Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Turn your skills into academic success

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is a way for you to receive credit for knowledge and skills you have already acquired. If you’ve gained skills or knowledge through work, volunteering, training, or life experience, even if it wasn’t in a classroom, you may be able to have that learning recognized toward your program. This can help you save time and money as you work toward your credential.

To get credit for prior learning, you will need to learn about the process and talk to someone at the college about your experience and the course or program you’re interested in. If PLAR is a good fit, you’ll be guided through the steps, which include paying a fee and showing proof of what you’ve learned. You can complete this by either writing a test, submitting a portfolio, or performing a demonstration. An expert will review your work to determine if it aligns with the course outcomes. If it does, you can earn credit without taking the course.

If you have earned credits at another college or university, you may be able to transfer those credits directly.

What is the difference between PLAR and credit transfer?

Ways You Can Acquire Post-Secondary Level Training

What types of experiences count for PLAR?

PLAR gives you credit for what you’ve learned through real-life experience, even if it didn’t happen in a classroom. This might include:

Work experience in any field (paid or unpaid).
Volunteering in your community, at school, or in non-profits organizations.
Military or public service experience including service in the regular force, reserves, or as an employee.
Caring for others, such as parenting, elder care, or supporting someone with a disability.
Running a business or freelance work.
On-the-job training, certifications, or workshops that you have completed.
Cultural or traditional learning from your community.
Independent study, like learning new technology or languages on your own, gaining certifications, creating a business, or leading an initiative.
Creative work, such as writing, design, or performance.
Travel or lived experience that helped you build skills or knowledge that are applicable to your future learning goals.

If you’ve gained skills, knowledge, or insight from any of these experiences and can show what you’ve learned, you may be eligible for PLAR. An advisor can help you decide if your experience is a good match for a course or program.

On-The-Job Training

Work Experience

Independent Study

Travel

Volunteer Activities

Military Service

Credits Through PLAR

You may be eligible to receive credit for up to 50% of a college bachelor’s degree or up to 75% of other college programs through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). The amount of credit awarded depends on the nature and extent of your prior learning and how well it aligns with the learning outcomes of your chosen program and/or courses.

Important: To graduate with a Fanshawe College credential, you must meet the college residency requirement, which means completing at least 25% of your program’s credit units at Fanshawe. Degree programs are also subject to requirements set by the Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB).

PLAR Assessment

Challenge Evaluation

Written exam
Oral exam
Project and/or presentation
Skill demonstration
Interview
Essay

Portfolio

Chronological and academic records
Life history paper
Goals paper
Educational plan
Learning outcomes or competency statements
Verification of learning (documentation)
Resumé

Note: Other modes of assessment may be used depending on the nature of the course.

Process, Steps, and Timelines

Step 1: Initial Inquiry

The learner contacts either their Academic School or the Advising Centre to ask about PLAR.
They receive general information about how PLAR works and help decide whether it is the right option for them.
When available, the Learner Guide and course outline are shared to help learners decide whether they want to continue.
If a Learner Guide does not exist for the course, the College recommends that the program create one.

Step 2: Discussion and Decision

The learner meets with both their Academic School and the Advising Centre to:

Discuss whether PLAR is suitable for the course,
Discuss the method of evaluation (for example, challenge exam or portfolio), and
Review the PLAR process and fee.
The College strongly encourages learners to speak with both areas before deciding.
If the learner decides to move forward, they must contact the Advising Centre to start the process.

Step 3: Payment and Eligibility

The Advisor adds the PLAR fee to the learner’s account and explains how to pay online or by phone.
Once the fee has been paid, the learner contacts the Advising Centre to confirm.
The Advisor then verifies the payment before the assessment begins.

Step 4: Assessment Process

Depending on the type of assessment, one of two paths is followed:

Challenge Exam

The Advisor notifies the Academic School that the learner is eligible to continue.
The Academic School and learner schedule the exam (time and location).
The Academic School grades the exam and informs both the learner and Advising Centre of the result.
If the learner was already enrolled in the course, the Academic School withdraws them from that course.

Portfolio

The Advisor provides the learner with the Parts of a Portfolio handout and explains how to submit their materials.
The learner prepares their portfolio and sends it to the Advising Centre by email.
The Advising Centre forwards the portfolio to the Academic School for evaluation.
The Academic School reviews the portfolio and notifies both the learner and Advising Centre of the result.
If the learner was already enrolled in the course, the Academic School withdraws them from that course.

Step 5: Recording Results and Follow-Up

The Advising Centre records the final grade on the learner’s academic record.
The Academic School follows up with the learner to discuss the outcome and next steps.

