ATI sets no TEAS passing score; each nursing program sets its own. Of the 171 programs here that publish a total minimum, the median is 62% and 91% ask for 58.7% (ATI’s Proficient level) or more. Many also set section floors, attempt limits or in-person rules, so check your exact program.
Summary
ATI sets no TEAS passing score; each nursing program sets its own. Of the 171 programs here that publish a total minimum, the median is 62% and 91% ask for 58.7% (ATI’s Proficient level) or more. Many also set section floors, attempt limits or in-person rules, so check your exact program.
263 program listings from 48 states and DC, checked October 25, 2026.
171 publish a numeric total minimum; 32 more name only an ATI preparedness level.
Median published total minimum: 62%; range 41.3% to 84%; most common 58.7% (37 programs).
At or above 58.7% (Proficient): 155 of 171 (91%). At or above 65%: 44%. At or above 70%: 22%. At or above 80%: 4%.
41 set at least one section minimum (Reading 30); 22 set all four.
41 require an in-person TEAS; 111 publish an attempt limit.
Published total minimums by range
Below 50%: 2 programs
50–54.9%: 2 programs
55–58.6%: 12 programs
58.7–59.9%: 40 programs
60–64.9%: 40 programs
65–69.9%: 37 programs
70–74.9%: 20 programs
75–79.9%: 11 programs
80–84.9%: 7 programs
Is there a TEAS passing score?
No. ATI sets no passing score; each school sets its own. ATI: “Most likely your school will want you falling into the proficient and above preparedness levels.”
Developmental: 0.0–40.0%
Basic: 40.7–58.0%
Proficient: 58.7–79.3%
Advanced: 80.0–91.3%
Exemplary: 92.0–100.0%
Minimum score versus competitive score
A published minimum is the lowest score a program accepts. Programs that rank applicants often admit students well above it. Examples from program pages:
California State University, Sacramento: minimum 75%. The TEAS is worth up to 30 points. Students selected for Fall 2025 averaged 93.22% (range 85.3% to 98.7%).
College of the Canyons: minimum 62%. The 62% cut score follows the California Community College Chancellor's Office recommendation; the college says a highly competitive student has an 85% composite.
Georgia State University (Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions): minimum 50%. The university reports that accepted applicants averaged 85% on the TEAS.
San Diego State University School of Nursing: minimum 80%. Transfer applicants are ranked on an 80-point system; admitted transfer students averaged a TEAS of 91.0 in Fall 2024.
The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) School of Nursing: minimum 60%. Scores of 70 in each category are considered competitive.
Towson University: minimum 58.7%. Towson says a competitive TEAS score is 85% to 86% on average; no minimum content-area scores are required.
Patterns worth knowing
Reading often has its own minimum: 30 programs set a Reading minimum, more than any other section. A strong Math or Science score cannot lift a Reading score that is under the floor. Examples: Samford University (Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing); Baptist Health College Little Rock; California State University, Los Angeles (Patricia A. Chin School of Nursing); Broward College.
Some programs want every section at a set level: 22 programs set a minimum in all four sections; 12 of them ask for 58.7% (Proficient) or more in each. One weak section can block an otherwise strong total. Examples: Samford University (Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing); California State University, Los Angeles (Patricia A. Chin School of Nursing); Broward College; West Georgia Technical College.
In-person testing rules are growing: 41 programs require an in-person TEAS and do not accept at-home scores. Where the page gives a start date, the rule took effect between 2023 and 2026. Check this before you book a remote exam. Examples: The University of Alabama in Huntsville (College of Nursing); Baptist Health College Little Rock; Yavapai College; California State University, Sacramento.
Attempt limits are common: 111 programs limit attempts, for example two a year or three in 12 months, and 9 cap attempts in total. A first attempt you prepared for protects your options. Examples: Samford University (Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing); The University of Alabama in Huntsville (College of Nursing); University of Arkansas Eleanor Mann School of Nursing; University of Arizona College of Nursing.
Some programs count only a first attempt: 7 programs use only a first attempt, at least in some cases; 5 of them are in California. Treat your first sitting as the one that counts. Examples: Chabot College; College of the Canyons; Los Angeles Pierce College; Los Angeles Valley College.
Nursing programs that do not require the TEAS or accept another exam
Coastal Alabama Community College, Nursing RN (with Practical Nurse Option) AAS-NUR (ADN), Bay Minette, AL: No numeric minimum published. TEAS not required for this program. Source: https://www.coastalalabama.edu/healthcare/nursing-rn-with-practical-nurse-option-aas-nur/ (checked 2026-10-25).
Baptist Health College Little Rock, Nursing - Traditional Track (AAS) (ADN), Little Rock, AR: Minimum total 60%; Reading 66%. TEAS optional: another exam is accepted instead. In-person TEAS required. TEAS scores must be no more than two years old and taken in an on-campus proctored setting; remote exams are not accepted. Source: https://www.bhclr.edu/academics/programs/nursing-programs/nursing-traditional/ (checked 2026-10-25).
Santa Fe College, Health Sciences programs including Nursing A.S. (ADN), Gainesville, FL: No numeric minimum published. TEAS not required for this program. Source: https://www.sfcollege.edu/academics/cte/health/advising/faq.html (checked 2026-10-25).
Western Iowa Tech Community College, Nursing - ADN (AAS), Sioux City, IA: Minimum total 66%. TEAS optional: another exam is accepted instead. Source: https://www.witcc.edu/programs/44/ (checked 2026-10-25).
Purdue University Northwest, BSN (Professional Nursing) - direct admission metrics, Hammond / Westville, IN: Minimum total 58.7% (Proficient level). TEAS optional: another exam is accepted instead. Source: https://www.pnw.edu/college-of-nursing/student-resources/student-handbooks/undergraduate-nursing-handbook/ (checked 2026-10-25).
