Admission Timeline

Admission to the Practical Nursing Certificate Program is competitive. Early applications are encouraged!

  • Early admission period: October 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026 (waived application fee!)
  • Regular admission period: February 1 to April 15, 2026
  • Rolling admission: April 16 to June 1, 2026, or until program seats are filled

How to Apply

Candidates must prequalify for entry by completing the TEAS 7 exam on or after July 1, 2025, then submit the following:

  • Penn State Berks Practical Nursing Program Application (link below)
Practical Nursing Application474.24 KB
  • Penn State's Undergraduate Nondegree Enrollment Form (complete the online form, print, sign and date)
  • A copy of your government issued photo id card (ex. driver's license, U.S. Passport)
  • $75 Non-Refundable Application Fee (check or money order payable to Penn State University)
  • Two signed letters of professional reference
  • Personal essay describing why you are interested in pursuing a nursing career
  • Official Transcripts: (electronic transcripts may be emailed to:  [email protected])
    • High school transcript and/or GED transcript
    • College, technical school, or trade school transcript(s) from each school attended (regardless of degree completion)

Drop off or mail your application to:
   
Penn State Berks
Williams Cottage - Continuing Education
Attn:  Cathleen Phillips
2100 Stoudt Road
Reading, PA 19610

Accepted Students:

Accepted student will be required to place a non-refundable $350 seat deposit to hold their position in the program cohort.

Clinical Clearance Requirements:

Six months prior to the program start date, accepted students will be provided directions to complete clinical facility partner clearance requirements using a third-party vendor, CastleBranch.  Students must be able to provide:

  • Federal (FBI) Criminal History Report*,
  • PA Child Abuse History Clearance
  • PA State Police Background Check
  • Drug screening
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) for the provider certification
  • Proof of valid personal health insurance coverage
  • Proof of professional student nurse liability insurance
  • Physical examination
  • Vaccinations including MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, TB Skin Test, Tetanus, and Diphtheria & Pertussis (Tdap) and Influenza.
* Penn State Practical Nursing Program will not discriminate in the acceptance process due to a criminal history; however, anyone with a positive criminal background check (felony or misdemeanors) may be accepted into the program PENDING clinical facility placement.  If a clinical facility denies a student access to their facility for clinical experiences, the student will not be able to progress through the program and therefore, acceptance will be denied.  In addition, the Penn State Practical Nursing program cannot guarantee that candidates with a positive criminal background will be eligible to obtain licensure per PA State Laws (“The Professional Nursing Law” Act 69, P.L. 409, No. 10, and P.L 233, No. 64; Older Adults Protective Services Act, Act 169 as amended by Act 13, P.L. 233, and No. 64).