Thank you for choosing Bellingham Technical College, we are excited to work alongside you to achieve your goals!
Follow the Admissions Steps below, or use the BTC Admissions Checklist as a printable guide. To be eligible to register for classes, admissions steps one, two and three need to be completed.
If you are a Veteran, International Student, Transfer student, Undocumented, L&I or Running Start student, be sure to check the Student Types page for additional information.
Submit an online application through the Online Admissions Application Portal Link. Once you create and log into your account, please select the following from the application homepage dropdown menus:
There are two Baccalaureate-programs; Engineering Technology BAS and Operations Management BAS.
There are two Academic degree-program options; Business DTA/MRP, and Pre-Nursing DTA/MRP (general education courses transferable to a nursing degree program; students interested in our Nursing degree program should select Professional Technical/Assoc in Nursing DTA/MRP). Please refer to our program webpages for more information.
Within 10-14 business days of submitting your application, you will receive your 'Welcome to BTC' email with your assigned student identification number (ctcLink ID). Sometimes this email can be sent to your junk/spam folders, so be sure to check there too!
Visit the Explore Financial Aid page for more information.
Once you have applied to BTC, you are now ready for step two; assessing your starting point. Degree or certificate seeking students need to determine their math and English starting points. Some programs require certain placement scores or entry requirements before starting program classes. View your program or certificate entry requirements on the Degrees & Certificates pages.
Before a new student meets with a College Navigator for a mandatory GET Started advising appointment to enroll in classes, they need to have achieved placement. To enroll in degree programs at BTC, both an English and math placement are required. There are multiple methods for a new student to assess their starting point at BTC. They may use one or more of the following:
Guided Self-Placement (GSP) consists of online English and Math assessments. They define and demonstrate requirements that are specific to the different courses in which a student can place. Guided self-placement is intended to support students to be successful in their coursework. It is designed to help them make an informed choice about which level of classes are most appropriate to start. The assessments are free, and can be accessed online at any time.
Guided Self-Placement English and math Assessments:
Official transcripts/scores must be sent directly from the institution to BTC: Electronically via Transcripts@btc.edu or by mail to BTC Admissions & Advising, 3028 Lindbergh Ave, Bellingham WA 98225
*You must have an application to BTC on file for your transcript to be evaluated
Now that you have completed Admissions Steps one and two, you are now ready for a GET Started appointment! Students will attend a mandatory GET Started appointment with an Admissions & Advising staff member. In the GET Started appointment, you will navigate your Goals, create an Education Plan, become Tech Ready and register for classes.
To schedule your GET Started appointment, please fill out the appointment request form , and an Admissions & Advising staff member will contact you.
Important Notes:
We are currently offering appointments by phone, Zoom or in person. If you schedule the GET Started appointment over the phone, you will still need a laptop/computer with internet access. In person appointments available Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admissions Steps one and two must be completed prior to scheduling the appointment.
If you are receiving L & I benefits, need accommodations, or you cannot attend a GET Started appointment before the quarter begins, please contact Admissions & Advising at 360.752.8345.
If you have questions about the GET Started appointment please contact Admissions & Advising office 360.752.8345 or Admissions@btc.edu.
You are considered officially enrolled when your tuition and fees are paid in-full. Tuition and fees are due in-full by the date indicated on the College Calendar. Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice. To view current tuition and fee rates, please visit Tuition, Fees, Rates & Costs.
Pay online with a Visa or MasterCard credit (not debit) card, or pay at the Cashier window, located on the main floor of the College Services (CS) building, where you may use cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, or financial aid award.
A photo ID or student ID card is required for some registration transactions.
Student ID cards are available, at no cost, in the Student Center - CC 300 (3rd floor, Campus Center building). Please bring photo ID during normal business hours.
Your Student ID qualifies you for discounts on Whatcom Transit Authority (WTA) bus passes and at many local vendors, plus access to the Western Washington University and Whatcom Community College libraries.
Find textbook lists or take your printed class schedule to the Campus Store, located in the Campus Center (CC) building. Tip: We do NOT recommend purchasing texts for any other quarter than the current one in which you are registered.
If you are taking any online or hybrid classes, be sure to setup and check your BTC email for instructions on how to access your classes. To setup your email and explore your online classes, please visit the Student Links page.