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LEGISLATURE OF NEBRASKA
ONE HUNDRED NINTH LEGISLATURE
SECOND SESSION
LEGISLATIVE BILL 1164
Introduced by Lonowski, 33; Juarez, 5; Lippincott, 34; Meyer, G., 17.
Read first time January 20, 2026
Committee: Education
A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to postsecondary education; to adopt the Prior1
Learning Act. 2
Be it enacted by the people of the State of Nebraska,3
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Section 1. Sections 1 to 6 of this act shall be known and may be1
cited as the Prior Learning Act. 2
Sec. 2. For purposes of the Prior Learning Act:3
(1) Commission means the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary4
Education; 5
(2) Cut score means the minimum score an individual is required to6
achieve on a prior learning examination to receive postsecondary credit7
from a Nebraska public postsecondary institution; 8
(3) Nebraska public postsecondary institution has the same meaning9
as in section 85-2403; and 10
(4) Prior learning examination means a postsecondary level11
examination approved by the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary12
Education pursuant to section 3 of this act to assess whether a student,13
prior to taking a postsecondary course, has already obtained knowledge14
and skills at a level substantially similar to what is expected from a15
student who has successfully completed a postsecondary course on the same16
subject. 17
Sec. 3. (1) On or before September 1, 2026, the commission shall18
approve a list of prior learning examinations and the cut score for each19
such examination. The list shall include commonly recognized prior20
learning examinations, including, but not limited to:21
(a) Prior learning examinations that are associated with22
participation in high school courses specifically designed to prepare23
students for such examinations; 24
(b) Prior learning examinations that are associated with25
participation in high school courses using international curriculum26
frameworks; and 27
(c) Prior learning examinations that are not associated with high28
school courses endorsed by the provider of the prior learning29
examination. 30
(2) The commission shall set cut scores in a manner consistent with31
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national practices and shall consult recommendations for such cut scores1
contained in any comprehensive guide maintained by a national2
organization recognized for expertise on the topic of appropriate cut3
scores for prior learning examinations in the context of awarding4
postsecondary academic credit. 5
(3) The commission shall update the list of prior learning6
examinations and cut scores as necessary to provide options for students7
while maintaining the academic integrity of the Nebraska public8
postsecondary institutions. 9
(4) The commission shall post and maintain the list of prior10
learning examinations and cut scores on the commission's website in a11
location accessible to prospective postsecondary students and families.12
Sec. 4. (1) On or before October 1, 2026, each Nebraska public13
postsecondary institution shall develop and implement written policies14
and procedures for awarding academic credit based on prior learning15
examinations. The policies and procedures shall: 16
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, award academic17
credit to students for each distinct prior learning examination for which18
the student met or exceeded the cut score; 19
(b) Prioritize application of credit toward courses that meet20
general education, major, or degree requirements over application of21
credit towards courses that are elective for the student;22
(c) Establish the process through which credits awarded under this23
section shall be recorded on transcripts and transferred to other24
Nebraska public postsecondary institutions; and 25
(d) Ensure that policies and procedures are publicly posted on the26
institution's website in a location accessible to prospective students27
and families. 28
(2) With approval from the commission, a Nebraska public29
postsecondary institution may require a higher minimum score than the cut30
score approved by the commission pursuant to section 3 of this act if the31
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chief academic officer of such institution determines, based on evidence1
of student performance or course success rates, that a higher score is2
necessary for success in a specific course or sequence. Such3
justification shall be documented and submitted to the commission as part4
of the request for commission approval of the higher minimum score.5
(3) On or before October 15, 2026, each Nebraska public6
postsecondary institution shall submit its policies and procedures7
adopted under this section to the commission. The commission shall8
compile all such policies and procedures and post a statewide summary on9
the commission's website, including the justification for any higher10
minimum score requirements approved by the commission pursuant to11
subsection (2) of this section. 12
Sec. 5. (1) On or before December 31, 2027, and on or before13
December 31 of each year thereafter, each Nebraska public postsecondary14
institution shall submit an annual report to the commission including:15
(a) The number of students awarded academic credit based on prior16
learning examinations during the preceding academic year;17
(b) The total number of academic credits awarded based on prior18
learning examinations; 19
(c) For students who graduate from the institution, the number of20
such credits applied toward: 21
(i) General education; 22
(ii) Major or degree program requirements; and23
(iii) Elective credit; and 24
(d) Any additional information the commission determines necessary25
to assess the implementation and impact of this act.26
(2) The Commission shall annually compile the reports received under27
subsection (1) of this section and electronically submit a summary to the28
Education Committee of the Legislature and make such summary publicly29
available on the commission's website. 30
Sec. 6. The commission may adopt and promulgate rules and31
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regulations as necessary to carry out the Prior Learning Act.1
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