To be considered for admission for the Practical Nursing (full- or part-time option) program, prospective students must complete the following:

  1. Application for Admission – click here to access.
  2. Copy of the applicant’s final high school transcript, documentation of completion of a high school equivalency (i.e. GED), or equivalent foreign education as verified by a GACTC-approved credential evaluation service. Applicants who apply during their senior year of high school must provide a copy of their final transcript following graduation from high school.
  3. PA Criminal Record Information: Applicants must submit a Criminal Background History for employment from the PA State Police that is within 1 year of the date of the start of the program to the GACTC. Applicants must request the background record from the PATCH system at https://epatch.state.pa.us/Home.jsp. The PA State Police Criminal Background Check is $22.00 (fee is subject to change). GACTC reserves the right to deny applicants to postsecondary educational programs based on the results of the criminal background check. GACTC reserves the right to accept an applicant with a criminal background based on the severity, date(s), and frequency of the conviction(s). View PA Criminal Background Directions. Once the background check has been provided to the applicant via the system, please submit to the Practical Nursing office.
  4. PA Child Abuse Clearance: Applicants must submit a PA Child Abuse Clearance that is within 1 year of the date of the start of the program to the GACTC. To request this clearance, please visit https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home to create an individual account. Please follow the instructions to apply for the PA Child Abuse History Clearance. The purpose of the clearance is School Employee. When your report is ready, (you will receive an email when it is ready), please provide to the Practical Nursing office. There is a $13.00 fee for the PA Child Abuse History Clearance (fee is subject to change). The GACTC reserves the right to deny applicants entrance to postsecondary educational programs based on the results of the PA Child Abuse Clearance. View PA Child Abuse Clearance Directions.
  5. Federal Criminal History Fingerprinting: Applicants must submit a Federal Criminal History Fingerprinting, please visit https://www.identogo.com There is a $26.20 fee (fee is subject to change). Please follow the steps on website. Click on “Get Fingerprinted”, select fingerprinting service by state (PA), click on “Digital Fingerprinting”, and enter service code (1KG6NX). You must have a current email address to allow correspondence. Click on “Schedule Manage Appointment”, choose form of identification you will be providing. Visit Identogo Center to complete fingerprinting. Applicants must submit the confirmation receipt to adulted@gactc.edu.
  6. TEAS Pre-admission test. Applicants that may have completed courses in a practical or registered nurse program, or have completed the TEAS recently, may not need to complete the TEAS exam. Please contact the Practical Nursing office at (814) 941-8324 or practicalnursing@gactc.edu to discuss. To schedule the TEAS exam, please follow these instructions: Create an account at https://atitesting.com/. Instructions on creating an account are available here. Once account is created, you will be able to see available testing dates and locations. The test fee is $111.00, payable through the ATI website (fee is subject to change).
    1. 2025 TEAS testing dates at the GACTC include the following:
      • Tuesday, March 11th 9 am
      • Wednesday, March 26th 5 pm
      • Tuesday, April 8th 9 am
      • Wednesday, April 23rd 5 pm
      • Tuesday, May 6th 9 am
      • Wednesday, May 28th 5 pm
      • Tuesday, June 3rd 9 am
      • Wednesday, June 25th 5 pm
      • Tuesday, July 8th 9 am
      • Wednesday, July 23rd 5 pm
      • Tuesday, August 5th 9 am
      • Wednesday, August 20th 5 pm
      • Tuesday, August 26th 9 am
    2. Please utilize these helpful resources to prepare for the TEAS exam:
  7. Upon submission of the admissions requirements and completion of the TEAS exam (if applicable), applicant will be scheduled for an interview with the Practical Nursing Coordinator or Practical Nursing faculty member.
  8. After review of all admissions requirements, student will be notified about acceptance into the program.
  9. After receiving acceptance to the program, a $100.00 nonrefundable deposit is due. Payments may be made online via GACTC Student Portal, cash or check, payable to the GACTC. For instructions to pay online, please click here GACTC Student Portal Online Deposit Instructions.

 

Upon acceptance to the GACTC Practical Nursing Program, new students will receive information about the required physical exam, drug screening, and other health related requirements.

GACTC reserves the right to deny admission and/or readmission to any student for an adult education program if, in the opinion of GACTC authorities, his/her admission is not in the best interest of the student or GACTC.