Nursing school prerequisites typically include a set of science courses, general education classes, a minimum GPA, and a standardized entrance exam. The exact requirements vary depending on whether you’re pursuing an LPN certificate, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree in nursing, but the core science courses overlap significantly across programs.
Science Courses You’ll Need
Science prerequisites form the backbone of any nursing program application. Nearly every program requires two semesters of anatomy and physiology (typically 4 credits each), a microbiology course (4 credits), and at least one chemistry course (4 credits). These courses almost always include a lab component, so expect to spend extra hours each week doing hands-on work alongside the lectures.
Anatomy and physiology are the most universally required courses. You’ll take them in sequence: the first covers the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and nervous systems, while the second focuses on the endocrine, digestive, and reproductive systems. Many programs won’t let you start the second until you’ve passed the first with a C or higher. Microbiology, which covers bacteria, viruses, and infection control, rounds out the science trio. Some programs also require a general biology course as a foundation before you take any of these.
General Education and Math Requirements
Beyond the sciences, nursing programs require several general education courses. Common prerequisites include English composition, statistics, nutrition, sociology or psychology, and lifespan development (a course covering human growth from infancy through old age).
Statistics is the math requirement for most nursing programs, typically a 3-credit course covering data interpretation, probability, and basic research methods. You won’t need calculus. Nutrition is another frequent requirement because understanding diet and metabolism is central to patient care. Some programs also require a course in psychology or sociology to build a foundation for understanding how patients think, cope, and interact within families and communities.
GPA Expectations
Most BSN programs set a minimum cumulative GPA of around 2.5 to 2.75, but meeting the minimum rarely gets you in. At East Carolina University, for example, the minimum is 2.75, but the average GPA of admitted students consistently lands at 3.4 or higher. This gap between the floor and the competitive range is typical across nursing programs nationwide.
Your science GPA often carries extra weight. Many programs calculate it separately from your overall GPA, and a strong performance in anatomy, physiology, and microbiology can set you apart even if your cumulative GPA is slightly lower. Programs generally require a minimum grade of C in each prerequisite course, though earning a B or higher is far more competitive. Retaking a prerequisite to improve a grade is common, but some schools limit how many times you can repeat a course and still have it count.
Entrance Exams: TEAS and HESI
Most nursing programs require a standardized entrance exam, and the two dominant options are the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) and the HESI A2 (Health Education Systems Incorporated Admission Assessment). Some schools require one specifically, while others let you choose.
The TEAS covers four areas: reading, math, science (including anatomy, physiology, and biology), and English language usage. It’s scored as a percentage, and many programs set the passing threshold around 78%. The HESI A2 tests a broader range of subjects: anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, grammar, math, physics, reading comprehension, and vocabulary. Passing scores for the HESI typically start at around 80%.
Both exams are designed to measure whether you’re academically prepared for the rigor of a nursing curriculum. Studying for them after you’ve completed your science prerequisites gives you a significant advantage, since much of the content overlaps with your coursework. Most students spend four to eight weeks preparing with a dedicated study guide or prep course.
How Requirements Differ by Program Type
The path you choose determines how many prerequisites you’ll need to complete before starting.
- LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse): These programs have the fewest prerequisites. LPN candidates complete a state-approved training program, usually at a community college, that runs about 12 months. A high school diploma or GED is the primary requirement. Some programs ask for basic biology or anatomy, but many build these into the curriculum rather than requiring them upfront.
- ADN or ASN (Associate Degree in Nursing): Associate programs typically require anatomy and physiology, microbiology, English composition, and sometimes statistics or psychology. These are two-year programs offered at community colleges, and you can become a registered nurse (RN) upon passing the licensing exam.
- BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing): BSN programs have the most extensive prerequisite lists, including all the science courses plus additional general education requirements like nutrition, lifespan development, sociology, and statistics. These four-year programs are offered at universities and are increasingly preferred by hospitals.
- ABSN (Accelerated BSN): Designed for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, accelerated programs compress the nursing curriculum into 12 to 18 months. You’ll still need the same science and general education prerequisites, but your prior degree may already cover some of them.
Application Timing
Nursing programs typically operate on structured admissions cycles, and most require that your prerequisites be completed (or nearly completed) before you apply. Fall-start programs commonly have deadlines in January or early spring, while spring-start programs often set deadlines around October. Some schools offer early decision deadlines in November for the following fall, with priority deadlines in January.
Planning backward from these deadlines is important. If you need to complete four or five prerequisite courses and can only take two per semester, you’re looking at a year or more of preparation before you even submit your application. Many students underestimate this timeline. Starting your prerequisites as early as possible, even while you’re still exploring nursing as a career, gives you the most flexibility.
Additional Requirements to Expect
Beyond coursework and test scores, nursing programs often require a few additional items. A background check and drug screening are standard because you’ll be working with patients during clinical rotations. Most programs also require proof of current immunizations, including hepatitis B, MMR, and a tuberculosis screening.
CPR certification (specifically BLS, or Basic Life Support, for healthcare providers) is required by many programs either at admission or before clinical rotations begin. Some programs recommend or require healthcare experience, such as working as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) or volunteering in a clinical setting, though this is more common at competitive BSN programs than at ADN or LPN programs.
International applicants and non-native English speakers should expect an English proficiency requirement. The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is the most commonly accepted exam, and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing has recommended a minimum passing standard for entry-level nursing practice. Check your specific program for its required score, as thresholds vary.