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H.R. 10452House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Credit for Prior Learning Act

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include in the calculation of cost of attendance an allowance for costs for prior learning assessments.

Sponsored by Donald NorcrossRep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ)
Introduced September 16, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated September 24, 2026 at 3:51 AM UTC

The Credit for Prior Learning Act would amend the Higher Education Act to let colleges count up to $2,000 (adjusted for inflation) per award year toward a student’s cost‑of‑attendance when the student pays for prior‑learning assessments. It also defines what qualifies as an eligible prior‑learning assessment, requires accrediting bodies to verify that schools have proper standards for such assessments, and adds reporting requirements on how many students receive prior‑learning credit, broken down by race, income and Pell‑grant status. The changes affect higher‑education institutions, students who use prior‑learning credit, and accreditation agencies.

Key Provisions

  • Adds a $2,000 (inflation‑adjusted) allowance per award year to the cost‑of‑attendance calculation for reasonable costs of prior‑learning assessments.
  • Defines “eligible credit for prior learning assessment” as evaluations of knowledge or skills learned outside college that meet expert‑accepted criteria and can earn academic credit without additional coursework.
  • Requires accrediting agencies, during accreditation reviews, to confirm that institutions have publicly disclosed standards for assessing prior learning that meet expert‑accepted levels.
  • Mandates colleges to report the number of students receiving prior‑learning credit and the average credits awarded, each broken out by race, income, and Pell‑grant status.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Education and Workforce Committee

September 16, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 16, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Education and Workforce Committee

September 16, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 16, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10452

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 16, 2026

Mr. Norcross introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce

A BILL

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include in the calculation of cost of attendance an allowance for costs for prior learning assessments.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Credit for Prior Learning Act.

2.

Cost of attendance to include an allowance for costs for prior learning assessments

Section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087ll), as amended by section 702 of the FAFSA Simplification Act (title VII of division FF of Public Law 116–260), is amended in subsection (a)—

(1)

in paragraph (13), by striking and after the semicolon;

(2)

in paragraph (14), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(15)

an allowance of not more than $2,000 per award year (adjusted for inflation in years following the 2025–2026 award year) for reasonable costs, including test fees, associated with the assessment of prior learning as part of one or more eligible credit for prior learning assessments.

.

3.

Definition of eligible credit for prior learning assessment

Section 481 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1088) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(g)

Eligible credit for prior learning assessment

For purposes of this title, the term eligible credit for prior learning assessment includes an evaluation of knowledge or skills learned outside of an institution of higher education—

(1)

that assesses for evidence of learning, not for experience or time spent;

(2)

that has been determined by the institution to be based on generally accepted criteria by relevant subject matter experts; and

(3)

for which successful assessment will result in the institution awarding academic credit (without the student having to enroll in additional coursework to achieve such academic credit) to meet all or part of the program requirements toward completion.

.

4.

Recognition of accrediting agency or association

Section 496(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1099b(c)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (8), by striking and after the semicolon;

(2)

in paragraph (9)(B), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(10)

confirms, as part of the agency’s or association’s review for accreditation or reaccreditation, that the institution has sufficient standards for assessment of prior learning—

(A)

that assess for skills, competencies, and knowledge at levels generally accepted by subject matter experts; and

(B)

that are publicly disclosed.

.

5.

Transparency in college tuition for consumers

Section 132(i)(1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1015a(i)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(AA)

The number of students receiving credit for prior learning, disaggregated by race, income, and status as a Federal Pell Grant recipient.

(BB)

The average number of credits awarded per student seeking credit for prior learning, disaggregated by race, income, and status as a Federal Pell Grant recipient.

.

6.

Effective date

Unless otherwise specified, this Act, and the amendments made by this Act, shall take effect on July 1, 2027.