College-level Examination Program (CLEP)

NIU is a national test site for the College-level Examination Program (CLEP). If you’re a student or community member, you can take CLEP exams at NIU. You can get NIU course credit for CLEP exams or transfer your CLEP credit to another institution (refer to their CLEP policy).

Since July 1, 2001, CLEP exams have been administered on computers. The scores for computer-based exams are reported differently than those for the paper-and-pencil exams given before that date.

To get college credit for CLEP exams at NIU, you must request your official score report to be sent directly to NIU. This should be done as early as possible.

How to Take the Exam

1. Register for the exam on College Board and pay the $95 exam fee. Effective July 1, 2025 the new CLEP exam fee will be $97.
2. Schedule the exam at NIU and pay the non-refundable $25 administrative fee.

You don’t need to pay the administrative fee if you’re an eligible military member (first attempts only).

Computer-based Exams

General Exams

Subject Exams

^[1] If you qualify for credit for BIOS 208, 210, 209 and 211, you can choose to substitute it with BIOS 103 and 105. To do this, you must send a written request to Testing Services within 30 days of being notified about your credit eligibility.