Meet Madison for a student's perspective on Running Start
Meet Joelyne for a parent's perspective on Running Start
What is Running Start?
Running Start is a Washington State program that lets high school juniors and seniors take college classes and earn both high school and college credit at the same time.
At Clover Park Technical College, Running Start students can choose from hands-on career training programs and general education courses. Classes may be on campus or online, depending on the course.
Running Start students are full college students. You'll have access to college instructors, program counselors, student support services, and student life activities.
Some career programs even allow students to earn an associate degree while completing their high school diploma. Talk with our Running Start Coordinator to see if this option is right for you.
Who is Eligible for Running Start?
- 11th and 12th grade students, as determined by the local public school district, charter school or tribal compact school, have a right granted by the Legislature to participate in Running Start.
- Running Start students are held to the same expectations as all other college students. Attendance, participation, behavior and quality of work must meet college standards.
What is the Cost?
- Running Start students and their families do not pay tuition up to the maximum credit approved by your high school.
- Students are responsible for mandatory fees, program fees, tools, laboratory fees, consumables, books, transportation, and tuition charges above the maximum credit approved.
- Some programs have higher tuition, program lab, tool and supply costs that may not be covered by Running Start. Students are responsible for these expenses. We encourage you to review the program's fee list.
- Students must pay their responsible tuition and fees by the college's deadline.
- Students who qualify for free or reduced-priced lunch (or meet other income requirements) may be eligible for the waiver.
Contact Us
- Email: runningstart@cptc.edu
- Call: 253-589-5548
Join our Q&A Session
Running Start Q&A Zoom
- Zoom link: https://cptc-edu.zoom.us/j/8918207872
- Upcoming Dates:
- Wednesday, March 25 @ 4pm
- Wednesday, April 1 @ 4pm
- Wednesday, April 29 @ 4pm
How to Get Started
The first step in enrolling as a Running Start student is to begin exploring to see if this is the right option for you.
NEW STUDENT APPLICATION DATES (for students wanting to start in Summer and/or Fall Quarters)
| SUMMER QUARTER | FALL QUARTER | |
| RUNNING START DEADLINE TO APPLY TO CPTC | June 3, 2026 (4 weeks prior to quarter start) *apply by April 27 to receive priority registration date | August 31, 2026 (4 weeks prior to quarter start) *apply by April 27 to receive priority registration date |
| ATTEND MANDATORY RUNNING START ON-BOARDING SESSION (VIRTUAL) | April 7, 2026, 5:00pm April 13, 206, 5:00pm June 3, 2026, 5:00pm | April 7, 2026, 5:00pm April 13, 2026, 5:00pm June 3, 2026, 5:00pm Sept 1, 2026, 5:00pm Sept 22, 2026, 5:00pm |
| EVF DUE DATE | May 4, 2026* | May 4, 2026* |
| PRIORITY REGISTRATION DATE | May 11, 2026, 1:00pm | May 11, 2026, 1:00pm |
| NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION | June 16, 2026, 9:00am-12:00pm | Sept 24, 2026, 9:00am-12:00pm |
| FEES DUE | June 17, 2026 | Sept 14, 2026 |
| FIRST DAY OF QUARTER | July 1, 2026 | Sept 28, 2026 |
| LAST DAY TO ADD CLASSES WITHOUT INSTRUCTOR PERMISSION & LAST DAY TO GET ENROLLED FROM THE WAIT-LIST | July 2, 2026 | Sept 29, 2026 |
*EVF must be submitted by this due date to receive the Running Start priority registration date. EVFs submitted after this date will be processed in the order received. Registration holds will remain on student accounts until all paperwork is correctly submitted and processed.
Running Start Q&A Information Sessions are offered select Wednesdays virtually on Zoom @ 4:00-4:30pm. Please see the "Join our Q&A Session" section of this webpage for current dates.
- Watch the Running Start Information Video before attending the Q&A Session [coming soon!].
- Join the zoom Q&A Sessions to get general questions answered (both students & parents encouraged to attend).
- Also consider attending a Program Information Session with Instructors that highlight specifics about a particular program you may be interested in.
- Attendance at a Program Information Session is mandatory for the following programs: Cosmetology, Esthetic Sciences, Professional Pilot and Human Services.
