Is the TEAS Exam Required for All Nursing Programs? Everything Applicants Need to Know (2026 Guide)

Is the TEAS exam required for nursing school? The short answer is no, not all nursing schools require you to take the TEAS exam for admission.

However, in order to assess applicant competence, 75–80% of competitive ADN and BSN programs require the TEAS exam for nursing school. Most nursing schools that do not require TEAS ask the candidates to take the “HESI A2 exam” instead. They also increase the nursing school GPA requirements.
Therefore, when candidates ask, “Is the TEAS exam required for nursing school?” there is not a single universal answer. Different institutes have different test requirements.

In this guide, we will cover which nursing programs require the TEAS exam, which exceptions are there, and a comparison between HESI A2 and TEAS.

You can also check our guide on an overview of the TEAS exam to get further information about the test.

Which Types of Nursing Programs Require the TEAS?

Do all nursing programs require an entrance exam?The answer depends on the program type. Understanding how different nursing programs require the TEAS helps you plan better, since the TEAS is the most common test used. Here’s a simple breakdown by program.

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Programs

ADN programs almost always need entrance exams, particularly the TEAS. These two-year schools receive thousands of applications each year and rely mostly on standardized testing to objectively filter candidates. Because ADN programs serve as entry points for many nursing occupations and are located in community colleges that serve vast geographic areas, nursing programs require the TEAS to effectively manage competition. Applicants lacking high TEAS scores suffer considerable disadvantages during the selection process, since these programs usually use points-based ranking systems in which test scores account for 40-60% of the total evaluation.

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Programs

Public institutions that offer BSN programs frequently include the ATI TEAS exam in their admissions criteria, and scores are used to rank candidates competitively. While some elite private institutions have holistic evaluation processes that may lessen the test’s weight, most public colleges, especially those with high applicant levels, require TEAS submission as a prerequisite for consideration. The BSN path is becoming more competitive, and nursing programs require the TEAS to set consistent benchmarks across varied educational backgrounds.

For more information on colleges that accept these qualifications, see our guide on universities that accept the TEAS.

• Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) Programs

These programs usually use the TEAS Allied Health version instead of the standard nursing-focused exam. The content of these programs is slightly different than the TEAS as they are more focused on practical clinical competence.

Schools That Do NOT Require TEAS (Exceptions & Waivers)

Most of the programs require TEAS, but there are also some schools that do not require TEAS and offer alternative waivers and exceptions.

• High GPA Waivers

There are certain programs, especially private nursing schools, that offer a TEAS exam waiver if the student’s prerequisite GPA is 3.8 or above.

• RN-to-BSN Programs

Entrance exam requirements are uncommon for licensed nurses pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree. Schools accept a valid RN license as adequate proof of nursing ability if a nurse has passed the NCLEX-RN. Because the prior licensure exam previously verified clinical knowledge, TEAS exam waiver rules are automatically applied to RN-to-BSN candidates.

• Holistic Admissions

Essays, interviews, volunteer work, and personal narratives are prioritized above standardized testing at several expensive private nursing schools. These educational establishments advocate for schools that do not require TEAS as student-centered alternatives to comprehensive public programs. In order to make up for the lack of standardized exam data, applicants should be aware that these programs usually have much higher tuition costs and may have higher required nursing school GPA requirements.

If you want to learn more, you should check out this guide about understanding different nursing program requirements.

TEAS vs. HESI A2: If It’s Not TEAS, It’s Probably This

If you want to avoid the TEAS exam required for nursing school, then you will have to take the HESI A2 instead. Here are some of the differences that you need to understand before you make your decision.

Key Differences

The TEAS vs. HESI A2 main difference is that they both cover different subjects. In the TEAS exam, you need to answer questions related to reading comprehension, science, math, and English. The HESI A2, however, puts more emphasis on anatomy and physiology.

When doing a TEAS vs. HESI A2 comparison, the HESI arithmetic and anatomy sections are difficult, and in TEAS, the reading section is difficult.

Advice

Applicantsshould confirm the specific test their target school requires before they start the preparation. There are a small number of schools that offer theKaplan nursing entrance exam as well.

You can also check this HESI vs TEAS comparison if you need more information.

Why You Should Take the TEAS Even If It’s Not “Mandatory”: Benefits of taking the TEAS

Even if taking the TEAS has not been made mandatory by your program, you should still take the exam because of the following benefits.

• Application Volume Advantage

When candidates submit their applications to various nursing schools, they increase the chances of getting admission. So, when you apply to nursing school, don’t depend on only one. Many candidates use this nursing school application strategy and improve their chances of admission.

• Scholarship

If you achieve high scores in the exam, then you can get a merit-based scholarship from a nursing school. This helps to reduce the cost of expensive nursing studies.

• NCLEX-RN Preparation

NCLEX-RN success is strongly correlated with TEAS results. You are more likely to pass the test on your first attempt if you perform well on the TEAS.

Here you can see some success stories of high scorers in the exam.

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How to Verify Nursing Admission Requirements (Step-by-Step)

Here’s how you can verify nursing admission requirements.

Step 1: Go to the nursing program’s official website that has an “.edu” on it. There, you will find the admission section, so check the prerequisites document for it.

Step 2: Check the application packet of the current year, which is usually in PDF form. You can check TEAS requirements through this PDF.

You can also review TEAS exam costs and registration so you know the timeline before you register.

Warning:

You should not take your information from those Reddit discussions and AllNurses forums that rely on policies from the year 2023. As nursing admission requirements tend to change each year, you should only take the most updated information.

Nursing Exam FAQs

Can I get into nursing school without an entrance exam?
Yes, you can, but the options are very limited and also expensive.

Is the TEAS harder than the HESI?

The answer to the question, “Is the TEAS getting harder or is the TEAS harder than HESI?” is that it depends on your academic strengths. However, the TEAS exam’s reading portion is thought to be more difficult.

Does the TEAS exam expire?
Yes. Due to its limited TEAS score validity, the TEAS exam typically expires after one to two years. If you are preparing for your next try, you should review the retake policies.

Conclusion

The answer to the query of “Is the TEAS exam required for nursing school?” is that no, not all schools require the TEAS exam. But instead of this, you might need to take the HESI A2 exam or need to fulfill GPA requirements. Taking the TEAS exam will give you various opportunities to gain admission to affordable and reputable programs. So, it is not wise to limit your options by not taking the exam.

If you want to start your TEAS exam preparation, you should check this guide on how to create a 30-day study plan that actually works.