CLEP and AP for homeschoolers
Two ways to earn college credit by exam, and the different ways to register for each.
The College Board's homeschoolers' guide says anyone can take CLEP, including homeschoolers, registering through My CLEP and testing at a center or by remote proctoring for US students 13 and older. AP is different: parents cannot order exams, so a homeschooler tests at a local school authorized for AP, contacting its coordinator early, with orders due mid-November and exams in May.
Checked October 29, 2026.
CLEP
- Anyone can take it, and no school enrollment is required.
- Register through the My CLEP student portal and schedule at a test center.
- Remote proctoring is available for US students 13 and older.
- CLEP says over 3,000 colleges accept its credit and it has more than 2,000 test centers; the exams are multiple-choice and about 90 to 120 minutes.
- Students eligible for the SAT fee waiver are also eligible for CLEP fee waivers.
AP
- Parents and students cannot order AP exams directly.
- Search the AP Course Ledger by city and state, then contact the school's AP coordinator as early as possible.
- Exam order deadlines are in mid-November and exams are given in the first two weeks of May.
- Most AP exams can be self-studied; a formal course is recommended but not required.
- Ask the coordinator about fee reductions.
A caution
Colleges decide which scores they accept for credit. Check each college's policy.
Sources
- College Board: The Homeschoolers' Guide to College Board Assessments (dated 29 June 2026) (checked October 29, 2026)
- College Board: CLEP (checked October 29, 2026)