Timelines and Responsibilities

Before Course Start Date

Who	What to Do	When
Applicant (Not yet enrolled in the course or applying before the start date)	Submit PLAR application.	Any time before being accepted for the course. It’s best to apply early for future semester courses.
College	Confirm receipt of application and tell the applicant which assessment methods will be used (for example, exam or portfolio).	Within 5 business days.
Applicant	Complete and submit the assigned assessment (for example, challenge exam or portfolio).	Within 25 business days after the assessment has been assigned.
College	Review the assessment and share the final PLAR decision with the applicant.	Within 25 business days of receiving the completed assessment.
Appeal (Policy A128) Applicant	Submit Step 1 Notice of Appeal if not yet enrolled in the course for which PLAR is requested.	Within 7 business days from when the applicant became aware, or should have become aware, of the issue.
If the applicant wants to appeal under Appeal Policy A128	If enrolled in the course: Submit a Step 1 Notice of Appeal. If not enrolled at the College, contact the Academic School to start the process.	Within 7 business days from when the applicant became aware, or should have become aware, of the issue.

After the Course Starts

Who	What to Do	When
Student (Currently taking the course)	Submit a PLAR application.	By the 10th day of class. It’s best to apply early for future semester courses.
College	Confirm the application has been received and tell the student which assessment method(s) will be used.	Within 5 business days.
Student	Complete and submit the assigned assessment method(s).	Within 15 business days after the method has been assigned.
College	Review the assessment and share the final PLAR decision with the student.	Within 20 business days of receiving the completed assessment.
If appealing a decision (Policy A128)	Student: Submit a Step 1 Notice of Appeal.	Within 7 business days of finding out about the issue.

Apply For PLAR

Take the Readiness Quiz

PLAR Self-Assessment: Are You Ready?
Use this self-assessment to see if you might be a good fit for PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition). Answer each question honestly. There are no right or wrong answers!
Part 1: Your Learning Experience

Have you learned important skills through work, volunteering, or life experience (not in a classroom)?
- ☐ Yes
- ☐ No
- ☐ Not sure
Can you explain what you’ve learned and how you learned it?
- ☐ Yes
- ☐ Somewhat
- ☐ No
Does your learning relate to a course or program you're interested in?
- ☐ Yes
- ☐ Not sure
Have you received training (formal or informal) in this area?
- ☐ Yes
- ☐ Somewhat
- ☐ No

Part 2: Your Evidence and Comfort Level

Can you provide proof of your learning (like work samples, certificates, references, or a resumé)?
- ☐ Yes
- ☐ Maybe
- ☐ No
Are you comfortable writing about or talking through your learning experiences?
- ☐ Yes
- ☐ A little
- ☐ Not really
Are you confident in completing a written test, project, or skills demonstration?
- ☐ Yes
- ☐ It depends
- ☐ No
Do you have time to prepare and submit materials or complete an assessment?
- ☐ Yes
- ☐ Maybe
- ☐ No

What Your Answers Might Mean

Mostly "Yes": You may be a strong candidate for PLAR. Contact an advisor to take the next step.
Some "Yes" and some "Maybe": You might be ready! An advisor can help you explore your options.
Mostly "No": PLAR might not be the best fit right now, but our advising team can support you in other ways to achieve your goals.

Contact an Admissions and Pathways Advisor in the Advising Centre, by phone at 519-452-4277 or email at advising@fanshawec.ca.
The PLAR application fee is $105 per course. This fee applies to both the challenge evaluation and the portfolio assessment. The fee is non-refundable.
If you fail to prove that you have met the learning outcomes, you are not eligible for a refund. If you have paid for a challenge evaluation and then decide to take the course instead, you are not eligible for a refund. You should review the course material before deciding to complete a challenge evaluation.

Check out Fanshawe's Open Educational Resource on PLAR for detailed information on the PLAR process, timelines and PLAR resources for students.

PLAR Affecting OSAP

If your course load drops below that of a full-time student because of credits earned through PLAR, your eligibility for financial assistance through the Ontario Student Assistance Plan (OSAP) might be affected. PLAR candidates are encouraged to contact Financial Aid and Student Awards for questions about OSAP eligibility.

PLAR Learner Guide

A PLAR Learner Guide is a resource for candidates and students to help them decide whether they should move forward with a PLAR application. Learner Guides are developed for specific courses and contain general PLAR information, as well as detailed course information relevant for applicants wishing to PLAR the specific course.

Book an appointment with an Admissions and Pathways Advisor

International Students

International students are encouraged to consider any impact to their current study permit and working eligibility, or impacts to their future post-graduate work permit eligibility, if their course load drops below that of a full-time student because of credits earned through PLAR. Contact an Immigration Consultant at the International Centre to learn more.

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Chris Dennis

After 30+ years away from education, at 51, I decided to pursue post-secondary studies while working in Office Administration. Meeting with Fanshawe College's Registrar's Office, I was surprised to learn I could challenge up to 75% of courses through PLAR for a flat fee.

I enrolled in the one-year Office Administration program and successfully completed the maximum PLAR courses within 4 months. Living 2 hours from London, I was able to take tests at the nearby Fanshawe-Simcoe Campus.

From initial meeting to graduation in less than a year, the process was stress-free and enjoyable. The support staff and professors at both campuses were exceptional, confirming I chose the right college. The skills gained enhanced my job performance and helped me secure a promotion at work.

Office Administration Executive Certificate, Fanshawe College
PLAR

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)