Customarily, the eligible faculty member will submit a portfolio that summarizes their service for the past five years. The college looks at demonstrated teaching ability, creative achievement, academic integrity and professional service to the College. Every year the CCC-AAUP hosts a workshop at each campus and discusses tenure at length with those in the track. Examples of recent tenure portfolios are usually brought for reference.

If an eligible faculty member does not receive tenure after applying, then the college provides a written statement which includes the reason for the rejection in tenure. An appeal can be made to the decision with the help of the CCC-AAUP. Some decisions in the past have been reversed after appeal. The College President and one or two CCC Trustees serve on the appeal panel. If an appeal is denied, the faculty member will receive in most cases a one-year terminal contract.

Tenure-track instructional faculty, counselors, and librarians are eligible for tenure. All tenure-track faculty shall become eligible for tenure after five (5) years of service to the College during which they have served over 50% of their annual contractual time in a teaching capacity. Teaching capacity is defined by the College as: classroom instruction, college librarian or counseling. For example, if one was hired and started at the beginning of Fall 2005, they would submit the materials necessary to apply for tenure at the end of Fall 2009. If the applicant meets the criteria of demonstrated teaching ability, creative achievement, academic integrity and professional service to the College and to the community, then the award of tenure is granted with their next faculty contract Fall 2010.