Admission Requirements

To get started, applicants must first complete the College Admission Requirements. Once completed, applicants are officially accepted to CVTC and placed on the program waiting list, if applicable. An applicant’s program eligibility date is the date their completed application is received.  If necessary, the application time will also be used to determine placement priority.  

Before beginning core program classes, all Academic Preparedness Requirements must also be completed as outlined below.  Applicants still working on Academic Preparedness Requirements may be accepted as Pre-Core. Pre-Core status allows applicants to take general education courses and continue working on necessary Academic Preparedness Requirements while maintaining their place in line for the program.  

When all Academic Preparedness Requirements are met and space is available in the core program, applicants are eligible to register for core Practical Nursing (543-level) courses. 

College Admission Requirements

• Submit an application for admission at cvtc.edu/apply
• Pay the one-time $30 application processing fee  

Program Academic Preparedness Requirements

Education Requirement – Submit one of the following:

• Official high school transcript which includes all courses taken, grades received, and date of graduation
• Copy of General Education Development (GED) certificate
• Copy of High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED)
• Official transcript showing completion of an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or higher degree. 

Assessment Range - Provide transcript or score sheet documentation verifying one of the following: 

• High school/GED/HSED GPA of 2.8 or higher
• College GPA of 2.2 or higher (6 or more credits)
• Associate or bachelor’s degree
• ACT® composite score of 23 or higher
• ACCUPLACER® (Next-Generation) composite score of 263 or higher (includes Reading, Writing and QAS)
• Classic ACCUPLACER® or Compass® scores (Contact Student Central at 715-833-6200 for acceptable score ranges)

Academic Prerequisites

• Submit proof of completion of 543-300 Nursing Assistant training that includes a clinical component.  Acceptable documentation is a Nurse Aide Directory card, a transcript or a diploma from a technical college, training agency or nursing home.  You do not need to be a Certified Nursing Assistant but must submit proof of successful course completion.  NOTE: The Nursing Assistant class does not qualify for financial aid.
• Completion of 806-177 General Anatomy & Physiology with a grade of “C” or better.
• Meet one of the HESI A2 options as follows:
  • Completion of the HESI A2 Exam with a score of 75 or higher in each of the following areas:  Anatomy & Physiology, Math, and English.  The English score is a composite of grammar, reading, and vocabulary.  It is recommended that you take the HESI assessment after you complete General Anatomy & Physiology. For more detailed information about CVTC's HESI requirement and to schedule a testing appointment go to cvtc.edu/HESI.
  • Enroll in NurseHub to complete and pass HESI preparatory courses in Anatomy & Physiology, Math, Reading, Grammar, and Vocabulary.  For detailed information about CVTC’s NurseHub HESI Preparatory course option – including cost, account set-up, and completion requirements – please visit cvtc.edu/NURSEHUB. 

Submit documentation to the Admissions Office at admissionsmail@cvtc.edu.   

Program “Academic Preparedness Verification (APV)” Form (Formerly CCE) - After completing all Academic Preparedness requirements, applicants must submit the APV Form to the Admissions Office. 

• If you're not taking prerequisite courses at CVTC and this is your last requirement:
  • Log into your CVTC Commons account.
  • Go to the "Forms" drop-down menu.
  • Select "Forms" → then click "Academic Preparedness Verification" under the Admissions section.
  • Click the "Academic Preparedness Verification" button.
  • Choose the middle radio button labeled: "Other admission requirement (e.g. Exam, transcript, licensure, etc.)",
  • Then click "Next".
  • Complete the form.
  • Click "Submit" at the bottom.
• If you’re completing Academic Preparedness requirements through CVTC courses:
  • You must wait until the end of the term to submit your APV Form.
  • The Admissions Office will email you near the end of the term (via your student email) with: The submission date and time
  • Directions for completing and submitting the form 

Once all the above items have been completed, you will be considered for enrollment based on current openings in the program. 

Your original application date and time will be used to determine placement into the program openings.

Additional Information

• Health History and Immunization Information – Core program students will receive an email from their program area when it is time to complete this step, and the message will include a specified deadline.
• Criminal Background Check - A background check is required before beginning core courses.  Students will receive notification from their program area when it is time to complete this step.  A fee will apply.
• Proof of current CPR Certification by the American Heart Association – BLS Provider level or the American Red Cross – Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider level is required of students before entering the clinical courses for this program.  CVTC offers 531-454 CPR-BLS Provider; find more information at cvtc.edu/seminars.  Proof must be verified with a current CPR card.  Class rosters, letters from instructors or employers, and online course certification are not acceptable.  Your instructor will ask for a copy of your card on the first day of your clinical courses.
• Clinical Compliance - to be in compliance with CVTC's partnering clinical agencies and the agencies' regulating bodies, for example the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), students must be prepared to abide by vaccination mandates and health and safety guidelines as dictated by those bodies.  
• General Education Courses – Students are strongly encouraged to complete the general education courses for the Practical Nursing program prior to starting the core program. 
• Course Sequence - Upon acceptance to the core program, students are required to follow the core course sequence (543 numbered courses) and semester credit load as identified on the Program Requirement Sheet.
• Pay for College - Visit cvtc.edu/payforcollege or call 715-833-6200 for information on financial aid availability and application procedures, scholarships, veteran’s benefits, payment methods, etc.
• Transfer Credit/Credit for Prior Learning - Students with prior college credit should submit an official transcript to the Admissions Office at admissionsmail@cvtc.edu for evaluation and possible transfer credit.
• Residency - In programs with limited capacity, preference will be given to Wisconsin residents.

*Official transcripts must be submitted directly to CVTC from the educational institution by USPS mail or other recognized mail service providers in a sealed envelope or from a digital credential service (i.e.,Parchment) approved by CVTC.

Last Updated: September 5, 2025 @ 3:32 p.m.