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  5. Enroll in a Class

Enroll in a Class

Students can enroll, or register, for classes in ctcLink on their own. This page provides instructions on how to enroll in ctcLink, both HCX and classic versions. For more information about registering for classes, navigating the Student Center, understanding class search and enrollment tools, and planning for upcoming quarters, contact the registration or advising office at your college.

Before you start:

  1. Check the Academic Calendar to see when registration begins each quarter. Approved veterans, military, and dependents may be eligible for early registration, usually the Friday before registration for current students begins. Contact your Veterans Affairs & Benefits Specialist for more information.
  2. Confirm your enrollment date before registration opens. Current students may register anytime on or after their enrollment appointment date. New students do not have an assigned enrollment appointment and enroll during the new student registration period. See the Academic Calendar for the new student registration date.
ctcLink mobile navigation menu with a pink arrow pointing to Class Search in the expanded Class Information menu.

 

  1. Log in to ctcLink from the Class Schedule (the login icon is at the bottom left).
  2. Click Class Information in the left navigation menu.
  3. Select Class Search to search for a class by Term, Subject, Keyword, Class Number, Instructor Last Name, Time, Days, Instruction Mode, and other many other criteria. Click More Filters to see all available filters.
    1. Use the "Subject Begins with" filter and type in the two-to-five character subject to see ALL classes for subjects that have Common Course Numbering (CCN) and non-CCN courses. Find more information about Common Course Numbering.
    2. Students can search for classes with textbook costs of less than $50 (Low-Cost Textbooks), or classes using free, no cost, Open Educational Resources (OER: No Textbook to Purchase). To find these classes, select these options in both the Course Attribute and Course Attribute Value filters: Low-Cost Textbooks and OER: No Textbook to Purchase.
  4. Check the Show Open Classes Only box to show classes that still have seats open. Don't check this box if you want to be able to add yourself to a class Waitlist.
  5. Once you've set all your filters, click Search.

 

Screenshot of expanded Class Information with pink arrows pointing to Enrollment Requirements section, Add to Cart button, and Enroll button.

 

  1. Review the course/class options. Pay attention to the Section name: LEC = lecture, LAB = Laboratory/Studio.
  2. Click on the class section to see important information, including special registration instructions, prerequisites (enrollment requirements), class notes, and textbook information.
  3. Pay special attention to the Enrollment Requirements section, which will list general prerequisites for the course and any specific requirements for the specific section. Some classes require you to enroll in two courses at the same time, so you must add both to your Shopping Cart (click Add to Cart) and then enroll from your Shopping Cart.
  4. If you would like to enroll in the class now, click Enroll. You can also click Add to Cart to enroll in all your selected classes at the same time from your Shopping Cart.
  5. Once you click Enroll (from this page or the Shopping Cart), you may be prompted to choose a Lab/Studio section. If so, check the option button next to your preferred Lab/Studio section and click Continue.

Screenshot of Related Classes

Screenshot of Enrollment options with pink arrows pointing to waitlist box, permission number box, and Save button.

  1. In the Enrollment Options pop-up page, enter a permission number if you need one, check the Waitlist if class is full box if you're trying to add yourself to a waitlist. Note that the permission number box is there by default. If you're not sure if you need one, just move to the next step. The system will alert you if a permission number is needed.
  2. Click Save.
  3. The Enrollment Results pop-up page tells you whether or not you were enrolled in the class, waitlisted (with your waitlist position), or were unable to enroll. If you were unable to enroll, review the additional information below the error message.
  4. Click Ok.

 

Screenshot of Enrollment Results, Added to your schedule result.

 

Screenshot of Enrollment Results, Added to your schedule but waitisted result.

 

Screenshot of Enrollment Results, Error result.

 

To see all the classes on your schedule, including Waitlisted classes and your waitlist position, select Schedule from the left navigation menu and choose List View from the view options at the top of the page.

Screenshot of Schedule page with enrolled and waitlisted classes.

 

Review the ctcLink Reference Center for these related topics:

 

  1. Log in to ctcLink on a desktop computer.
  2. If you are or have been a student at more than one WA state community or technical college, choose the college at which you would like to enroll.
  3. Click Student Homepage.
  4. Click the Manage Classes tile.

Screenshot of the ctcLink Student Homepage with a pink arrow pointing to the Manage Classes tile.

  1. Click Class Search and Enroll from the left navigation menu.
  2. Choose the Term and College. You will need scroll.

 

Screenshot with a pink arrow pointing to "Search Class and Enroll" on the left with another pink arrow pointing to a selected college and term on the right.

 

  1. Use the Keyword Search or use Additional ways to search option.
  2. Use the additional filters on the left to narrow your search as needed, then click on the course to show the available classes.

 

Screenshot with a pink arrow pointing to the assorted filtering options on the left side of the screen.

 

  1. Use the class hyperlinks to view additional class details and information.
  2. Once you've decided which class best fits your schedule, click the arrow on the right of the class section to start the enrollment steps.

 

Screenshot of a class selection screen with a pink arrow pointing to the chosen class details and another pink arrow pointing to the button to select it.

 

  1. Review your class selection and click Next.

     

Screenshot of the Review Class Selection screen with a pink arrow pointing to the class being reviewed.

  1. In Review Class Preferences step,
    1. Indicate it you want to enroll or add to shopping cart.
    2. Adjust your waitlist preference.
    3. Enter a permission number here if you have one. If you're not sure you need one, just keep going.
    4. Click Accept.

Screenshot of the Review Class Preferences screen with pink arrows highlighting the enroll, waitlist, and accept options.

  1. Review your selection. If you need to make a change, click the Previous button at the top right. If everything looks good, click Submit.

 

Screenshot of the Review and Submit screen with a pink arrow pointing to the Submit button in the upper right.

 

  1. The Confirmation page tells you whether or not you were enrolled in the class, waitlisted (with your waitlist position), or unable to enroll. If you were unable to enroll, review the additional information next to the error message.

 

Screenshot showing the error view that appears is there was a problem in the previous screens or selections.

 

 

Review the ctcLink Reference Center for these related topics:

 

 

In addition to the guides and resources on this page, the ctcLink Reference Center's Student Homepage has guides for all WA state community and technical college students.

 

Last updated 4/2/2026