Nursing school prerequisites by state: what you need before you apply

Nursing school prerequisites are not standardized nationally. State nursing boards set minimum education standards, but individual programs layer their own requirements on top — which means two nursing schools in the same state can have meaningfully different prerequisite lists. Before you can apply, you need to know exactly what your target programs require, not what a generic list says.

The short answer: most programs require anatomy and physiology (often two semesters), microbiology, chemistry, and English composition. BSN programs add nutrition, statistics, developmental psychology, and sociology. The variation comes in credit hours, lab requirements, grade minimums, and how recently courses must have been completed.

Quick-scan summary

How state boards and programs divide the responsibility

State boards of nursing — like the California Board of Registered Nursing or the Texas Board of Nursing — set minimum requirements for program approval. Programs must meet those minimums to receive state approval and, ultimately, produce graduates who can sit for the NCLEX.

However, boards don’t typically dictate a specific prerequisite list to applicants. What they regulate is curriculum content and clinical hours. The prerequisites programs require are largely the programs’ own decisions — shaped by what courses students need to succeed in the nursing curriculum.

This creates a two-layer system: the board sets a floor, and programs build above it. A competitive BSN program at a state university may require 15 or more prerequisite courses, while a community college ADN program in the same state may require seven.

The practical implication: always check your specific target program, not your state’s board website.

ADN prerequisites: what most programs require

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs are typically offered at community colleges and run two to three years total, including prerequisites. Admission is competitive, and prerequisite completion is the primary filter.

Most ADN programs require:

• Anatomy & Physiology I and II (with labs) — the most universally required courses
• Microbiology (with lab)
• English Composition (one semester, sometimes two)
• Chemistry — general or intro chemistry, sometimes with lab
• Psychology — introductory or general psychology

Many programs also require math (college algebra or higher) and may require a certified nursing assistant (CNA) course or completion of a patient care technician program as a prerequisite or co-requisite.

Grade requirements matter significantly. Most programs require a C or better in each prerequisite. Competitive programs — especially in high-demand states like California, Florida, and Texas — may use a points-based ranking system where a B earns more points than a C. Retaking courses to improve grades is common and generally allowed, with most programs counting the higher grade.

BSN prerequisites: a broader science and social science base

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs, typically offered at four-year universities, require more prerequisite coursework because they’re building toward a four-year degree, not just licensure.

Beyond the core sciences, BSN programs commonly require:

• Statistics — biostatistics or intro statistics
• Nutrition — one semester course
• Developmental psychology — lifespan or child development, depending on program
• Sociology — intro level
• Microbiology — with lab
• Chemistry I and II — some programs require both semesters
• Speech or Communication — some programs include this

Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field often have very specific prerequisite lists and strict grade minimums — sometimes a B or better in all sciences.

How prerequisites vary across states

While the core science courses appear on virtually every list, meaningful variation exists in specific requirements, timelines, and program structures.

This table reflects typical patterns, not exhaustive state mandates. The only authoritative source is each program’s current admissions page.

How long prerequisites take to complete

The timeline depends on how many you still need and how many courses you can take per semester.

If you’re starting from scratch (no college credits):

• ADN prerequisites typically take 1.5 to 2 years of part-time study, or 1 year full-time
• BSN prerequisites may take 2 years if taking a traditional load

If you have some college credits:

• Review your transcripts against the specific program’s list
• Some credits may transfer; others may not (lab requirements, grade thresholds, or age of credit may disqualify them)

Timeline-stretching factors:

• Many programs require prerequisites within the last 5 to 10 years. Chemistry or biology taken 15 years ago may not count.
• Anatomy and physiology are often specifically date-restricted — programs want recent completion, typically within five to seven years.
• High-demand courses have waitlists at community colleges. A&P II with lab may not be available every semester.

The realistic timeline for completing all prerequisites before applying to an ADN or BSN program, starting from no college science credits, is 12 to 24 months. Plan accordingly.

Prerequisite credit from another school

Your prerequisites do not need to come from the school you’re applying to. Most programs accept transfer credits from accredited institutions.

What programs evaluate:

• Accreditation of the sending institution. Credits from regionally accredited schools (the standard for community colleges and universities) are accepted. Credits from unaccredited or nationally accredited-only schools may not be.
• Grade earned. A C from another college typically satisfies a C minimum. Some programs are stricter about grades on transfer credits.
• Lab component. If a science course required a lab, your transcript or course description needs to show you completed the lab. Online-only A&P taken during the COVID period sometimes lacked labs — flag this with programs if it applies to you.
• Course equivalency. Programs may ask for a course description or syllabus if the course title doesn’t make the content clear.

If prerequisites were taken at a community college and you’re applying to a university BSN, the credits will typically transfer fine for prerequisite purposes — even if they don’t count toward the upper-division BSN credit hour total.

What to do if you don’t meet requirements yet

1. Build a realistic timeline. List every prerequisite for your target programs and identify which you still need.
2. Enroll at a community college. Taking prerequisites at a community college while working or before entering a four-year program is standard and widely accepted.
3. Retake courses with weak grades. If you earned a C in A&P I and the program runs a points-based system, retaking for a B or A can meaningfully improve your rank.
4. Check co-requisite options. Some programs allow certain prerequisites to be in progress when you apply (co-requisites), which can shorten your timeline.
5. Apply to multiple programs. Prerequisite requirements vary enough that you may qualify for some programs before you qualify for others.

The most common mistake is applying before prerequisites are fully completed when a program requires completion before application — not before starting the program. Read each program’s requirement carefully.

ADN vs. BSN: which has harder prerequisites to meet?

ADN programs are generally more accessible on prerequisites. They require fewer courses, are typically offered locally at community colleges, and apply lower GPA thresholds. BSN programs at four-year universities often require more courses, have higher GPA competition, and may require statistics and social science courses that ADN programs don’t.

The tradeoff: BSN graduates enter a stronger position for hospital employment, and many health systems now require BSN for hiring RNs. A common path is starting with ADN, working as an RN, and completing a BSN through an RN-to-BSN bridge program.

See the full comparison at ADN vs. BSN: which is right for you?

Frequently asked questions

Can online prerequisite courses count? It depends on the course and the program. Online lecture courses are widely accepted. Online lab simulations are a gray area — programs had more flexibility during the pandemic, but many have reverted to requiring in-person labs for A&P and microbiology. Confirm with your target programs before enrolling in an online science course.

Do AP credits count toward nursing prerequisites? Sometimes. Some nursing programs accept AP credits (Biology, Chemistry) for prerequisite fulfillment. Others require college-level completion, not high school AP credits. Check the specific program.

What if a prerequisite has an expiration date and mine has expired? You’ll need to retake it. Most programs are firm on this — especially for A&P, which is considered foundational to the entire nursing curriculum. Retaking an expired prerequisite is extremely common and not a red flag on your application.

Can prerequisites be in progress when I apply? Check each program. Many allow one or two prerequisites to be in progress at the time of application, with the expectation of completion before the program starts. Others require all prerequisites completed before your application is reviewed.

Next steps

• Nursing school application timeline: when to do what
• Nursing school prerequisites: what the courses cover and why they’re required
• ADN vs. BSN: how to choose
• How to choose a nursing school