Even if you haven’t decided if Running Start at CPTC is right for you, let us know of your interest so we can send you more information about what we offer.
- Complete Running Start Interest Survey which will include gathering information such as High School, grade, contact information, etc.
The application is free and does not obligate you to attend. It can take 3-5 business days to process so it’s good to get this process started if you are at all considering attending CPTC. You will not be able schedule an appointment with the Running Start Counselor until you have been admitted to the school and have a Student ID Number.
- Apply to CPTC: https://apply.ctc.edu/user.
- Look for a welcome email admitting you to the college within 3-5 business days of applying.
You must meet with your High School Counselor letting them know of your interest in doing Running Start at CPTC. They will provide you with the information you need about which classes will be eligible for dual credit and will need to sign your EVF form.
- Running Start Dual Enrollment Disclaimer Form (PDF)
- Running Start Enrollment Verification Form Digital Signature 2025-2026 (PDF)
- Running Start Enrollment Verification Form Digital Signature SUMMER 2026 (PDF)
- Summer Running Start Assurances for Delaying Graduation (PDF) - For seniors who may be eligible to delay their high school graduation in order to take summer courses through Running Start. Students should speak with both their high school counselor and Running Start counselor to verify eligibility.
- Running Start Highschool Equivalency Guides
- You must submit all paperwork before the Enrollment Hold can be removed from your account.
- All signatures will need to be on the EVF form: counselor, student & parent/guardian.
- Running Start Dual Enrollment Disclaimer Form (PDF)
- Running Start Enrollment Verification Form Digital Signature 2025-2026 (PDF)
- Running Start Enrollment Verification Form Digital Signature SUMMER 2026 (PDF)
- Summer Running Start Assurances for Delaying Graduation (PDF) - For seniors who may be eligible to delay their high school graduation in order to take summer courses through Running Start. Students should speak with both their high school counselor and Running Start counselor to verify eligibility.
- Onboarding Zoom Link: https://cptc-edu.zoom.us/j/8918207872
- Upcoming Running Start Onboarding Sessions:
- Tuesday, April 7 @ 5:00pm
- Monday, April 13 @ 5:00pm
- Wednesday, June 3 @ 5:00pm
- Tuesday, September 1 @ 5:00pm
- Tuesday, September 22 @ 5:00pm
- Note: Students must attend one Onboarding Session before they are allowed to register for classes.
- Before the session, you should Activate your ctcLink account and watch the Registration Video.
- Review a Program Map online for your program of interest to see possible classes.
- Confirm Registration date & time.
- Add classes to Cart and register.
- Make a plan to pay for fees & books (Running Start only covers the cost of tuition)
- Register for New Student Orientation
- Set up CPTC Email account (48 hours after registering)
- Set up Canvas account (requires CPTC email)
- Know your first day of classes
High-Demand Program Notice:
Enrollment into high-demand programs may take several quarters (even up to a year or more), and because enrollment cannot be guaranteed, Running Start students in certain programs may be advised to earn their high school diploma through their high school while completing college coursework at CPTC. These programs include:
- Professional Pilot
- Aviation Maintenance Technician
- Cosmetology
- Esthetics
Eligible Programs:
- Accounting
- Architectural Engineering Design
- Associate of Pre-Nursing
- Automotive Technician
- Automotive Collision Technician
- Aviation Maintenance Technician
- Central Service/Sterile Processing (must be at least 17 ½ to enroll)
- Construction Technology
- Computer Programming
- Cosmetology
- Culinary Arts
- Digital Entertainment and Design
- Early Care & Education (evening availability)
- Electrician Low Voltage Fire/Security
- Environmental Science
- Esthetic Sciences
- Graphic Design Technology
- Health Unit Coordinator (must be at least 17 ½ to begin)
- Heating & Air Conditioning Refrigeration/Service Technician
- Interior Design
- Manufacturing Technologies
- Massage Studies (must be at least 17 ½ to begin)
- Mechatronics
- Network Operations & Systems Security
- Non-Destructive Testing
- Nursing Assistant Certificate
- Pastry Arts
- Pharmacy Technician
- Professional Pilot (must be at least 16 ½ to begin)
- Retail Business Management (online only)
- Welding (evening availability)