Credit by

Demonstrated Mastery

Credit by Demonstrated Mastery (CDM) is a statewide policy allowing a student to receive credit for high school courses without completing the traditional seat-time requirement.

CDM is currently available for the following courses:

  • English 10

  • Math 1

  • Math 2

  • Math 3

  • Biology

  • Spanish.

CDM is open to all high school students. Middle school students may attempt CDM for any courses listed above that are offered in their middle school.


The CDM application is linked at the bottom of this webpage. The form may be printed from the list of attachments below or obtained from your school counselor. In preparation for annual state testing requirements, CDM applications are due in advance of the available state testing windows as follows:

  • Fall semester applications are due the first Friday in September

  • Spring semester applications are due the first Friday in February

  • Summer applications are due the first Friday in July


CDM dates for 2022-2023 date are as follows:

  • Fall 2022-September 19-30, 2022

  • Spring 2023-February 15-31, 2023

  • Summer 20223-July 18-31, 2023


The general guidelines from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) may be reviewed at the public website linked here. The general steps in the CDM sequence are indicated below.

The CDM process recognizes that individual students may have gained a deep understanding of certain subjects outside of regular classroom instruction. CDM allows the student with exceptional course content mastery to earn credit and move on to the next sequential course or other high school content of interest.

Feedback collected from teachers and parents during our initial year of CDM implementation was used to create a summary document of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). This "CDM FAQs Chatham County" document is included with the attached resources and files below.

The CDM application form may be printed from the list of attachments below or obtained from your school counselor.

CDM.StudentFamilyAgreement.docx