AP Career Kickstart Credentials Overview
AP Career Kickstart (CK) credentials are designed with faculty and industry experts to meet the standards and expectations of employers and higher education. Each credential, based on exam performance, validates mastery of qualifying skills, the technical and professional skills needed for success in aligned occupations. Students who earn AP CK employer-endorsed credentials are empowered to succeed in multiple career and education pathways, such as apprenticeships, two- or four-year degree programs, or employment.
How to Earn AP CK Credentials
The AP Program is an independent, third-party entity that oversees AP Exam development, dissemination, standard setting, and scoring. AP CK Exams are scored on a scale of 1–5; the qualifying score to earn a credential is 3 or higher.
High School Students
There are no restrictions on who can take AP CK Exams, as long as they are taking an authorized high school course and have a College Board account. Students not enrolled in an AP CK course can arrange to take the relevant exam at their school or, if their school doesn’t administer the exam, at a local school or testing center that administers it.
Adult Students
Students enrolled at approved nontraditional public high schools designed to serve adult learners and opportunity youth are eligible to take AP CK Exams. These schools are authorized to participate in an AP CK Exam administration by meeting the AP Registration and Ordering requirements, including meeting the ordering deadline in November.
The extensive work done by AP teachers, college faculty, and industry advisors in the development of the AP CK Exams and scoring processes ensures that exams accurately represent student achievement in the equivalent college course and baseline-level mastery of skills valued by industry. These credentials provide students a new tool to signal skills attainment and career readiness in a way that employers trust and endorse.
How AP CK Credentials Can Be Applied
Credential holders can leverage AP CK credentials in all their efforts to further their postgraduation plans.
- For students who are considering moving directly to employment after graduation, credentials can support applications to internships, apprenticeships, and part- and full-time employment.
- For students who plan to pursue further education, 2-year and 4-year colleges can use AP Exam scores to award credit and facilitate placement into associated programs of study.
- Students can post their credentials on résumés and career-oriented social media platforms.
- After earning AP CK credentials, students are well-positioned to earn “stackable” postsecondary and employer-endorsed credentials throughout their education and professional development.
About AP CK Courses
While the AP CK Exam can be taken on its own, we encourage students to take the AP CK course associated with the credential.
AP CK courses equip students for high-skill, high-growth careers through:
- Instruction in both technical and professional skills
- Emphasis on hands-on, project based learning grounded in real-world scenarios
- Alignment to career and technical education (CTE) and industry standards
- Opportunity to earn an employer-endorsed credential upon achieving a qualifying exam score