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

  1. Application for Admission – click here to access. Please select the Academic Year of the program you are applying for using this information:
    • For the full-time program that begins in August 2026, please select Academic Year 2026-2027.
    • For the part-time program that begins in September 2026, please select Academic Year 2026-2028 (PT PN).
    • For the full-time program that begins in August 2027, please select Academic Year 2027-2028.
  1. Copy of the applicant’s final high school transcript, documentation of completion of an approved high school equivalency (i.e. GED), or equivalent foreign education. Applicants with non-U.S. diplomas must submit documentation that has been evaluated by an approved international credentialing service. The National Association of Credential Evaluations Services (NACES) provides a list of evaluation services. Applicants who apply during their senior year of high school must provide a copy of their final transcript following graduation from high school.
  2. 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 Adult Education office.
  3. 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 Adult Education 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.
  4. Federal Criminal History Fingerprinting: Applicants must submit a Federal Criminal History Fingerprinting, please visit https://www.identogo.com There is a $24.95 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. View Fingerprinting Directions here.
  5. 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 Adult Education office at (814) 941-8324 or adulted@gactc.edu to discuss. TEAS test results may be accepted within 3 years of the applicant’s intended program start date/first scheduled class session.  TEAS test results from online proctored exams are not accepted. Applicants may only complete the TEAS test twice for an application period. For example, an applicant applying for the 2026-2027 academic year may only take the TEAS test twice. 
    1. 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. There is a fee for the TEAS pre-entrance exam. The fee is subject to change and is listed at checkout during exam registration.
    2. 2026 TEAS testing dates at the GACTC include the following:
      1. Tuesday, February 3rd at 9am
      2. Thursday, February 12th at 5pm
      3. Tuesday, March 3rd at 9am
      4. Thursday, March 12th at 5pm
      5. Tuesday, April 7th at 9am
      6. Thursday, April 23rd at 5pm
      7. Tuesday, May 5th at 9am
      8. Thursday, May 14th at 5pm
      9. Tuesday, June 2nd at 9am
      10. Thursday, June 25th at 5pm
      11. Tuesday, July 7th at 9am
      12. Thursday, July 16th at 5pm
      13. Tuesday, August 4th at 9am
      14. Thursday, August 6th at 5pm
    3. Please utilize these helpful resources to prepare for the TEAS exam:
  6. 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.
  7. After review of all admissions requirements, student will be notified about acceptance into the program.
  8. 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.

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.

PLEASE NOTE: Some criminal offenses could be cause to deny admission into the Practical Nursing program and/or could prevent licensure as a practical nurse by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. If students have a criminal history, they are expected to fully disclose same during the admissions process. 

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.