AP Career Kickstart Credentials Overview

About AP Career Kickstart Courses

AP Career Kickstart (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  

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 Students Earn Credentials 

With a qualifying score on an AP CK exam, students demonstrate mastery of occupationally specific skills and earn a credential employers can trust.  

Students will:  

1. Enroll in an AP CK course taught by a trained teacher 
2. Receive hands-on, career-connected learning and develop technical and professional skills such as communication and problem-solving  
3. Complete a course project  
4. Take an end-of-course exam 
5. Earn an employer-endorsed credential if they achieve a qualifying score on the exam, demonstrating mastery of essential technical and/or professional skills 
6. Have the opportunity to take a second course to earn another employer-endorsed credential and deepen their learning in the field 

What Students Can Do with Credentials 

Students can leverage AP CK credentials in all their efforts to further their post-graduation plans.

• For students who are considering moving directly to employment after graduation, credentials can support their applications to internships, apprenticeships, and part- and full-time employment. 
• For students who plan to go on to higher education after graduation, 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. 

Industry and Higher Education Involvement  

AP CK courses and credentials are designed with faculty and industry experts to ensure that AP CK credentials align with the needs and expectations of industry and higher education.