Now accepting applications for the February 2027 cohort. The deadline to have ALL requirements complete for February 2027 will be December 1, 2026. Class may fill before the given deadline.

All admission requirements listed below must be completed before acceptance into the program. A link to apply is located at the bottom of this page.

Applicants must complete an application and meet the following qualifications:

1. Age Requirement:

• Must be at least 17 years of age

2. CNA Certification:

• Must be a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) listed as eligible on the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Healthcare Worker Registry.
• Eligibility must be maintained throughout the program.

3. Education Requirement:

• Submit an official high school or GED transcript.
  • High school transcripts must be from a state-recognized institution.
  • Homeschooled students must provide proof of completion of an approved high school equivalency exam (GED®, HiSET®, or TASC™).
  • Transcripts must be sent in an official sealed envelope from the school OR electronically via parchment.com
• Online high school transcripts (e.g., Penn Foster, Acellus) are not accepted by the Illinois State Board of Education, regardless of accreditation. Students with online high school diplomas must take a high school equivalency exam.
• Any transcript or degree obtained in a foreign country must be professionally evaluated by a NACES sponsored company. More info can be found here: https://www.naces.org/members
• College transcripts can be accepted in place of a high school transcript IF the student completed at least 60 credit hours

4. ATI TEAS:

• Must be an in-person, proctored exam
  • Online proctored scores are NOT acceptable
  • If you test at another facility, you will need to pay ATI to send the scores to Capital Area SOPN and to let the admissions specialist know of your test date
• Testing at CASPN:
  • Up to three (3) attempts per cohort (Sept-Nov or March-May).
  • Passcode to enter on TEAS Registration page can be found in your confirmation email
• Passing scores (cannot round up):
  • Reading: 54%
  • Math: 54%
  • Science: 35%
  • English: 45%

The following requirements must be completed using a CASPN viewpointscreening.com account: 

5. Background Check & Drug Screening:

• Complete both through Viewpoint at your expense
• Admission will not be granted until:
  • The criminal background check is clear or a waiver is received.
  • Negative drug screen results are received
  • Both must be performed within 12 months of the program start date.

6. Physical Examination & Immunizations:

• Submit a physical examination (completed on the school’s form) to Viewpoint, performed within 12 months of the program start date.
• Required immunizations or titers:
  • Tdap
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
  • Hepatitis B series
  • Varicella (Chickenpox) or proof of disease
  • Two-step TB test (must be kept current throughout the program)
  • Current influenza vaccination
• Physical examinations and immunizations are the student’s financial responsibility

7. Health Insurance:  

• Must be uploaded to Viewpoint and maintained throughout the program

8. CPR Certification:

• Must be certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association.
• A current CPR card must be uploaded to Viewpoint and maintained throughout the program.
• Students cannot attend clinicals without valid certification.

Financial Aid Eligibility (if applicable):

• If you would like to be considered for financial aid at CASPN, please complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
• Our Federal school code is 016426 and will be listed under Captial Area Career Center

To remain enrolled in the program, students must maintain:
✅ Eligibility on the IDPH Healthcare Worker Registry
✅ Compliance with all immunization requirements
✅ Current CPR certification
✅ Annual TB testing

The Capital Area School of Practical Nursing (CASPN) admits students who meet admission requirements without discrimination based on sex, age, race, religion, national origin, marital status, ethnic background, disability, or sexual orientation.