Baton Rouge Community College, Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing (LPN), Baton Rouge, LA: Minimum total 55%. TEAS optional: another exam is accepted instead. TEAS and Accuplacer scores are valid for 3 years. Source: https://mybrcc.edu/academics/nursing-and-allied-health/tdpracticalnursing.php (checked 2026-10-25).
Missouri State University, BSN (Pre-licensure, 4-year), Springfield, MO: No numeric minimum published. TEAS not required for this program. Source: https://www.missouristate.edu/Nursing/Undergraduate/AdmissionReqs.htm (checked 2026-10-25).
UTHealth Houston Cizik School of Nursing, Pacesetter BSN (accelerated) (ABSN), Houston, TX: Recommended score (not a minimum): total 60%. TEAS optional: another exam is accepted instead. No more than two entrance-exam attempts in total (TEAS, HESI A2 or one of each); the last attempt counts. Take the full TEAS within two years of enrollment. Source: https://nursing.uth.edu/programs/bsn/pacesetter/teas (checked 2026-10-25).
Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Nursing programs (university entrance exam requirement) (other), Draper, UT: Minimum total 55%; Reading 60%. TEAS optional: another exam is accepted instead. A passing TEAS is valid for five years, and the exam may be taken three times within a twelve-month period. Source: https://www.joyce.edu/admissions/ (checked 2026-10-25).
Community College of Rhode Island (RI): Uses HESI A2, not ATI TEAS (Practical Nursing). Source: https://www.ccri.edu/nursing/PNadmissionguide.html (checked 2026-10-25).
Community College of Rhode Island (RI): Uses HESI A2, not ATI TEAS (Practical Nursing diploma). Source: https://www.ccri.edu/programs/practical-nursing-diploma/ (checked 2026-10-25).
New England Institute of Technology (RI): Uses Kaplan entrance exam, not ATI TEAS (ASN and PN). Source: https://www.neit.edu/academics/lpn-certificate-program (checked 2026-10-25).
Vermont State University (VT): Practical Nursing uses Accuplacer scores, not ATI TEAS. Source: https://vermontstate.edu/academic-programs/practical-nursing-certificate/ (checked 2026-10-25).
Community College of Philadelphia (PA): Uses Kaplan Pre-Admission exam, not ATI TEAS (composite 70). Source: https://www.ccp.edu/degree-programs/nursing/nursing-intake-process (checked 2026-10-25).
Rhode Island: no confirmed nursing program using the ATI TEAS was found.
Vermont: no confirmed nursing program using the ATI TEAS was found.
Collected from each institution's own admissions or program page. Every score and level shown appears in the verbatim quote from that page, and a score-type field says whether it is a minimum, a recommendation, a competitive or average figure, a points threshold or a percentile. Notes were rewritten from the same pages; records that could not be confirmed were dropped.
Checked October 25, 2026. Requirements change each admission cycle: confirm with the program before you register or apply. To report a change or a missing program, use the contact details on the About page.
It depends on the program: ATI does not set a passing score, and each school sets its own. Across the 171 programs in this dataset that publish a total minimum, the median is 62% and the range is 41.3% to 84%. The most common figure is 58.7%, the start of ATI’s Proficient level (37 programs). Competitive programs often admit applicants well above their minimum.
Is there a passing score for the ATI TEAS?
No. ATI says each school sets its own required score and that most schools will likely want students at the Proficient level or above. ATI’s Academic Preparedness Levels are Developmental 0.0–40.0%, Basic 40.7–58.0%, Proficient 58.7–79.3%, Advanced 80.0–91.3%, Exemplary 92.0–100.0%.
Is a 70 a good TEAS score for nursing school?
A 70% total is in ATI’s Proficient level (58.7–79.3%). In this dataset it meets 151 of 171 published total minimums (88%). It may not be competitive everywhere: some programs publish averages for admitted applicants well above 70, and some set section minimums that a 70% total does not guarantee.
Is 78% a good TEAS score?
78% sits near the top of ATI’s Proficient level; Advanced starts at 80.0%. In this dataset a 78% total meets 164 of 171 published total minimums (96%). Whether it is competitive depends on the program and its applicant pool, so check whether your program ranks applicants by TEAS score.
Do nursing programs look at TEAS section scores or only the total?
Many publish only a total, but 41 programs here set at least one section minimum. Reading is the most common (30 programs), and 22 set a minimum in all four sections. Meeting the total does not mean you meet a section floor, so check each line of your score report.
Which nursing schools don’t require the TEAS?
In this dataset, 3 program listings do not use the TEAS (Coastal Alabama Community College, Santa Fe College and Missouri State University), and 6 more accept another exam, such as the ACT, HESI A2 or Accuplacer, in place of the TEAS. Some schools use a different exam entirely, such as HESI A2 or Kaplan, and we found no confirmed TEAS program in Rhode Island and Vermont. Always check the program’s current admission page.
How many times can you take the TEAS for nursing school?
ATI requires no waiting period between attempts; schools set the rules. 111 programs here publish an attempt limit, such as two attempts a year or three in 12 months, and 9 cap attempts in total. ATI says every completed, scored exam counts as an attempt, and ATI reports that about 40% of students take the TEAS more than once.
Can I take the TEAS at home for nursing school?
Only if your program accepts remote scores. 41 programs here require an in-person TEAS, and ATI notes that some schools do not accept scores from remote or outside exams. Ask your program which testing format it accepts before you register.
TEASPATH is independent of ATI. ATI TEAS® and TEAS® are registered trademarks of Assessment Technologies Institute, L.L.C., which is not affiliated with and does not endorse TEASPATH. Practice results are not official scores or admission predictions.