  https://helpdesk.nbcc.ca/CherwellPortal/RPLPortal

For help understanding how to use the Previously Evaluated Courses list, watch our video tutorial.

Helpful Tip: You will need to filter on the NBCC course code and your previous institution to find out if your previously completed courses have been approved, rejected, or not assessed.



When entering the course code in the filter field, use the following format: COMM1155 (no spaces and no letter at the end of the 8-digit code).

The list of previously evaluated courses is for INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY and is being made available to assist you in identifying possible credit transfers and/or equivalencies you may be eligible to receive. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this data, errors may exist.

Even though courses may be listed as approved on the list, students MUST submit an RPL application to obtain credit transfer, credit equivalency, or pre-approval.

STEP 3: Perform a self-assessment

If your course is not on the Previously Evaluated Courses list, you should use the View Course Profile feature on the RPL Portal to obtain a copy of the course outline for the NBCC course for which you are seeking credit. This will help you to better understand the course competencies and learning outcomes you are expected to achieve.

To view NBCC course profiles, login to the RPL Portal.

Watch the video tutorial on how to search for your course profile.

Next, compare the competencies and learning outcomes listed on the NBCC outline with the prior learning you have achieved through your post-secondary coursework, work experience, or informal learning. If at least 80% of the competencies, scope, and depth of learning match, you should consider submitting an RPL application.

STEP 4: Prepare to submit your application

Are you submitting formal learning (post-secondary courses) for evaluation?

If you are submitting one or more previously completed courses for evaluation, you must include the following supporting documentation with your application:

• Detailed course outline(s) for previously completed course(s)
  A detailed course outline includes specific information about the competencies and learning outcomes you achieved, as well as the methods of assessment and any other details that will help us to determine whether the course matches at least 80% of the competencies, scope, and level of learning required in the respective NBCC course. Applications with insufficient course outlines will be rejected.
  
  IMPORTANT: The course code indicated on your outline MUST match the related code on your official transcript.
  
  Please note: You may also choose to submit additional supporting documentation to demonstrate the learning you achieved in the course(s) you previously completed. This evidence could include lists of experiments, assignment guidelines, handouts, supplemental documents, etc.
• Official transcript from a recognized post-secondary institution
  Your transcript must show that credit was awarded for your course(s) and that you earned a minimum grade of 60%. You may upload a scanned copy of your official transcript with your application OR if you do not have a copy of your official transcript, you should attach an unofficial version for review. However, in order for your result to be finalized and credit added to your NBCC transcript you must submit an official transcript to the RPL Office no later than 14 calendar days following submission of your RPL application.
  
  If you need to request an official transcript from your previous post-secondary institution, please ask them to email it to the RPL Office at RPL@nbcc.ca.
  
  If your previous post-secondary institution will not email your official transcript to us directly, ask them to mail it to your home address. You can then scan the document and send it to RPL@nbcc.ca. Please include your full name, NBCC student ID, and the Service Request number of your RPL application in the subject line of your email. 
  
  Please note that we do not require official transcripts from NBCC. If you are submitting an NBCC course for credit transfer, you may simply upload your unofficial transcript with your application.

Are you submitting work or life experience and/or non-formal learning for evaluation?

If you are submitting experiential and/or non-formal learning for evaluation, your supporting documentation must adhere to the following guidelines:

• The documents must verify the learning described in your application form
• A detailed résumé and references are required when learning outcomes are linked to specific work-related experiences.
• Where relevant, you should also include secondary sources of documentation that verify your learning achievements. These sources may take a variety of forms such as:
  • Outlines, course syllabus, pamphlets, newsletters, or promotional materials
  • Certificates of completion from seminars or workshops, accompanied by details regarding the service provider and the intended outcome of the training
  • Samples of work you have produced which demonstrate the specified learning, such as portfolios, products, models, written reports, visual presentations, published articles, or project plans

Do you need to submit English translations of your supporting documents?

All documents submitted with your RPL application must be in English. If your original document is not in English, you must provide an official/professional translation along with the original untranslated document. Any documents that have not been translated by a professional translator will be rejected.

STEP 5: Complete the application as early as possible

Before you apply, watch this video about completing the application form.

Login to the RPL Portal and submit your application.

Be sure to have all your supporting documents ready so you can submit your application as early as possible.

Note: If your course is short (1-2 weeks), you must apply before the date the course is scheduled to end. We will not accept applications for courses that are nearly or fully completed. Please submit your application as early as possible to avoid being denied for this reason.

When you submit the application form, you will receive an acknowledgement email confirming that we received your application. Please add "@nbcc.ca" to your safe sender email list and check your junk folder regularly in case our messages end up there.

STEP 6: Figure out your options once you receive your results

If your application is approved, you will receive an email notification with instructions on how to indicate your acceptance or rejection of the offer. If you accept the offer, your transcript will be updated with a CR for credit transfer or EQ for credit equivalency. The grade you achieved in your previous course is not indicated on the transcript or included in your GPA.

If your application is denied, you may appeal the decision if you can provide new evidence of your prior learning. All appeal decisions are final. For details about the appeal process, see the Frequently Asked Questions.

Pre-approval Application Guide

Use the pre-approval application if you have failed a course at NBCC that is required for graduation and you want to take an equivalent course at another post-secondary institution and transfer the credit to NBCC. You must complete the pre-approval process and obtain a Letter of Permission from the RPL Office before enrolling in an external course. 

STEP 1: Determine whether you are eligible for pre-approval

You are eligible for pre-approval if you:

• Are active in a full-time program;
• Are in good financial/academic standing with the college; and
• Have failed an NBCC course that is required for graduation and do not have the option to re-take the course.

STEP 2: Meet with a Co-ordinating Instructor or other student advisor

To determine whether pre-approval is the right option for you, you should discuss your situation with your Co-ordinating Instructor or another student advisor. You can review the Previously Evaluated Courses List with your advisor to check if any external courses have been approved for credit toward the NBCC course you need to make up.

If you wish to take a course that has not already been approved, you must obtain a detailed course outline which clearly identifies the learning outcomes and methods of assessment. This course outline will be assessed against the NBCC course you need to determine whether at least 80% of the competencies, scope, and level of learning match.

STEP 3: Complete the pre-approval application and attach supporting documents

The RPL Office, your Co-ordinating Instructor, or a student advisor can provide you with the link to the online pre-approval application form (Note for CIs and advisors: The application link is on the RPL SharePoint site). Please note this link is different from the standard credit transfer application link on the RPL portal. If you submit an RPL credit transfer application for a failed/incomplete NBCC course, your application will be rejected and you will be required to complete the pre-approval application instead.

A separate application must be submitted for each pre-approval request.

Attach the following documentation to the application form:

• A scanned copy of your unofficial NBCC transcript
• If you are applying to take a course that has not already been approved on the Master List, you must also submit a detailed course outline which identifies the learning outcomes and the methods of assessment

When you submit the application form, you will receive an acknowledgement email confirming that we received your application. To ensure the message does not go to your junk folder, please add “@nbcc.ca” to your safe sender email list.

If your application is approved, you will receive a Letter of Permission outlining the conditions for pre-approval.

If your application is rejected, you may submit another application for pre-approval using a different external post-secondary course.

STEP 4: Complete the pre-approved course and provide your official transcript to the RPL Office

Once you have successfully completed the pre-approved course, request an official transcript from your external post-secondary institution and have them send it via email to RPL@nbcc.ca

Your transcript must show you achieved a minimum grade of 60% in the course for which you received pre-approval. Once all conditions have been met, your transcript will be updated and your Academic Chair will be notified.