How long it takes you to get to an excellent credit score depends on many factors, whether you're just starting your credit history, whether you're starting from a poor credit score, whether you're recovering from bankruptcy, and more. Unfortunately, it's a long process that can take several years, but you'll notice changes almost as soon as you start behaving as a responsible cardholder. Pay your debts on time, don't carry a balance, keep your credit utilization low, don't apply for multiple lines of credit at the same time, keep your credit accounts open even if you're not using them.